The area features many of the city's major arts institutions and sports facilities.

The east-west grid of downtown Yangon was laid out by British military engineers Alexander Fraser and Montgomerie after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852.

Despite their less-than-perfect conditions, the buildings remain highly sought after and most expensive in the city's property market.

The CBD's road layout follows a grid pattern, based on four types of roads: Since February 2010, pickup truck bus lines have been forbidden to run in 6 townships of the CBD, namely Latha, Lanmadaw, Pabedan, Kyauktada, Botahtaung and Pazundaung Townships.

[9] In May 2003, a ban on using car horns was implemented in six townships of The CBD to reduce noise pollution.