Yangon city plans for a "green and gold metropolis by 2040"

Yangon city plans for a "green and gold metropolis by 2040"

Published on Thursday, 18 July 2013 22:33

As Myanmar embarks on a series of economic and political reforms, Yangon is undergoing a refurbishment plan that aims to see the former capital develop into a "green and gold metropolis by 2040" and join the ranks of Asia's thriving cities.

The proposed Strategic Urban Development Plan of the Greater Yangon involves upgrading the former capital's major infrastructure, public transport, roads, water supply and housing projects to accommodate over 10 million residents by 2040.

The Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) is working together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other partners to implement part of the plan which will target key areas in urgent need of reform.

"We have finalised the master plan this month and submitted to YCDC. Now, we are waiting for the green light from YCDC to move forward," Mr. Sanjo Akihito, Senior Representative of JICA told Eleven Media.

JICA has spent US$ 3 million on a feasibility study for the master plan, and provided an interim report which identified four areas where urgent action should be taken targeting transportation, water supply, garbage disposal and cargo.

One of JICA's proposals is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system which will ease daily commuting between Yangon's many townships and commercial hubs. It is also looking into upgrading Yangon's circular rail service and as well as building a monorail system to ease congestion on the cities narrow roads. However, they acknowledge this would be very expensive.

JICA has also sent experts to study how BRT transportation systems work in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"BRT system is a possible transportation system to implement. Now Myanmar experts are studying in Indonesia," said Toe Aung, Deputy head of department at the YCDC.

However, there may be some difficulties due to narrow roads and flyovers in Yangon, Mr. Akihito pointed out. A two-tier flyover at the bustling Bayintnaung junction in Yangon will be opened to the public in January next year and there are currently another two flyover projects under construction.

Another urgent area in need of renovation is Yangon's water supply system. JICA is waiting for approval from the YCDC to begin a water treatment and supply project which will provide drinking water to the whole of Yangon.

It also called for an upgrade of the water-supply system to meet the needs of a rising population and urged authorities to seek new sources of fresh water, ensure an effective and efficient distribution system, reduce waste water, and establish a water-tax collection system.

Testing is underway at Lagoonpyin and Nyaung Na Pin areas to create water supply projects for the whole of Yangon city.

JICA is also working on the Thilawa Special Economic Zone in Yangon. The first phase of the project which aims to complete a deep seaport project is expected to be completed by 2015.

These are just some of the many projects currently under the Strategic Urban Development Plan of the Greater Yangon.

"The plan is like a drawing a portrait, we can even expect to visualise the portrait by 2020 which means the city's necessary infrastructures, transportation, roads and bridges, satellite township housing projects and water and power supply will be likely to be accomplished," said Toe Aung.

Other plans to upgrade the city include the multi-million dollar Hanthawaddy International Airport Project. The government is now scrutinising the potential applicants to construct the airport which is expected to accommodate 10 million travellers a year. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2017.

The Myanmar government and the Korean government have also agreed to build a bridge over Yangon River to connect central Yangon and Dala Township - an industrial hub.

Yangon was founded in 1755 and was a former capital of Myanmar. It continues to the country's largest city and commercial hub and has many old colonial buildings which conservationists are trying to preserve and restore. The city is home to 6 million people according to government estimates and is expected to grow to 10 million between 2025-2030.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/yangon-city-plans-for-a-green-and-gold-metropolis-by-2040/