This paper summarizes the urbanization in Bago (formerly called as Pegu) Division of Myanmar (lately named as Burma#) based on a Masters Thesis, Urbanization in Bago (Pegu) Division (in Burmese language), submitted to the Department of Geography, Rangoon Arts and Science University, Rangoon, Burma, by the author in 1977. Furthermore, the author has made an attempt in order to analyze the growth patterns in selected urban centers using Geographic Information System (GIS) in Google Earth environment.
Generally, a regular phenomenon of ‘step migration’ - population migrations from rural areas to small towns; then from towns to the cities had prevailed in Bago Division as well. A 1975 survey conducted on the migrant families in Bago by the author revealed that 55% of them moved for economic reason; 16% for local regional insecurity; 8% for personal reasons, and 5% for pursuing better education. There is a big gap in economic opportunities between rural and urban sectors pushing younger population in villages to towns and cities. According to the survey interview, most of the rural labors had found to move into Bago, and worked as rickshaw drivers or cheroot (cigar like) makers. The expanding commercial and service sectors had attracted rural population to the towns and cities. Most importantly, easy access to health services, opportunities for vocational and educational schools, and enjoyable recreational services had pulled the rural population to the urban centers. In other words, the rural poverty had pushed a rural-urban migration. When Bago Division was under British occupation, anti-British (military) movements occurred in this region. British forces destroyed hundreds of villages in Bago Division accusing them to be supportive of insurgency (known to be as Galon peasants) in the 1930s. Bago Division had been in the military routes during 1940s under Japanese occupation during 1940s. It was the major battle fields during major ‘Karen-Burmese Incidents’ during 1949-1951. Bago Yoma (Ranges) had been the strongholds of the Burmese Communist Party, and became the battle grounds between Communists and Burmese military forces during 1948 through 1969. Life in-security in the rural areas had been a force for migration pushing the rural population to urban centers constantly in Bago Division.
was established since 1872 (popn. 12,654) while Letpadan was established in 1881 as a small town with 775 people. As the Yangon-Pyay railroad was built, towns such as Letpadan along the railroad became railroad towns. Letpadan‘s population grew faster as the railroad business became busier and busier. For example, population was 9,901 in 1931, grew up to 12,160 in 1941, 15,869 in 1951, and 23,241 in 1973. On the contrary, Shwedaung declined its population from 12,424 in 1891, then to 9,021 in1911, and further to 8,408. It had recovered in 1973 to 14,183. The railroad towns caused an exodus of population in river-port towns such as Shwedaung.
Aurousseau, M. (1921) The distribution of population: a constructive problem. Geographical Rev. 2 (April): 563-592
Aye, M.M. and U Win. In-migrants of Rangoon, with Special Reference to Kamayut Township. Research Paper. Department of Geography, Arts and Science University, Rangoon, 1980. (in Burmese)
Posted on September 25, 2011 by winnerscircle
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