This research aims at informing development initiatives that responds to capacity gaps and requirements of stakeholder sectors in Myanmar in relation to mitigation and management of risks relevant to climate variability and change. The research concentrates on Dagon Seikan Hpa-An, Keng Tung, Kyauk Phyu, Labutta, Mawlamyine, and Meiktila; and select communities therein.

These townships were prioritized considering differential hazards, risks, and capacity building requirements, with respect to various zones (i.e. coastal, central dry, and hilly areas) in Myanmar.

Outputs from this research could provide a roadmap for government authorities, nongovernment organizations, and development institutions in designing, prioritizing, and implementing capacity development initiatives for improving generation, interpretation, translation and application of different lead times of information for short, medium and long term plans and decisions.

This study is undertaken to provide evidence to support community exercise and perceptions on climate variabilities, extremes and observable trends in select priority areas in different climate zones for evolving better understanding of past, current and potential future climate opportunities and risks.

Pakokku is located in the western part of the central dry zone, on the west bank of the Ayeyawady River. 290,139 people live in Pakokku Township, just over 30 per cent of whom live in the town itself. Pakokku has a mostly flat topography, except for some low mountains in the western area of the township, and is characterized by a hot, dry climate. Vulnerability relating to water is the predominant challenge in the township. Areas by the river experience floods, while away from the river drought and access to water is a chronic problem.

The study analyses current vulnerabilities, and by projecting changes in climate, anticipates further vulnerabilities in the future up to 2050. On this basis, it proposes scenarios that describe potential impact of climate change, and issues recommendations for adaptation to avoid the worst case future scenario. It also describes the expected outcomes and results, and prioritized activities that communities identified during the assessment.

UN-Habitat supports city, regional and national authorities to improve and adopt policies, plans and designs for more compact, socially inclusive, better integrated and connected cities that foster sustainable urban development and are resilient to climate change. As Myanmar is pushing for a sustainable approach to urbanization, it increasingly needs planning capacity. This document is intended to support such development of technical planning expertise.

The document should be disseminated to those in charge of planning in their cities and townships, to act as a handbook for the initial research and design phases of planning. The Guidelines for Urban Planning are based on five principles for sustainable urban development that UN-Habitat promotes for the 21st century’s urban development. It also proposes a step-by-step method for review and development of current and future plans that can be adopted by local planners.

This planning and review approach is illustrated by comments and analysis on the plans of Pyay and Kalay both in citywide and city extension scales. Finally, it provides a set of references for sections and blocks that can be implemented in new developments in Myanmar