Where the Sidewalk Ends – Green spaces in Phnom Penh

Public space in Phnom Penh is morphing into a conglomeration of condominiums with private pools and gyms, while higher-end boreys boast their own facilities. Outdoor running tracks and exclusive fitness centers for a price. The public-private divide has been a discussion of planners and social scientists for decades. What is public space and what is its role and who should it include or exclude? Who is it for and is it accessible to everyone or a select few?

Nevertheless, the grand north-south walkway along Riverside is under expansion and specifically seeks to connect people to places of interest. When completed, more bustling pedestrians will enjoy open spaces for leisure and activity from human-scale design. Yet, this is a limited anomaly with most city residents having almost no connection with outdoor living space. 

The reality of living in Phnom Penh

Behind the rapid development and massive infrastructure improvements in Phnom Penh is the general evasion of adding green space. Recent reports indicate only 1% of the city is allotted to urban parks, compared to most cities that have 5-10% designated for an organic surface medium like grass. Currently, Odom Garden is one of the very few public spaces that has a dog park, playground, café, and natural surroundings. Before 2022 is over this transient space will be converted into premiere condominiums so tootles to more trees and lawns and hello vertical green living.

Studies in human wellbeing have found direct positive correlations between the experiential and visual impacts of bringing ourselves to greenery for 20 minutes a day.  Stress and anxiety diminish while health improves from merely walking and breathing air that is less toxic than the average breath in the city. Electric vehicles do not dominate yet – even though the Toyota Prius has a similar popularity to VW Beetles in Europe during the 1960s. I think we have surpassed the Toyota Camry fetish. Therefore, carbon monoxide and other particulates are still widely registered in outdoor air quality assessments. Carcinogenetics. Cough.  

Many developers understand and appreciate the potential benefits of including green space plans for their residents but as mentioned, these are often contained in a gated area. Well, that’s not going to be very public-oriented, or even tourist-oriented either. We can’t overlook the power of aesthetic public design and the draw to take a photograph or selfie. Creating points of interest and places of leisure improve and expand lifestyle options and generate revenue.  The new stadium area is a breath of fresh air with green space well defined – but it is far enough away from the city core that it is not in the daily purview of the average commuter.

Cambodian cultural value relating to green space consists of a tinge of skepticism. I answered questions and comments from a local survey:  

1.Who needs sidewalks when walking is for poor people? 

Re: Because you will be obese and die young if you don’t walk   

2. Why have trees along the road or in parks if they can fall and cause damage? 

Because we need trees to make the air we breathe, bring cooling shade and a habitat for several urban adapted generalist wildlife. Try planting palm trees instead of trees that you need to violently prune every year. The trees look ugly after they are butchered. Palms are the national tree and add the aesthetic touch needed.

3. If you live near a park, it will be too noisy at night. 

Re: Not my fault there isn’t a noise ordinance but living near a park does on average increase your lifespan, so you choose.  

4. Price for land in the city is high and making my undeveloped, derelict land into a park isn’t profitable. 

Phnom Penh. You are not New York City. And you will need to clean up more at some point if you really want to attract more serious global investors. Some investments need to be focussed on more than flattening and concreting every ounce of surface to make it ‘sa’at’ because its devoid of life. 

Sentiments of well-being benefits like these do permeate through cracks in the foundation of the bullish economy. The desire for public space is growing from outspoken champions in academics, government departments, athletes (joggers and cyclists), naturalists, artists, and of course, those overly opinionated foreigners and tourists. But not mainstream. They can take their family out for a stroll along the canal on Street 95 aka Stinky Street and inhale ambivalence.  

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