Rangoon Set to Sprawl in New Development Plan

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Rangoon Set to Sprawl in New Development Plan

RANGOON — Burma’s former capital is set to sprawl in all directions under an ambitious urban development plan unveiled on Wednesday, which includes the revival of a controversial proposal for a satellite town on the western bank of the Hlaing River.

Mayor Hla Myint presented the 8.1 trillion kyats (US$7.4 billion), 119,000-acre expansion plan to a session of the Rangoon Parliament on Wednesday, outlining the staged development of seven new satellite towns, beginning with construction to the northeast of East Dagon Township and in a 30,000 acre allotment comprised from parts of Kyimyindaing, Seikgyikanaungto and Twante Townships to the city’s southwest.

The proposal was unanimously accepted for discussion during next week’s sitting, despite the reservations of some lawmakers about the inclusion of the southwestern proposal in the plan.

Read more: http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/rangoon-set-to-sprawl-in-new-development-plan.html