City Life Survey: Myanmar 2017 Pilot Initiative

Abstract

For this pilot City Life Survey, the research team asked 1,400 urban residents of Yangon, Taunggyi and Hpa-An 118 questions about their perceptions, attitudes and experiences. The survey goes beyond a narrow focus on cities as centres of commerce and seeks to provide a holistic overview of residents’ sentiments and experiences. It covers seven themes that include: residents’ overall outlook on the urban environment; perceptions of city livability; access to government services; attitudes towards taxation; work, and economic opportunities; identity, community and political participation; and well-being. It covers the challenges that higher population densities bring (such as lower air quality) and the benefits (such as better entertainment options). The survey questionnaire was developed by selecting questions from surveys from around the world that fit within the seven themes. In some cases, they have been kept exactly the same so as to allow direct comparisons with other countries. Other questions have been modified to better fit the Myanmar, context. The questions were reviewed by a panel of experts on surveys, urban issues and Myanmar. Following backward translation, the questions were tested on urban residents and further refined. The analysis of the survey findings has brought further insights that will be used to refine the questionnaire for the 2018 City Life Survey.