Sahmakum Teang Tnaut
Media Advisory
Jan. 16, 2012
New research calls for more inclusive urban growth and development
Local urban NGO Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT) has released two new reports
examining the development of Phnom Penh; 'A Tale of Two Cities; review
of the development paradigm in Phnom Penh' and 'Resettling Phnom Penh:
54 – And Counting?'.
Phnom Penh as a metropolis and the capital of Cambodia abounds in
opportunities and challenges. Amidst a booming economy and rapid
urbanization, a sobering addendum is the increasing spatial and economic
inequality inherent in the city's development process. 'A Tale of Two
Cities' and 'Resettling Phnom Penh' explore different facets of that
inequality and its implications for the long-term liveability of Phnom
Penh.
'A Tale of Two Cities: Review of the development paradigm in Phnom Penh'
In the legacy of the city's history and the challenges it presents, a
unique 'paradigm' of development is becoming apparent, promulgated by
Phnom Penh's current boom – a paradigm under which the wider public
interest is increasingly marginal to the activities of the political and
business elite. In the absence of an effective regulatory framework or
government stewardship, a development process that benefits a select few
whilst excluding the majority has come to occupy the void.
“The question for Phnom Penh is: who is the city developing for?” said
the report’s author, Marcus Tudehope. “At the moment private, commercial
interests are driving the urban development agenda, meaning needs such
as adequate low cost housing, public transportation, and inclusive urban
planning are not addressed.”
'A Tale of Two Cities' is a comprehensive review of different elements
that comprise the paradigm, examining each for their implications for
Phnom Penh's long term development including; the interactions of major
stakeholders; government, private & informal sectors and the
international community, the efficacy of major elements of legislation
and policy that comprise the regulatory framework, the current state of
mobility networks, service provision and housing.
'Resettling Phnom Penh: 54 – And Counting?'
'Resettling Phnom Penh' is an exploration of Phnom Penh's growing
spatial inequality, manifested through a growing number of relocation
sites at the outskirts of the capital. New research by STT identifies a
total of 54 such sites, home to tens of thousands of families who are
evicted, often forcibly, from prime real estate in the capital. Of the
communities evicted, only five were moved to within five kilometres of
their previous locations. 43% of all communities were located between
15-20km away, and five communities relocated between 2009 and 2012 were
moved over 50km from their previous homes, well outside the cities
limits and in another province entirely.
Residents at relocation sites continue to face a number of serious
issues, contributing to poor living standards and constraining
livelihood opportunities. Poor infrastructure, lack of access to
utilities and unemployment are consistently reported as the most
pervasive problems. Residents also report poor sanitation, waste
management, lack of social services, and financial limitations as
serious detriments to their quality of life. Residents further away from
the city centre also tend to face not only lower living standards but
also higher costs, particularly for water and electricity, compounding
disadvantage and reinforcing cycles of poverty.
“There is a distinct need to expand state electricity and water
provision to all relocation sites,” said Research Project Manager Sok
Lida. “At the moment, residents at some relocation are paying up to four
times more for electricity and up to 16 times more for water – those
evicted from their homes should not be punished further in this way. ”
Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, lack of tenure security remains a problem
at relocation sites. Although it is generally acknowledged – loosely
following sub-decree #19 on Social Land Concessions – that relocated
households should receive land titles after five years of occupancy at
the new site, only 13 out of 46 sites established before 2007 have
undergone systematic land registration and/or titling. Put another way,
33 sites established more than five years ago have to date not undergone
the systematic land registration process. A large minority (15) of
these are over ten years old.
“Given the socio-economic costs associated with relocation, relocation
should be considered a last resort and conducted only following
participatory planning and provision of basic infrastructure, services
and employment opportunities at the new site,” said Programmes
Coordinator Ee Sarom. “For the existing sites, however, the government
has the duty to ensure they are liveable. This includes the provision of
tenure security through land registration and titling at all sites aged
five years or more.”
“‘A Tale of Two Cities' and 'Resettling Phnom Penh' reiterate the
drastic need for a more inclusive Phnom Penh,” said Programme
Development Manager Nora Lindstrom. “Both reports highlight the
inescapable reality that the development of a city to benefit a select
few whilst undermining liveability for the majority is neither desirable
nor sustainable for Phnom Penh.”
The reports are available on STT’s website www.teangtnaut.org. Hard copies can be requested from the organisation.
About STT
Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT) is a local urban NGO registered with the
Ministry of Interior. The organisation’s mission is to provide pro-poor
technical assistance for housing and infrastructure and to inform
dialogue and raise awareness about urban issues. For more information,
visit www.teangtnaut.org
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