1. Introduction The city of Yangon is undergoing a period of rapid change and development following recent political transitions in Myanmar that have spurred foreign and domestic investment. Real estate development within the historic downtown of Yangon, commonly referred to as the central business district (CBD), is escalating as are real estate values. Most of the development could be described as ‘ad hoc’, raising concerns within the city and internationally about community preservation and heritage conservation, among other vulnerabilities. The densely-populated, diverse community of the CBD lives amidst a high concentration of British colonial era buildings, which have historically provided affordable residences, commercial units and invaluable public spaces.
The current legal system in Myanmar exacerbates the issue of development control in the CBD. There are no heritage protection laws that protect colonial-era architecture. Unclear legal requirements and rights have resulted in uncertain building and apartment ownership, poorly-defined tenure status, and confusion as to landlord-tenant responsibilities and service provision. Widespread informal real estate transactions and arrangements have made property law in Myanmar a sensitive issue that is not openly discussed. These gaps within the legal framework must be addressed in tandem with policies that foster equitable heritage conservation, community preservation and development in the CBD.
This report was prepared in the fall of 2014 for the Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT), a nongovernmental organization that advocates for the conservation of the rich heritage of downtown Yangon. YHT recognizes the potential for Yangon to be a model for equitable, progressive heritage conservation that improves quality of life for all residents. Yangon has a unique opportunity to develop heritage conservation tools that can empower local communities, deter displacement, encourage appropriate development and conserve spaces of value. Now is the time to implement this goal, as Yangon and its CBD are still in the early stages of development and economic transition. The purpose of this report is to assist YHT in its mission by outlining strategies and opportunities
Image 2 - Yangon’s Central Business District (CBD) at night
Yangon at a Turning Point: Progress, Heritage, and Community - 5
