Yangon: Prime candidate for world heritage status?

For anyone who has been in Yangon recently, it is clear that it is a city undergoing dramatic change. After decades of somnolence under Myanmar's military government, the recent political and economic thaw is producing rapid, seemingly uncontrolled development. During my visit earlier this year, traffic jams were among the worst I've experienced and construction hoardings were ubiquitous.

Typical street in central Yangon

However, Yangon remains a gem by any measure. Not only does it boast the highest number of colonial-era buildings anywhere in South-East Asia but its Shwedagon Pagoda should be on everyone must-visit list. As such, I agree with UNESCO National Project Officer Daw Ohnmar Myo's assessment, reported this week in the Myanmar Times, that Yangon is a prime candidate to be listed as a world heritage site.

Colonial-era building near Yangon's waterfront

While such a designation could also help to ensure protection of the city's many architectural treasures, whether an application is ever made remains an open question. Not only is there some confusion as to which level of government should take responsibility for coordinating the application, but certain business interests are unlikely to appreciate the limits on development that a world heritage designation would entail. Let's hope the case for heritage preservation wins the day.

Yangon's famed Shwedagon Pagoda