The Myanmar Quickstep.

Myanmars progress in urban development

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development
Alistair Blunt Urban Development Specialist Myanmar ADB, Manila, Philippines July Alistair Blunt, Adviser to2013 Ministry of Construction

ADB 17th July 2013

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

CONTENTS 1. Background Political and Administrative Environment 2. The Government Departments involved in Urban Development 3. The Issues: by sector 4. The proposed approach and the changing role of Government 5. Some conclusions

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

Background Facts Myanmar Population estimated to be about 62 million Urban Population estimated to be about 17.5 million or 28% Projected urban population 2030 is 30 million Urban growth rate 2.9% p.a. National growth rate 1.29% Consists of Seven States, Seven Regions and the Union Territories Union has bicameral legislature, and States/Regions have an Assembly. Each state has its own executive headed by a Chief Minister

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

BACKGROUND Factors that contribute to the uneven

development Decentralisation without devolution Reluctance/lack of experience in lower levels of government to making decisions Lack of Capacity Lack of Policy Lack of Data No long-term comprehensive development plan Lack of Legislative foundation for spatial planning or urban development Top heavy approval system for plans 32 Ministers The forthcoming Elections in 2015

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

Stakeholder Consultation Order 27/2013 introduced some representation on the Development Committees (does not apply to the major cities) No representative council below level of State/Region, except at Ward level. Traditional consultation with the yami yapa (the parents of the community)

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

Ministry of Construction
Two DGs, one for Public Works and one for Human Settlements and Housing Development. Public works concerned with National Roads and Government buildings DHSHD responsible for Spatial Planning and Housing, including government land management, government housing projects, including public housing, rental housing, upgrading, serviced plots and Special Economic Zones

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

Ministry of Agriculture Approval of land conversions Dams for reservoirs for irrigation and drinking water Ministry of Forestry Environmental Impact Analysis requirements Ministry of Energy Dams for power plants Power supply Development Board (located in State and Region administration, previously Minister of Border Areas, National Races and Development Affairs) Local roads Water and sanitation Drainage and Flood control Solid Waste Note these three are under the CDCs in Yangon and Mandalay. Transportation planning responsibility of State or Region.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

State and Region Government Structure 8 Sector Ministries: Finance and Planning Economic development Agriculture and Livestock Breeding (includes freshwater fishing) Energy, Electricity, Mining and Forestry Industry Transport, Communications and Construction Social affairs (includes disaster preparedness, conservation of cultural heritage, museums etc. Theatres and exhibitions) Management (the activities of the development Board) All central ministry representative staff must report to the State or Region Minister as well as Central Government.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

ISSUES FOR THE URBAN SECTOR

1. Global Warming Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in 2010. Reported that up to 200,000 people died. Overall climate vulnerability factor to 2030 is classified as acute (Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Sydney. WASH Sector Brief. 2011).

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

2. Sanitation
14 percent of all urban households without adequate sanitary facilities Approximately only 5.5% of Yangon population connected to main sewerage system, but very old and in poor state of repair, Nay Pyi Taw 10% and Mandalay 0% 18% of Yangon has septic tanks. Grey water into drainage system and hence rivers and streams Toxic industrial waste water flowing into sources of drinking water supply Deep pits used for final disposal of waste from septic tanks. Penetration of underground water supply. Plans for sewerage service for Mandalay prepared by Koreans, and JICA proposal for 36% coverage in Yangon.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

3. Solid Waste
In Yangon, average solid waste generated 0.396kg/day/person, of which 64% collected (1400 tons). In urban areas as a whole, about 60% 3-Rs not generally accepted official policy, Informal recycling sector significant sold to junk yards, sold on to China. Many families practice separation at source and sell or give to garbage collectors Final disposal has been sanitary (?) land fill or for medical burned. No system for toxic waste. Mandalay now attempting alternative solutions such as waste to power through a BOT scheme

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

4. Drainage and Flood Control
Most areas have some drainage and flood mitigation work, but these unable to cope with even two year floods Lack of Drainage Master Plans Major problems caused by run off from surrounding areas, and overflow from river systems. Proposals prepared for Mandalay by Korean company and being prepared under JICA funding for Yangon.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development 5. Water

25% of urban population do not have access to safe water source, 2004. 42% of Yangon population have access to piped water, with rest using private tube wells, and other sources Mandalay: Piped water available in 4 of 5 townships, poor service in one of these, No system in new township of Anamapura with no system. Main sources of water include surface water, tube wells and reservoirs. NRW/Water loss up to 60% Water quality very poor, Yangon 25% of water treated and none in Mandalay, except primary sedimentation. Irregular service in Mandalay , 8 hours/day Tube well boring not controlled.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

6. Housing
States main focus is providing housing for public sector employees (Constitutional requirement) 250,000 serviced plots were provided over past 20 years Recent performance only average 1245 units/year for past five years. Estimated need of 150,000 units/year in urban areas Limited housing finance available from private sector. However, main thrust of Government is to continue large housing projects such as Ayawan Yadana project in Yangon, for 20,000 units Proposals for new Housing and Construction Bank National Housing Development Board

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

7. Transport
Until 2 years ago, only Government were able to import cars. Only cars for Myanmar citizens was the Myanmar Jeep. Relaxation has seen a rapid growth in private car ownership and subsequent traffic congestion. Railway system very run down. In Yangon, circular line for commuters carries only 3% of passenger traffic. Transport planning not seen as being responsibility of urban or city development councils, the exception being Yangon with the JICA project.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development 8. Land

No land policy, being developed by In Yangon, Mandalay and NPT, Government Minister of Forests & Environment. land has been transferred to CDCs Land Management Committee. 2012 Farmland Law and the Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Land Law restricts change of use of rice land Limited freehold land, Government Land, leased on 60 year leases (grant land) for citizens and 30 years for non citizens System of payment through mutual benefit. Lease transferable and renewable Land Tax charged on leased land. Property tax based on size and type of building, three location variations No zoning plans though Yangon and Mandalay are preparing one based on existing land uses

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development 9. Finance Sources of local government income: Property Tax Wheels Tax Alcohol Tax Toll and Irrigation Fees Construction Fees Central Government subventions Loans with approval of central government Local Government receives back about 7-10 percent of what it collects for central government Utility charges not related to real costs Contracts for services delivered by private sector often unrelated to performance except in most basic way (e.g. Water project in Mandalay)

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

POLICY PROPOSED Principles 1. Government as Facilitator not as Implementer 2. Avoiding unnecessary competition through planning 3. Identifying the most suitable and cost effective location for Government investment 4. Clear way of choosing priorities for investment 5. Green city approach to urban planning 6. Inclusivity as a principle for urban design 7. Including plans for financial support required 8. Use of property tax to discourage land speculation and inefficient land development 9. Encouraging investment in housing through development of housing finance sector A number of policies appear to be accepted, though some are not fully understood by the decision makers. These follow this slide

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

Government as Facilitator not as Implementer
Revised Structure and functions of DHSHD Department responsible for Policy and Planning, separated from departments with Administrative and Implementing functions Urban and Regional Planning Urban and Regional Planning Division has three sections: urban planning, urban design and infrastructure and Research and Training Tasks will include development of urban development policy, development of a spatial planning law, planning standards and monitoring the implementation of the proposed planning system and monitoring conformity with hierarchy of plans and planning standards Urban Planning establishes planning system and monitors implementation of hierarchy of plans. Also oversees preparation of NSDF Urban Design monitors and quality controls structure, master and local plans, checks conformity, advises Minister in case of dispute or recall Research and Training will prepare and revise planning standards.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

Government as Facilitator not as Implementer (2) Housing Prepares national housing policy Project Inspection: quality control of State and Region Government projects 2 Housing Development divisions, to cover the whole country, overseeing housing strategies for their sections of the country Works closely with Design and Planning Department Design and Planning Department Planning Standards with Development Division of Public Works DG. Establishes design criteria for public housing Establishes structural design criteria to minimise disaster risk Responsible for research on building materials

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development Government as Facilitator not as Implementer 3 Regions and States Temporary department and will form decentralised departments at State and Region level Will receive hands-on training under the Urban and Regional Planning Department All changes under discussion, but are in government draft Housing development is being decentralised, but in present political climate with the forthcoming 2015 Elections, the Government wants to be seen to be delivering. Hence large scale Government housing projects still being proposed. Also the creation of a National Housing Development Board. Not integrated with decentralised development departments.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

Avoiding unnecessary competition through planning and identifying the most suitable and cost effective location for Government investment. New system of planning: planning hierarchy, with conformity of lower level plans with higher. Identifying locations with competitive and collaborative advantage, while ensuring access to all necessary basic administrative, health and educational services are located such that the whole population has equal access. This system is being advocated by DHSHD

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

Green City Design

Land uses planned to minimise travel distances Strategies to minimise private car usage, including public transport with dedicated bus lanes, light rail, etc, restrictions on parking in CBD, road user charges, reducing parking available in office developments, park and ride options etc. Improved solid waste disposal 3 Rs, safe final disposal, use of biological waste as source of fuel or fertilizers, etc, with

Increasing coverage of population access to water and full sewerage systems

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

CONCLUSIONS
Myanmars Government style is dominated by the military thinking. Extension of institutionalised democracy slow Devolution of power limited. Fundamentals of reform taking a back seat because of election pressures. Too few qualified middle and senior staff. Positions still given to Armed forces personnel. English is rarely spoken by those less than 40 years old, which makes transfer of knowledge and skills by international experts a problem.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

CONCLUSIONS cont. Despite these constraints, many changes are being developed. Investment laws have changed to facilitate foreign investment. Land policies are being developed, supported by among others, FAO and UN Habitat. Work has started on a draft spatial planning law, and Work is about to start on the Housing Policy. Building Codes are being prepared with help of UN Habitat. Investors are being sought to improve water supply in a number of cities. Proposals have been prepared for waste water treatment and storm water drainage in the major cities of Yangon and Mandalay. Solid waste is seen as a problem and means of using the waste are being considered, although most by being offered for BOT approach, without prior study by the City.

The Myanmar Quickstep, Myanmars progress in urban development

Thank You