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Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar:, planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity

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Toe Aung, deputy head of urban planning, poses for a photo at the Yangon City hall, with the lit Sule Pagoda seen behind him, in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar: planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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A man sells guavas at a jetty along the Yangon river in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar, planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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A line of vehicles drive through Shwegontai junction, one of the busiest junctions in the city, in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar: planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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A man stretches early in the morning on the Banduhla bridge, in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar: planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity. The sign in the background reads, "Towards a New Modernized and Developed Country.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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People wait under their umbrellas in the rain for a bus in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar: planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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The illuminated Schwedagon Pagoda is seen behind people on the Bagduhla bridge in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar: planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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A general view of the city is seen in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar: planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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The Sedona Hotel is seen from a distance in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar, planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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A worker pushes a cart as he collects garbage along a flooded street in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar: planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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Men travel in a boat across the Yangon river in Yangon. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar: planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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A general view of the city is seen, with an illuminated Sule Pagoda standing out from amongst the other buildings, in central Yangon September 6, 2013. Toe Aung, a former army major, bears one of the biggest responsibilities in reform-era Myanmar: planning Yangon's unstoppable transformation from a regional backwater into Southeast Asia's next megacity.Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

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