Brief History of Department of Urban and Housing Development: Focal Institution for Housing Sector in Myanmar

Abstract

The housing deficit in the urban area has become a global problem especially in developing countries like Myanmar, and many countries have been con cerned about addressing the challenge of providing adequate housing for their citizens. Unfortunately, successive governments of Myanmar after independence had not recognized and prioritized housing agenda except Parliamentary Democracy Regime (1948-1962) and at least three-quarters of the total population reside in inadequate housing nowadays. The focal institution of government is the key actor of action for housing sector development among all stakeholders in the third world. The main objective of this article is to examine the brief of governmental institutions related to the housing sector, era by era in Myanmar. Most governments and government institutions could not uplift the living standard (especially shelter conditions) and unable to fulfil the satisfaction of their people.