YANGON, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Heritage structural buildings reached 6,000 in nine townships in Yangon, Myanmar's former capital, official media quoted a survey of the Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT) as reporting Monday.
The nine townships include four downtown ones - Kyauktada, Pabedan, Latha and Lanmadaw.
In addition to the nine townships, the YHT is currently collecting heritage data in Bahan township where world-known Shwedagon Pagoda lies and gathered information about government offices and residential buildings which are more than a century old.
The YHT is a non-governmental organization, founded by historian U Than Myint U, to conserve historic buildings. Since 2013, the YHT has carried out survey to collect data about heritage buildings across the country.
U Moe Moe Lwin, director of the YHT, stressed the urgent need to conserve historical buildings in Yangon with the noticeable increase in high-rise buildings since Myanmar began economic reform in 2011, moving the city towards a more sustainable infrastructure.
He emphasized the importance of cherishing the heritage and maintain them in a proper way, however, warning that without proper planning, Yangon could lose its architectural heritage like many of its Asian neighbors.
Meanwhile, Myanmar authorities have also called for conservation of colonial-era buildings in the country with a well thought-out plan.
According to the YHT, as many as 1,800 old buildings or 35 percent in downtown Yangon were demolished between 1990 and 2011 to pave way for new development projects.
