Second Cambodia Urban and Housing Forum

More than 200 representatives participated in the forum from government institution, embassies, development partners, the private sector, academic institutions and young planning professionals, and civil society. Experienced national and international urban and housing experts had a dialogue on the challenges and experiences related to urban and housing development to build smart, green, sustainable, and inclusive cities to fulfil the needs of all citizens. 

In the opening session, H.E. Say Samal, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia and Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction (MLMUPC) stated that “We have to plan and develop our cities sustainable and inclusive manner where all citizens can enjoy urban life aligned with culture, civilization and tradition.” He also addressed that Cambodia needs to integrate innovate ideas from all stakeholders to develop the country and be a sustainable and inclusive country to enjoy happy life not only for Cambodian nationals but also to people from other countries.

Cambodia has been experiencing rapid urbanization and it is projected that over 40 per cent of the population will reside in urban areas by 2050. Unplanned and ad hoc urban development including informal settlements can cause environmental and social issues due to inappropriate and unplanned land uses or management mechanisms. Therefore, proactive planning and government’s interventions including better infrastructure and services will be the key to develop sustainable and inclusive cities to meet the needs of all residents in the urbanized cities. 

In this regard, H.E. Dr. Beng Hong Socheat Khemero, Director General of the General Department of Land Management and Urban Planning (GDLMUP) stressed that the GDLMUP and the General Department of Housing will support numerous municipalities and urban areas to develop master plan by aiming at sustainable future spatial development to avoid the adverse impacts of urbanization. This is aligned with the guidance of H.E. Say Samal and the guidance of the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1 of the Royal Government of Cambodia, under the leadership of Samdach Bavor Thipadei Hun Maneth, Prime Minister.

Through the presentations during the forum, Mr. Andre A. Bald, Lead Urban Specialist of World Bank, also stressed that urbanization can play a positive role to trigger economic and social development if it will be managed well with sufficient stakeholder participation.

Mr. Sok Vanna, Habitat Programme Manager of UN-Habitat Cambodia, also shared the UN-Habitat’s experience and their commitment to support government institutions such as MLMUPC to solve existing urban and housing issues through providing technical support to achieve smart, green, sustainable and inclusive cities. The importance of a people-centred approach was also highlighted to increase people’s engagement and to achieve sustainable impacts. 

At the closing session, Mr. Joseph Scheuer, Resident Coordinator of the UN Resident Coordination Office, stressed the importance of a people-centered sustainable urban future through effective partnerships among different stakeholders to transform cities and human settlements for the long-term prosperity of all people in Cambodia. He also shared four strategic areas to promote smart, green, sustainable and inclusive cities: (1) urban governance, planning and management, (2) resilient infrastructure and services, (3) land and affordable housing, and (4) innovative urban and smart data.

H.E. Tekreth Samrach, Permanent Secretary of State of the MLMUPC, emphasized that the Second Cambodia Urban and Housing Forum was a crucial opportunity as a platform to promote discussion across various stakeholders to consider and identify suitable and potential solutions to problems and challenges that the country are facing due to current urban and housing development in our cities.