Myanmar Junta Plans ‘Small, Modular Buildings’ as Naypyitaw’s Grand Vision Shatters

Myanmar’s military regime plans to redesign Naypyitaw after the March 28 earthquake wrecked government buildings, staff apartments and infrastructure in the administrative capital.

During an April 18 regime cabinet meeting, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing announced plans for soil tests as part of reconstruction of buildings in less earthquake-prone areas. He boasted that staff housing would be rebuilt to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8.

The same day saw Min Aung Hlaing and his deputy Soe Win inspect severely damaged government offices, including the Union Supreme Court, ministries of labor, legal affairs, finance and planning, and the Social Security Board. The junta boss proposed that instead of constructing large single buildings, smaller, modular structures should be built to improve earthquake resistance.