Successful Completion : Earthquake resistance research on Bagan ancient pagodas

A ceremony marking the successful completion of research on earthquake resistance and preventive strengthening of ancient pagodas in the Bagan World Heritage Site was held in Yangon on November 13.

Union Minister for Culture, Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Soe attended the ceremony and gave opening remarks. The Union Minister highlighted the benefits of the research and training programmes, which contributed to the effective restoration and preservation of ancient buildings and pagodas damaged by earthquakes.

He also noted that the research had developed methods to strengthen the structures against future earthquakes and improved the technical skills and capacity of local engineers.

Officials also explained on the cooperation in post-earthquake rehabilitation and research following the 2016 earthquake and research activities carried out since 2017 in cooperation with the Myanmar Earthquake Committee and local and international experts.

At the ceremony, the Union Minister presented certificates of recognition to participating experts and training completion certificates to engineers. The research project, which began in 2017, was successfully completed in 2026.

Its findings are expected to benefit not only Bagan but also other earthquake-affected areas and ancient heritage sites across Myanmar. The technologies and research findings can also be applied to the conservation of ancient pagodas and buildings in heritage areas such as Innwa, Pinya, Mandalay and Sagaing.

They will help preserve original architectural features while incorporating modern earthquake-resistant techniques. Furthermore, the research outcomes will support the development of standards, guidelines and preventive conservation plans for ancient structures across the country, while strengthening the capacity of local engineers to lead restoration and conservation work in earthquake-affected areas.