Abstract

City planning is strongly influenced by national decisions, as well as world models maintained by international organizations. However, there is a basic discrepancy between customary technocratic planning ideas and the communicative practices of those living in the city. Identity politics is highly relevant in the post-colonial discourse. This is a working paper based on the comparative study of the cultural heritage of two South East Asian cities, Yangon, Myanmar and George Town, Malaysia. Both were part of British colonial rule and, accordingly, urban planning. The research will address the dilemma that concerns urban heritage, and highlight the challenges both countries have faced at various levels. The idea is to emphasise that a sustainable approach primarily based on the agenda of the citizens and their culture could be helpful in this discourse.