Myanmar to conduct survey as 1m still live in low-quality homes in Yangon

Myanmar to conduct survey as 1m still live in low-quality homes in Yangon

Published on Saturday, 17 August 2013 17:40

Houses seen inside Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone (Photo - EMG)

Myanmar is planning to conduct a nationwide housing survey to address the issue of housing shortages, especially in the Yangon area where over a million residents still live in low-quality houses, according to sources from the Ministry of Construction. 

At present, the population in Yangon has increased more than ever and Yangonites are facing skyrocketing real estate prices.  One out of six million inhabitants of Yangon are living in low-quality houses, said the ministry.  

"At the moment, over one million people in Yangon are residing in low quality houses. We have to solve this problem. There are such houses in many places such as on the fringes of the city and its inner areas, for example. That's why some companies are making survey on housing. We have to determine according to the survey outcomes," said an official from the Ministry of Construction.

Houses seen inside Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone (Photo - EMG)

Four points are added in determining the quality of a house -- space, low-quality housing materials, insecurity, and clean drinking water.

"The problem is that ours is a developing country so we see market driving. For instance, in Europe, the people are well-off and the real estate market demand is high.  Government no needs to take part in their business. But, in Myanmar, its people couldn't afford the housing market so they are also out of market. It is our job to seek ways and means to solve the problem," he added.

Therefore, the government is planning to draw a national planning policy. Likewise, they are holding talks with UN organizations. Similarly, Consilium Company, which is a foreign based company, has conducted a survey on over 3000 houses and together with Queensland University, Australia, will make a capacity building on corporate social responsibility(CSR).

"Our company is doing research on housing in Myanmar. We are doing it systematically but the results have not yet come out. Depending upon this survey results, we have to make discussions and find solutions to solve the problem," said David Proctor, Chairman of Consilium Company.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/18/myanmar-to-conduct-survey-as-1m-still-live-in-low-quality-homes-in-yangon-2/