Phnom Penh’s most valuable urban space is dominated by traffic that makes a mess between the riverfront and Royal Palace. In the first of a four-part series campaigning for a car-free Sisowath Quay, Ses Aronsakda highlights the idea’s potential for civic activity and commuters.
Asean is promoting a “Smart City Network” of tech-focused solutions to the region’s urban problems. But there are simpler, cheaper and more sound urban policies without falling for the notion that technology is the answer to everything, writes Future Forum’s Ses Aronsakda.
Phnom Penh is planning a colossal flyover on St. 271 that would cost $36.8 million and take three years to build. For half the cost, the whole 13 km of the ring road can be transformed with bus lanes, cycleways and pleasant sidewalks — and actually reduce congestion, writes Future Forum’s Sek Aronsakda.
For Cambodians at present, fully equitable mobility is not the reality, as cities are built for cars and motorbikes. Designing for visual impairments, pregnancies, all age groups and financial situations will create vibrant cities and a more cohesive society, writes Future Forum’s Ses Aronsakda.
Designing and building spaces with disabilities in mind will end up benefiting almost everyone at some point in their lives. But work is needed to overturn apathy, including formulating Cambodia-appropriate design standards, writes Future Forum’s Sek Aronsakda.
Labeling buildings by sustainability; cost-benefit summaries showing reduced long-term costs: Architects, activists, construction managers, developers and government officers are coming together and raising action plans for Phnom Penh’s urban future.
Phnom Penh’s streets are among the city’s few fully public spaces, and are key to a more vibrant and livable city. Future Forum fellow Ses Aronsakda floats an idea for turning St. 184 into a people-friendly “shared street” from riverside to Monivong Blvd.
Total parking area roughly the size of Russey Keo district is needed to cater for Phnom Penh’s increasing number of cars, writes Future Forum researcher Ses Aronsakda. But even putting aside this impracticality, adding more parking to a city creates its own problems.
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