November 6th, 2005, Myanmar moved its capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw, a site 320 north. The plan was to turn this new capital into a tourist city with a modern, metropolis image; however, no locals wants to settle in the new context. The city hosts 924,608 population, which may seem high and makes it the third most populous city in Myanmar, but considering its size (7052 sqkm), the density is extremely low. Compared to Greater London with a size 1,572 sqkm and population of over 8 million, we can clearly see that this city is very unpopulated.

       Naypyidaw is formed from eight townships – three older settlements, five purpose-built new suburbs – with highways drawing a ring from one to the next, and the spaces inside filled with new construction zones. This patchwork capital is located halfway between Mandalay (19th century capital of Burma) and Rangoon (the capital until 2006), and it slots in as a mid-way stop

on the nation’s main road and rail routes.

       The residential areas are carefully organized, and apartments are allotted according to rank and marital status. The city currently has 1,200 four-story apartment blocks. The roofs of apartment buildings are color-coded by the jobs of their residents; Ministry of Health employees live in buildings with blue roofs and Ministry of Agriculture employees live in those with green roofs. High-ranking government officials live in mansions, of which there are about 50. Many of the city's residents, however, live in slums.

RELATED MEDIA COVERS