We have decided to host CPWC & VDWC this year too. With the catchphrase "Your way of thinking is a path to undiscovered treasure", we are expecting works with full of fresh ideas for CPWC. This year's theme of VDWC "Yangon -Aiming for an ideal and sustainable Asian city" is overseas as with last year's theme Australia.

Since 2011 when democratic transition began following the official dissolution of military dictatorship and the release of economic sanction from the West, Myanmar has been making significant changes. Yangon, though stripped of its "capital city" status in 2006 for Naypyidaw to take over, still reigns as Myanmar's economic capital with the country's biggest population at 7,360,000, promises a high economic growth rate as "Asia's last frontier", and rapid increase in the number of road vehicles and cell phone carriers now close to the entire population marks the beginning of the city's ascent to economic stardom. However, many issues are arising as by-products of exponential economic development that the country has not been able to clean up. The first is traffic problem. It goes without saying that congestion and road conditions are becoming worse every year and lack of awareness for traffic rules such as traffic lights and pedestrian's right of way to cross a street makes the situation even worse, causing an increase in traffic accident fatalities, a serious concern. Parallel parking seen all too often on roads of Yangon where there are limited number of parking lots in buildings, and the fact that the country still follows right-hand traffic even though more than 90% of cars in the country now are used cars from Japan with steering wheel placed on the right side are causing traffic problem in the first place.
		©2017 CNES-Distribution Airbus DS
The second problem is in disaster management. Situated in the delta region, Yangon is subjected to frequent flood during rainy season, consequently causing health issues, and this is due in no small part to the lack of drainage systems that we should see more of given the speed of infrastructure development apparent in the city today. The third problem is lack of electricity. As in the case of flood drainage systems, the demand for power too now far outweighs its supply causing power outages almost every day. This unstable power supply is obviously hindering economic activities, and is standing between the city and economic stardom.

All these issues originate from the abrupt change in the society. But if we look on the bright side, slow economic growth before democracy due to suppression of Yangon's economic activities has contributed to the preservation of much of its environment and ecosystems including rich forests and lakes, and historic architectures built during colonial period, when it earned its name "the garden city". If these resources are secured and used intelligently in urban development, the city will become one of the most attractive cities in Asia. More importantly, the good nature of people in a relatively peaceful Myanmar with a vibrant mix of many different ethnic groups, among them those with strong Buddhist virtues, will no doubt become the driving force of urban development.

The target site of this year's VDWC comprises important urban elements such as heavily congested arterial roads, downtown area that flourished in the colonial period, central station, parks, and lakes. This region is typically the area within Yangon where the above-mentioned issues and potential for exponential growth co-exist and are most apparent. Comprehensive and practical design solutions for these complex issues that drive unprecedented growth of Yangon must be effectively simulated and persuasively presented with innovative VR and simulation technology.

Needless to say, these issues are never neglected in reality as master plan for changes led by the government is being updated and released every now and then. For instance, a height restriction on buildings and infrastructures to keep the clear view of Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar respected by many reverent Buddhist disciples in the city, must be considered for the citizens. A proposal that effectively incorporates these considerations in the existing master plan, and demonstrates the kind of urban development feasible by the Yangon especially because it’s "Asia's last frontier" with a potential of turning the city into a sustainable model Asian city by making most use of different types of provided software using methodologies supported by data, are expected.