Yangon heritage worth saving

YANGON The Yangon Heritage Trust outlines its conservation strategy for the country’s former capital.

Irrawaddy media reported the “Yangon Heritage Strategy” is a 150-page report that outlines YHT’s vision and strategy to combine heritage conservation with sustainable development.

The strategy includes 24 action plans on issues ranging from expansion of green space to improved streetscapes to transform downtown Yangon into a future international hub for arts and culture.

It includes the introduction of long-term measures to protect the city’s heritage, the report said.

YHT proposes the creation of a coordinating body to oversee urban planning, promote public awareness of the importance of heritage conservation, and introduce a regulatory framework based on a revised heritage law.

It would include mandatory building height regulations across the city to protect heritage areas.

In the action plans, YHS recommends encircling Shwedagon Pagoda with a series of public parks; restoring government buildings as public libraries, hotels and retail outlets and upgrading the circle-line train and bus system to improve public transport while establishing commuter ferries on the city’s waterways to address transportation challenges.

It also recommends using the waterfront for public recreation and opening a view of heritage buildings along Strand Road.

YHT chairman and founder, Thant Myint-U, was quoted saying that the strategy was not a master plan.

“It is a collection of YHT ideas, based on four years of work on these issues and meant as a contribution to government and public debate at this critical moment in Yangon’s development.”

Yangon Heritage Trust is a non-governmental organisation to conserve historic buildings in Yangon.

In February, YHT has been recognised in the 2016 President’s Excellent Performance Award along with 32 other groups striving to develop the country’s economy. It was the only NGO among the awardees.

YHT awards Blue Plaques to distinguish Yangon top architectural landmarks. Blue Plaques are permanent signs installed at a public place to commemorate a link between the location and a famous person, event, or landmark. They serve as a kind of historical marker.