CITIES FOR ALL:
Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable
Urban Development in Cambodia
December

SMART CITY ASSESSMENT REPORT

2023

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report12

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment ReportTABLE OF

CONTENTS

Abbreviations.............................................................................................................................................2
Executive summary...................................................................................................................................3

1. Introduction:......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1. Project Background............................................................................................................................... 5
1.2. Assessment limitations:........................................................................................................................ 5

2. Country Context.................................................................................................................................. 6
2.1.

National context:..................................................................................................................................... 6
The ‘’National Pentagonal strategy’’................................................................................................. 6
The National Digital Policy Documents:........................................................................................... 6
Organic laws and the Decentralization Process............................................................................ 7
The ‘’Safe Village, Commune’’ Policy................................................................................................ 7

2.2 Provincial - Municipal Context:.............................................................................................................. 7
Siem Reap :.............................................................................................................................................. 7
Battambang :.......................................................................................................................................... 7
Preah Sihanouk :..................................................................................................................................... 8
Phnom Penh :.......................................................................................................................................... 8

3. Assessment Methodology.................................................................................................................. 93.1. Objectives of the Rapid Field Assessment:.......................................................................................... 93.2. First field trips: Data Collection (site visits, workshops and interviews)........................................ 93.3. First field trips: Data analysis..................................................................................................................... 11
3.3.1. Data from the people center approach................................................................................................. 11
3.3.2.Data from the city multi-dimensions perspective...............................................................................123.3.3.City recent and ongoing initiatives and smart development frameworks.................................. 14
3.4. Second field trips: Validation workshops............................................................................................. 14
3.4.1. Data validation.............................................................................................................................................. 14

4. Key findings and 15 points matrix....................................................................................................16
4.1.

Priority Challenges and Solution Paths, from Four target cities................................................16

4.2. Smart City response and support:...................................................................................................22

5. Conclusion - Moving forward........................................................................................................... 26
Annex 01: Four Cities Key findings (extracts)..........................................................................................27
Annex 02: 15 points matrix table................................................................................................................36

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report

3

ABBREVIATIONS
AIMFAssociation Internationale des Maire Francophones

ASCN

ASEAN Smart City Network

ASEAN

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

CSO

Civil Society Organisation

EIA

Environmental Impact Assessment

FDI

Foreign Direct Investment

GGGI

Global Green Growth Institute

GIZ

German Corporation for International Cooperation

ICT

Information and Communication Technology

ISP

Internet Service Provider

JICA

Japan International Cooperation Agency

MoE

Ministry of Environment

MoI

Ministry of Interior

MPWT

Ministry of Public Works and Transport

MLMUPC

Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction

NCDD

National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development

NCSD

National Council for Sustainable Development

NGO

Non-Governmental Organization

NSDP

National Strategic Development Plan

PPP

Public-Private Partnership

PSP-I

Pentagonal Strategy - Phase I

RGC

Royal Government of Cambodia

RSP-IV

Rectangular Strategy – Phase IV

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal

SEZ

Special Economic Zone

SME

Small and Medium Enterprise

SNA

Sub-National Administration

UN

United Nations

UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

UN-Habitat

United Nations Human Settlements Programme

UNOPS

United Nations Office for Project Services

UNTFHS

United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security

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Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This assessment is based on the planning anddevelopment situation in the four largest cities in
Cambodia. Using a People Centered approach based on
the Human Security Methodology and the Smart Cities
concept, the assessment identifies the existing challenges
and potential solutions of the cities. It proposes future
development solutions to the smart city authorities andshows how the use of a road map can identify responses
and explore options to meet the needs of Cambodian
citizens.
To gather this information the assessment was based on
the four Cambodian cities of Siem Reap, Battambang,
Sihanoukville and the Capital of Phnom Penh. Thesefour cities have experienced of engaging with the ASEAN
Smart Cities Network and have developed serval smart
cities projects in line with their development plans androadmaps. In each of the four cities, workshops were
held with the local authorities, interviews were conductedwith a range of city stakeholders and site visits were madeto gather information on the city’s ecosystems and future

growth trends. About 400 stakeholders were consulted
through consultative workshops or interviews. Two seriesof site visits, consultative workshops and interviews wereorganized. The first one focused on data collection andanalysis and a second series of visits were undertaken
to validate the findings with local stakeholders. Masterquestions and facilitation processes were used during thedata collection phase which gathered information related
to the citizens’ priority needs and challenges.
To analyze the first set of data, seven indicators’ usinga People Centered approach were adopted to identify
challenges from a peoples’ perspective. The second
data set was analyzed using a city level five-dimensions
approach, to identify solutions from a city perspective.
The two data sets were combined and 15 action areas
developed within a matrix, covering all stakeholders inputs. This 15 point matrix, showcasing challenges andsolutions side by side, along with Smart City response
and support proposed by the project’ experts team.

Below are some of the main identified challenges:
Lack of detailed information on the land use and planning documents and the difficulties of enforcement ofland use and development regulations.
Conflicting land uses and inadequate infrastructure investment.
Mobility in the cities was not optimized, particularly for pedestrians and public transportation.
Liquid and solid waste infrastructures and processes lack a holistic approach
Problems of access to hygienic food and potable drinking water
Access to healthcare facilities was not available for all citizens
Citizens and city visitors needed to be protected against threats and dangers
There needed to be a better coordination of responses of emergency services
Road and footpath safety needed to be improved.
The Smart City development needs technology provision, resource funding and capacity building, which are
currently lacking.
Essential infrastructures need to be improved through coordinated design and development processes.
The general coordination of administrative processes needs to be improved.
Reliable information needs to be provided to support citizen interaction with city developments
The economic development of the city needs to be stimulatedCities need to showcase their investment opportunities to attract sustainable funds and ensure their long-term
growth and economic development.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report3Suggested solutions paths:
The cities’ stakeholders’ inputs also brought solutions’ elements to address the identified challenges. These
have been organized within the 15 areas of actions, and are providing paths to systemically solve and preventthe priority challenges to arise, with suggestions like: Integration of Sustainability and climate change risks
within development plans; improvement of information exchanges between cities; creation of cities solid waste
management standards; ensure that every citizen can access quality healthcare; ensure coordinated risk andemergency responses; provision of technical tools, practical skills, and knowledge of best practices on Smart City
development; development of feedback and citizen participation in city initiatives; promotion of local businesses,
local products, and local employment; etc.

Smart City response and support:
In order to support the abovementioned solutions, the project’ experts have been formulating a series of proposed
smart responses, to illustrate how the Smart City could effectively be used as a lever to address challenges andaccompany the cities, in particular, with dynamizing their economy, increasing citizens life quality, and ensuring
an overall inclusive and sustainable oriented development. An accent was put on digital tools and technologies
supporting information efficient exchange, long term strategies, resilient infrastructures, optimized planning,
entities coordination, investments facilitation.

Below are some of the key recommendations:
A digital transformation to support the Smart City development as an opportunity to bring a series of compatible
standards.
The elaboration of related solutions would be needed to organize city categories and profiles, that fit with theirchallenges, abilities, and specific requirements
A policy framework for the regulatory and institutional arrangements of the Smart City development.
A National Roadmap to guide the development of the Smart City framework.

4

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report1 INTRODUCTION:
1.1. Project Background
UNOPS and UN-Habitat are implementing the project“Cities for all: inclusive, smart and sustainable urban
development in Cambodia” funded by the United
Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) under
the coordination of UN Resident Coordinator’s Office inCambodia. This one-year project, starting from March2023 to March 2024, has the overall objective to identify
the challenges of urban citizens and the Government
using a human security approach to promote sustainable,
inclusive, and innovative Smart Cities in Cambodia.
Capacity building is a component of this program, witha focus on practical knowledge sharing for national andsub-national officials with responsibility for Smart City
development. This includes experience sharing with
Smart City development in other countries.
The rapid economic growth and development of
Cambodia’s main cities has contributed to the country’s
graduation from a Least Developed Country (LDC) status
and towards achieving Upper Middle-Income status by2030.
Urban development has not always been sustainable andinclusive. The poor and vulnerable urban communities
continue to experience multiple unmet needs andchallenges. These include a lack of urban planning,
resulting in disorganized development, inadequatetransportation systems and lack of access to basic
services such as water, sanitation and electricity.
Public services such as healthcare, education, and waste
management systems are not keeping pace with therapid growth of the cities, leading to inadequate accessand poor quality of services for urban residents. Nationaland sub-national governments lack the resources toinvest in innovative development approaches. Smart
Cities can respond to the growing needs of urban citizens
and introduce advanced technology to ensure ‘leaving no
one behind’.

The validated key findings and proposed solutions
together with reference to the existing National Roadmap
will be used to prepare a revised Roadmap to guide Smart
City development for the coming five to ten years.
To undertake the in-depth assessment, selected local
communities, and stakeholders involved in thepotential Smart City ecosystems were consulted.
Consultations were also held with national and subnational governments, civil societies, and the private
sector to include their perspectives about Smart Cities.
The discussions included the ongoing challenges in thecontext of post-Covid19 recovery, global economic crises,
and climate change.

1.2. Assessment Framework:
The project “Cities for all: inclusive, smart and sustainableurban development in Cambodia” is being implemented
from March 2023 to March 2024. The main activities
are: rapid assessment, desk review of literature, capacity
strengthening, roadmap development, implementation
proposals and partnerships and resources mobilization.
The project supports the Royal Cambodian Government’s
Smart City Steering Committee to prepare a Roadmap
on Smart Cities. In the current phase, the rapid
assessment focuseson laying the foundations for the
Policy Document and Roadmap. The comprehensive
responses, documents and full set of priority activities will
be addressed in the next steps of the “City for All” project.
This will include support to roadmap development,
facilitation of partnerships and resources mobilization,
consultative workshops on the assessment and roadmap
documents. Policy documents and other responses are
expected to be developed by future projects.
The “City for All” project will suggest implementation
strategies through a people centered approach. It will
establish clear directions and actionable steps. This projectwill support the collaboration of resources required fornational level action.

The project’s main outcome is to support the Royal
Government of Cambodia’s development of Cambodian
cities with a citizen centric approach, when developing
their Smart City Roadmaps. The priority is to support themost vulnerable to access to public services through theuse of digital networks.

The assessment will undertake an inclusive and participatory
approach at the national and sub-national level focusing
on four cities, namely, Siem Reap, Battambang, Preah
Sihanouk and Phnom Penh. The findings from the rapid
assessment will support the development of the Ministry ofInterior’s National Smart and Sustainable Cities Roadmap.

This rapid assessment aims to provide an in-depth
analysis of the potential for sustainable developmentusing a Smart Cities approach in Cambodia’s fourmain cities, namely Siem Reap, Battambang, Preah
Sihanouk and Phnom Penh by applying the human security
and people-centered development approach.

This assessment will ensure that the Roadmap
addresses the needs and aspirations of urban citizens in
Cambodia, especially the integration of a people-centeredapproach, with a focus on marginalized and vulnerable
communities.

This assessment expands the findings of an earlier studyin Preah Sihanouk city and through data collected fromsite visits, consultative workshops, and stakeholderinterviews.

The field assessment was conducted in only four target
cities, namely Battambang, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap andSihanoukville due to time and resources limitations andare only indicative to guide Smart City development in
Cambodia.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report52 COUNTRY CONTEXT
2.1. National context:
Smart City development is a means to address thechallenges of rapid urbanization, through promoting
sustainable economic growth, improving the deliveryof urban services, and encouraging environmental
development.
Smart Cities are characterized by their use of enabling
technology to support efficient work, life, recreational
and learning opportunities. They encourage economic
growth and facilitate the creation of sustainable living
environments in urban areas and the promotion of cities
that are sustainable, inclusive and efficient.
Cambodia has the potential for Smart City development
because of its rapid urbanization, technologicaladvancement, government support and its environmental
challenges. It provides fertile ground for Smart City based
development.
Cambodia nominated Phnom Penh, Siem Reap andBattambang cities as pilot cities for the ASEAN Smart
Cities Network (ASCN) at its launch in 2018. This reflects
Cambodia’s commitment to Smart City development
to support sustainable economic growth and enhance
residents’ quality of life.
The city of Preah Sihanouk is one of three pilot cities for
the Smart City Innovation Lab (SCIL). This was an initiative
launched in 2019 by the United Nations Economic andSocial Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP),
which aims to support innovative and Smart City
development in secondary cities.
While some progress has been made in the pilot cities,
Cambodia faces challenges in advancing its Smart City
initiatives including resource constraints, limited technicalcapacity and a lack of a coordinated national approach.
However, there is a strong political will to establish anational Smart City policy framework, to share bestpractices and ensure efficient and effective Smart City
solutions.
In order to address financial concerns, the implementationof the National Smart City Roadmap will facilitate inproviding a framework for strategic investments.
Cambodia recently held its national elections, and thiscreates an opportunity for the implementation of policies
in the context of Cambodia’s vision for 2050, as describedin the Pentagon Strategy and Cambodia’s long-term goalsof economic growth and development.
The ‘’National Pentagonal strategy’’This document describes strategic directions and key

6priorities of the government. The strategy emphasizes
sustainable economic growth and prosperity foreveryone along with an increase in quality of life and thestrengthening of public institutions’ skills and efficiency, of
crucial infrastructures and digital transformation.
The concept of a people centered approach and an
inclusive, sustainable and Smart City development shares
many of the objectives of the national strategy, andclosely aligns with common priorities. From the citizen
centric perspective, the essential infrastructures andbasic services provision, through the sustainable socioeconomic growth and up to the increased capability
and efficiency of public institutions supported by digitaltransformation. The project is also fully aligned with the‘’strengthening of urban management and modernization’’that is a key component of the ‘’Resilient Sustainable andInclusive Development’’ (Pentagonal Strategy - Phase 1 Key priority Number 4).
The National Digital Policy Documents:
Cambodia is strengthening its policy framework to allow
the country to move ahead with its digital transformation.
Recent policy documents include:The ‘’Cambodia Digital Economy and Society
Framework 2021-2035’’, where ‘’digital technology
combined with urban development’’ is acknowledged
as a component of a ‘’Smart City’’.
Smart Cities from this digital framework perspective
are seen ‘’as cities equipped with and using digitaltechnology to improve their operational capacity by
sharing information with the public and improving thequality of public services and social welfare’’ (Annex 2
Glossary P119 - N59: Smart City).
The ‘’Cambodia Digital Government Policy 20222035’’, where an integrated digital government iselaborated, including data centralization, citizen
interactions, data-based decision making andcollective use of information, up to a smart government
stage where the full potential of digital technology isachieved.
Some notable strategic goals promote thedevelopment of digital government infrastructure, anddigital capacity building and innovation and strategies
like digital connectivity for infrastructure, and building
human capital, collaboration with technology
companies and digital startups.
These are supported by priority actions like: suchas ‘’Formulate a digital policy for Smart Cities’’, and‘’Develop technical standards for a Smart City’’, which
are proposed for a 2026 to 2030 phase.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment ReportOrganic laws and the Decentralization Process.

Siem Reap :The 2008 law defines the roles and responsibilities for
the Administrative Management of the Capital, Provinces,
Municipalities, Districts and Khans within the frame of thecountry’s decentralization process. This framework,
supporting other ongoing reforms, needs to be consideredwhen elaborating the Smart City regulatory frameworkand institutional arrangements, as it supports project
implementation at the local level.
The ‘’Safe Village, Commune’’ Policy.
This policy aims to enhance the overall well-being, andquality of life for people within villages and communes
across the country. It is already in place at the local levelacross the country and will support the implementation of
the related Smart City efforts in the context of safety andsecurity.

2.2 Provincial - Municipal Context:
The Cambodian cities of Phnom Penh and two provincial
capitals, Siem Reap and Battanbang, were integrated with
the ASEAN Smart City Network in 2018. The provincial
capital city of Preah Sihanouk is a regional Pilot - Smart
City Innovation Lab – UN-ESCAP, with an autonomous
port socio-economic zone which is a key point for
Cambodia sea trade.These cities are well connectedwith national and international links including tourism,
trade, cultural, economy, and information exchange. They
have benefited from capacity building and have alreadystarted to implement several Smart City initiatives, withthe support from development partners such as theJapanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), theAsian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank (WB),
the French Development Agency (AFD). They haveinvested in infrastructure with support from the Australian
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), UNHabitat and others.

Institutional framework established or proposed
Establishment of a Smart City Committee
Proposal of a Division for Smart City which is currently
proposed at the national level, and the establishmentof a Smart City Working Group (SCWG).
The SCWG will involve provincial and municipal
authorities, as well as the relevant technical line
departments, to ensure the development of the Smart
City initiative.

Technical framework
Siem Reap has already developed a Smart City Roadmap
for the period 2023-2035, with support from JICA to
implement some Smart City pilot initiatives. This includes
training to enhance its capacity to implement Smart City
technologies and practices.

Battambang :The status of the four main cities is described below.

In 2015 Battambang prepared a comprehensive master
plan, known as the Vision for Battambang 2030, to guideits future development.
The city has been working with development partners in
3 main areas, namely solid and liquid waste management,
street and public space management and a master plan
study for a Smart City with support from the Smart
Japanese Asian Mutual Partnership (JAMP-2022).
Some priority projects have already started such as a clean
Sangkat development and riverfront area development
project, a green industrial park and a new bypass road tokeep heavy traffic outside of the city center.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report7Preah Sihanouk :Phnom Penh :Preah Sihanouk has been collaborating with UNHabitat to develop its Smart City potential with a setof 15 recommended actions with a human focus.

Phnom Penh 2022-2035 is a sustainable city Strategic
Road Map. This document provides an overview of Smart
City readiness, including identifying the main priorities
and future directions, practical action and examplesof pilot projects, some of which have been launchedalready. The document also provides the framework for a
strategic master plan being developed with support fromthe Association Internationale des Maires Francophones(AIMF)In addition, with Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (DFAT) support, it has defined 12 strategic
priorities with a digital focus.
Both approaches are relevant to the main challenges
related to the city’s sustainable and Smart City development

The Phnom Penh Sustainable City Plan 2018-2030 isa sustainable city plan, providing a roadmap for policy
makers, local administrators and their national andinternational development partners to pursue theimplementation of urban green growth with support fromthe Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).

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Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report

3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
3.1. Objectives of the Field Assessment:
The rapid field assessment has been prepared to achieve the following objectives:
Insights from the perspective of a range of city stakeholders on Smart City development
To foster an understanding of the project and its context and identify specific issues from the point of view of city
stakeholders.
To use methodologies that identify the challenges from a people’s perspective and provide recommendations forsolutions that consider the city multi-dimensional aspects of the city. To generate recommendations that will informthe development of the Cambodian Smart City framework.

Project process: visual overview
Activities
Field Assessment

Outputs

Outcomes

Local Findings
Recommendations

Desk-review

Capacitystrengthening

Best Practices

Smart &
Sustainable City
People Centred
approaches

Development of the
National Roadmap

Action Plan
Technical support
Partnerships
Strategies

Recommended actions to
implement the National Roadmap

UNITED NATIONS CAMBODIA

3

Extract from project presentation during the launch of the Smart City National Roadmap event 12 September 2023

3.2. First field trips: Data Collection (site visits, workshops and interviews)
The first field trips were organized during September
and October 2023 in the four target cities of Siem
Reap, Battambang, Preah Sihanouk and Phnom
Penh with the support of the Ministry of Interior.
They were used to collect information through visualobservations, key stakeholders’ interviews, and one
day workshops to meet the objectives of the field
assessment.
Workshop in Siem Reap 13 September 2023
“Group N3: Smart cities aim to improve
people’s well-being”.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report

9The interviews were held with representatives from the private sector, NGOs and academic
made to complement the information gathered during the interviews.

institutions. Site visits were

One workshop was held in each of the four cities. There was a total of 224 participants who included deputy governors,
city council members, city vice mayors, representatives from provincial departments such as education, transport, posts
and telecoms, urban planning Sangkat and Commune councilors, civil society organizations and development partners.
The workshops’ introductions were given by the MOI representatives, the local Provincial and Municipal representatives
and representatives of UN-Habitat and UNOPS.
Presentations were made to the participants to introduce the assessment process and its context within the National
Sustainable and Smart City Roadmap development. The presentations included a description of the components ofthe project including definitions for resilient, sustainable, green, smart, inclusive cities, logical concepts and practicalexamples.
These are related to the development of a Sustainable and Smart City concept for Cambodia, supported by a People
Centered Approach. The People Centered Approach was explained through practical examples from the ASEAN
regional pilot cities.
To structure the workshop discussions the participants were asked to respond to the following questions (extract
provided below):
What are the city’s general needs and challenges? (Then if no (not enough) spontaneous inputs arising thissuggestion frame were provided: it could relate to urban planning and land use, infrastructures and services,
new technologies and skills, stakeholder coordination, healthcare, economy, food, security, housing etc).
How has covid-19, the economic crisis and flooding affected the city and how to improve city resilience whenfacing crises and disasters?
The People Centered Approach: how can the Smart City integrate all its citizens in urban development plans?
Has your city had some experience with Smart City, Green City, Sustainable City concepts and projects, could
you relate some successes about this?
Can you related about your City Smart imitative experiences, challenges and lessons learned?
What do you suggest should be included in the National Smart City development process?
For the stakeholder interviews the questions were the same but with request for more specific inputs according to
the experience of the participants
The cities findings have been synthesized and are shown in Annex 01

Workshop in Battambang 20 September 2023
“Group N6: The goal of a smart city is to make the city responsive to citizens’ needs”.

10

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report3.3. First field trips: Data analysis
3.3.1. Data from the people center approach
More than 500 inputs, form more than 400 city stakeholders, were proposed from the workshops and interviews. The
People Center Approach, based on the Human Security seven indicators, was used to classify the needs of the citizens.

GOVERNANCEECONOMICPERSONAL
SAFETYThe food and health and the personal safety and community
security categories have been combined as the topics theyrefer to are very similar.

PeopleCenter

FOOD

COMMUNITYSECURITY

The categories are described below, with some examples ofthe specific information they contain:

HEALTHENVIRONMENT

Economic impact:

Lack of economic diversification to develop job opportunities.
Disruption to economic development caused by congestion, Covid and similar pandemics
or floods.
Lack of budget to finance the city infrastructures development.

Food and healthimpact:Negative impacts are linked to economic challenges at the household level such accessto good quality food and access to potable water.
Other negative impacts such as access to quality healthcare services
Lack of access to sewerage network and spreading of sewerage at times of floods

Environmental
impact:Pollution at times of flooding
Solid waste management
Compliance of standards for septic tank construction
Inadequate budget for city greening

Personal andcommunity security
and safety impact:

Real and potential for physical threats and robberies
Increased risk of diseases risks when infrastructure connections are lacking.
Accidents related to mobility such as traffic accidents.

Governance impact:
Like the lack of human and financial resources to develop the Smart City
Need to improve citizen interaction with city development project.
Need for more guidance on innovative developments.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report113.3.2. Data from the city multi-dimensions perspective
The second set of data identified initiatives and possible
solutions. It was classified using a city multi-dimension focus
with the city providing solutions to meet the needs of thecitizens.
Participatory
Budgeting

The five dimensions correspond to the five ways in whichurbanization and cities can contribute to meeting development
targets and objectives, such as the SDGs.

Transparency& Corruption

Participatory
Processes

URBAN
GOVERNANCE

The city 5 multi-dimensions categories:

Community
Activism
CBOs

Democracy &Empowerment

Globalisation
SAPs
Innovative
Financial
Mochaniams

Participatory
Processes &Tools

LabourMarketURBANECONOMYCity
Planning

Land
TenureURBANINFRASTRUCTURE
Multi
Dimensional
Analysis

Urban
Development
Finance

InformalEconomyShelter &Setlement

Transport/ Mobility

Appropriate
Technology

Basic
Infrastructure

Urban-RuralInterastions

Urban
Livelihoods
HealthHazards &Poilution

Enviromentar
Planning

URBAN
SOCIETYURBAN
ENVIRONMENT
Loca
Agenda 21

Health
Education
ChildrenViolence &HurmanRightsSocialInclusion

GenderSustaina bility
Culture &Identity

Urban Economy

Prioritizing local employment
Supporting SMEs with business skills and international standards compliancesupporting vocational training-oriented education (TVET) with latest market trends

Urban Environment

Preventing import of products containing high levels of polluting chemicals
Supporting city green developments
Preparing climate change and extreme weather events with mitigation and alleviation
plans

Urban Society

Implementing quality health services with access for everyone
Food hygiene and quality standards promotion
Including topics in the education curriculum like environment climate change mitigation
and alleviation
Sustainable and energy efficient resources management

Urban Governance

Expand citizens’ access to city information and develop citizen interaction.
Improving public services quality standards
Allocate financial and human resources to implement Smart City initiatives …

Urban Infrastructure

Enhance reliable telecom and internet coverage.
Building separate networks for rainwater, wastewater (gray water) and sewerage water
Develop national standards for waste management.
Integrate climate change resilience parameters in infrastructures development …

12

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report

The city 5 multi-dimension framework:

The five primary dimensions:

Cities multi-dimensions:

Cities are multi, rather than single dimensional incharacter. They contain the interacting spheres of humanexistence. The different aspects of urban development
are all important in influencing immediate issues andfuture prospects faced by cities worldwide. These
interdependencies are a way of understanding thedevelopment of cities, that can realise their potential toadvance the welfare and wellbeing of all their citizens andmeet the needs of the next generation.

Cities are significant in the drive to achieve the UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They dependon the adoption and adaptation of a system of innovative
practices, including the strengthening of institutional
capacities to implement them.

The SDG’s that are relevant for urban areas are as follows:
Goal 1:

End poverty in all its forms

Goal 2:End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition

Goal 3:

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Goal 4:

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal 5:

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 6:

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal 7:

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal 8:Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment anddecent work for all

Goal 9:Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

N0
POVERTYZERO
HUNGERGOOD HEALTH
AND WELL-BEINGQUALITYEDUCATIONGENDEREQUALITY

CLEAN WATER
AND SANITATIONAFFORDABLE AND
CLEAN ENERGYDECENT WORK AND
ECONOMIC GROWTH

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE

REDUCEDINEQUALITIESSUSTAINABLE
AND COMMUNRESPONSIBLE
CONSUMPTION
AND PRODUCTION

CLIMATEACTIONLIFE
BELOW WATER

LIFE
ON LANDPEACE, JUSTICEAND STRONG
INSTITUTIONSPARTNERSHIPSFOR THE GOALS

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report133.3.3. City recent and ongoing initiatives and smart development frameworks
This includes information related to the city’s current sustainable and smart urban development frameworks and main
recent achievements and ongoing initiatives.
This information gives a better understanding of the current frameworks used by the cities. It identifies the main projects
handled by the most experienced cities in terms of sustainable and smart developments. This could support theframework development for the National Roadmap.

3.4. Second field trips: Validation workshops
The second series of field visits in November 2023 were used to validate the findings from the first series of visits andworkshops in Siem Reap, Battambang, Preah Sihanouk and Phnom Penh.

3.4.1. Data validation
In this 2nd series of one day workshops there were a total of 147 participants (deputy governors, city council members,
city vice mayor, representatives from various provincial departments including education, transportation, posts andtelecoms, and urban planning, Sangkat/Commune councilors, CSOs, and development partners.) Many attended thefirst workshops. In addition, representatives from MOI, UN-Habitat, UNOPS and the local authorities were present.
The participants worked in small groups and classified the data as follows: (i) fully agreed, (ii) partially agreed withcomments, or (iii) disagreed with reasons.
Results of the validation:
The vast majority of the findings were validated as “fully agreed”.
The comments made were responded by a) clarifications needed on the formulation, b) remarks suggesting to be
more specific with some findings, or c) moving some findings from one category to another one to better reflect thefindings (i.e. from ‘’governance’’ to ‘’environment’’)
Other workshop presentations
Case studies from regional cities were presented to explore the similarities and differences between cities. Participants
benefited from learning about Smart City Initiatives from Indonesia and Thailand.
To conclude the workshop, the group discussed information on strategic partnerships and resources mobilization thatwill be used to support the Smart City Roadmap.

Workshop in Phnom Penh - 04 October 2023

14

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment ReportCities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report15+ 500 specificinputscollected+ 400 key city
stakeholders

4 Cities

InformalEconomyGlobalisation
SAPs

Enviromentar
Planning

Sustaina bility

GenderViolence &HurmanRightsCulture &Identity

URBAN
SOCIETY

Urban
Livelihoods

Appropriate
Technology

Land
TenureDirections towards asolution ported by
the City

Loca
Agenda 21

Participatory
Processes &Tools

Community
Activism
CBOs

HEALTH

URBAN

Shelter &Setlement

Transport/ Mobility

City
Planning

FOOD

ECONOMIC

SocialInclusion

Health
Education
Children

Basic
Infrastructure

INFRASTRUCTURE
Multi
Dimensional
Analysis

Democracy &Empowerment

URBAN
ENVIRONMENT

HealthHazards &Poilution

Urban-RuralInterastions

LabourMarketParticipatory
Budgeting

URBAN
GOVERNANCE

Transparency& Corruption

Participatory
Processes

PeopleCenter

ENVIRONMENT

Urban
Development
FinanceURBAN
ECONOMY

Innovative
Financial
Mochaniams

COMMUNITYSECURITYPERSONAL
SAFETY

GOVERNANCE

Needs and challenges
identified from apeople perspective

2nd Data set:
Directions towards
Solutions

1st Data set:
Priority needs
and challenges

Consolidationof the twodata sets
highlight 15
main points

15 main points matrix:#15- City Economic Development#14- Communication & Interaction#13- Services Delivery (inclusive & quality services)#12- Coordination (general)#11- Environment and Natural Resources Development#10- Smart City development (readiness)#09- Safety and security#08- Healthcare facillities#07- Food and potable water#06- Storm and waste water networks#05- Solid waste#04- Clean and green cities#03- Urban mobility#02- Temporary shelters#01- Land use & planning

Smart City for All-rapid assessment

4 KEY FINDINGS AND 15 POINTS MATRIXConsolidation process:The rapid assessment of the four target cities has been developed from more than 500 suggestions made by more than
400 city stakeholders. These have been classified into needs, challenges and solutions to overcome the challenges.
The data from the two field visits, including the workshops, interviews and on-site visits have been combined and havebeen classified in a matrix with 15 components that can be used to support the Smart City development.
From the needs and challenges, and their respective suggested solutions paths, responses were developed which cansupport the proposed Smart City proposals. The details are given in Annex 02.

4.1. Priority Challenges and Solution Paths, from Four target cities
This section identifies the key findings from the four target cities, with their most urgent challenges and proposes
possible solutions.
The methodologies used were the ‘People Center approach’ to identify the challenges and the ‘City Multi Dimensions’analysis to identify possible solutions.
The analysis and consolidation of the city stakeholders’ findings led to the elaboration of the 15 points matrix,
covering all inputs from the workshops and interviews and classifying them so that they can be used to inform the
Smart City development.
The challenges are shown side by side with the proposed solutions to demonstrate how they are related. Multiple
challenges can be aligned with one or more solutions and similarly a few challenges can align with multiple solutions.

Workshop in Sihanoukville - 17 November 2023

16

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report#01- Land use and planning
The challenges and solutions of land use planning emphasize the need for detailed land use planning and its
enforcement, support for economic and infrastructure development, the importance of sustainability and a response
to climate change risks.

Challenges¾ Lack of detail in land use and planning components.
¾ Conflicting projects near each other¾ Lack of identified projects.
¾ Development plans are not enforced.
¾ Conflicting projects near each other¾ Lack of existing land use information

Solutions¾ Cities need a land use planning tool for city
development to guide the development of
infrastructures and future city expansion, taking
into account local conditions and development
potential.
¾ For achieving the city’s long-term vision, land
reservation, and public land provision for future
public investment projects is required.
¾ The detailed plans should include land use
regulations and development densities.

¾ Lack of national or large-scale
development projects hampering
economic development¾ Inadequate investment in city infrastructure¾ Sustainability and climate change risks should
be included in development plans.

¾ Not enough government support for infrastructuresdevelopment these are sometimes happening
but are not enough.

#02- Temporary Shelters
The responses to the issue of temporary shelters emphasize the need for improvement in the quality of life in
the context of urban development plans and when relocation is required consideration is given to employment
opportunities and provision of infrastructures.

Challenges

Solutions¾ Need to propose sustainable long-term options
that allow communities to access higher life
quality in the context of development plans.

¾ Develop solutions such as land ownership andhousing options, access to infrastructure on
existing or relocation sites.

¾ Relocation sites are not provided with adequate
infrastructures, are too far from employment
opportunities or lack access to financial support.

¾ Support for income options including skill
development.

¾ For those who are being considered for relocationneed to provide support such as temporary
administrative addresses and civil documents
and infrastructure connections¾ Develop preventive measures such as supporting
housing and infrastructures options for lowincome categories and laborers.
¾ Sharing of best practices from existing housing
projects on climate change resilient housing,green and affordable building materials¾ Provision of relocation options for migrants,
those displaced for ‘’public interest’’ projects
such as infrastructures and those who areunauthorized occupants of lands¾ Develop people centered relocations before
starting major projects.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report17#03- Urban mobility
The responses under urban mobility include the need for improvements in road conditions, increase in parking
facilities near offices and markets and improvements in public transport.

Solutions

Challenges¾ Poor quality of secondary road construction¾ Insufficient budget for road maintenance¾ Poor quality roads have a negative impact on
economic development.
¾ Lack of parking around shopping areas and markets¾ Lack of public transport¾ Improve traffic management including law
enforcement.
¾ Road network and parking facilities to be
developed in accordance with the developmentplan.
¾ Improve road maintenance and increase budget.
¾ Ensure connectivity between different modes oftransport.
¾ Improve connectivity between local, provincial
and national modes of transport by road, riverand rail.

#04- Clean and Green Cities
Under clean and green cities priority was given to a reduction in littering and the provision of more green andrecreational spaces

Challenges¾ Improve citizens’ behavior on littering and waste
management.
¾ Provide more green spaces and more recreation
places.
¾ Improve quality of urban living and promotea green future and establish standards for open
spaces in development plans.

Solutions¾ Develop awareness campaigns and integrate
the clean and green concept within the Smart
City development.
¾ Integrate green components within the city
development plans.

#05- Solid Waste
The challenges and solutions under solid waste management included more recycling, public participation and anincrease in budget allocation.

Challenges¾ Implementation of solid waste management
systems including strengthening of regulatory
framework, adequate infrastructure, innovativetechnologies, waste recycling, public awarenessand private, public participation.
¾ Improve citizens’ awareness and participation
in solid waste management.

Solutions¾ Improve information exchanges between cities.
¾ Create city standards for solid waste management.
¾ Integrate sustainable waste treatment methods
such as recycling, segregation, waste to energy,
sanitary landfill etc.

¾ Increase budget for solid waste management.

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Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report#06- Storm and wastewater facilities
A dedicated storm water network was proposed and a separation of storm water, gray and black water drains withtreatment of gray and black water before discharge.

Challenges

Solutions¾ Develop dedicated stormwater networks to
reduce flooding and improve environmental
conditions.

¾ Develop a dedicated storm water drainage
system linked to natural drainage networks andretention ponds.

¾ Ensure that septic tank drainage does not enter
storm water drains.

¾ Design flood prevention within the context ofclimate change.

¾ Separate gray and black wastewater¾ Ensure that stormwater networks are developedin accordance with city land use plans¾ Treat wastewater before discharge¾ Coordinate wastewater and stormwater networks
with land use plans¾ Implementation of septic tanks at project or building
level.

#07- Food and potable water
Proposals included improved access to quality food and potable water for vulnerable populations and enforcementof hygiene and food safety standards.

Challenges¾ Provide quantity and quality food access forvulnerable populations at times of crisis such as
Covid and extreme weather events.
¾ Ensure that food is free for toxic chemical treatment.
¾ Ensure that everyone, especially vulnerable
people have access to affordable potable water.

Solutions¾ Integrate the development of the city’s safe
water supply network into development plans.
¾ Improve enforcement of hygiene and food safety
standards.
¾ Support public health with the limitation on
the advertisement and sale of cigarettes andalcohol.

#08- Health facilities
Under health care, the priorities were access to facilities for all both at primary health care and specialist levels andpromotion of good health practices.

Challenges

Solutions¾ Ensure that all the population has access tohealthcare facilities.

¾ Ensure that every citizen can access quality
healthcare.

¾ Sub-national healthcare facilities need to beavailable with adequate skilled human resources,
treatment facilities and budget and all shouldhave access.

¾ Ensure that the provision of the different healthcare services is planned in an optimized way atcity levels.

¾ Primary health care facilities need to be available
for all to reduce preventable diseases and toprovide for the needs of women and young children.

¾ Support health improvement and promote good
health treatment and practices.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report19#09- Safety and Security
Proposals made under safety and security included improved responses to emergencies and protection from theftand personal attacks supported by the safe village and commune process in urban areas.

Challenges¾ Reduce crime and dangerous activities and protect
citizens from threats, theft, personal attacks and useof drugs.
¾ Need to improve emergency responses to accidents,
fires and health emergencies.
¾ Improve safety of cyclists and pedestrians¾ Need to adopt the “village, commune safety andsecurity policy in cities.

Solutions¾ Set up surveillance cameras at strategic locations.
and supporting control center¾ Creation of dedicated trained security services
for all¾ Ensure coordinated risk and emergency information.
¾ Support ‘’safe village, commune’’ implementationin urban areas.

¾ More mass awareness campaigns and training
programs to promote safety and security among the
population, especially for women and children.

#10- Smart City Development
Smart City development provides opportunities to bring in digital technology to improve city planning anddevelopment, but this requires additional financial and technical resources and staff training.

Challenges¾ More resources required for Smart City development.
¾ Provide additional professional human resources,
ICT training and technical equipment for the city
authorities.
¾ Provide financial and management resources forthe implementation of Smart City initiatives.
¾ Ensure digital deployment leaves no one behind.

Solutions¾ Implement programs to equip local authorities
with digital skills.
¾ Ensure effective integration of new technologies.
¾ National Ministries to prioritize
practical training of SNAs and LAs,on Smart Cities technical aspects.
¾ Provide human resources, technical tools, andpractical skills and knowledge of best practices
on Smart City development.
¾ Integrate climate resilient infrastructures, within
the Smart City planning.
¾ Develop partnerships with other cities on Smart
City development.

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Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report#11- Environment and Natural Resources Development
Improved environmental conditions and the development of natural resources in compliance with existing codes
were proposed together with the provision of more resources for maintenance of urban infrastructure.

Challenges¾ Integrate environmental development features incompliance with existing environmental laws, suchas the recently adopted Environment and Natural
Resources Code (2023 ENR Code).
¾ Provide sufficient resources for the development
and maintenance of urban infrastructure including
waste management practices and climate resilience.

Solutions¾ Cambodian specific development and managementof infrastructures¾ Use land use information to support infrastructure
design which includes energy efficiency, climate
resilience and accessibility for all.

#12- Coordination (general)
The development of Smart Cities required improved coordination between inter-government organizations andlocal Smart City initiatives supported by training on project design and management.

Challenges¾ Need to improve coordination in, methods, tools andapproaches for inter-governmental organizations
involved in Smart city initiatives.

Solutions¾ Provide local authorities with practical training
methods on coordination of project design andmanagement.

#13- Services Delivery (inclusive and quality services)
Access to city services is a challenge especially for vulnerable citizens and the provision of a one window service
was proposed as part of a response to reach every citizen.

Challenges¾ Limited financing and lack of coordinated service
delivery are negatively affecting citizens especiallyvulnerable people

Solutions¾ Ensure that essential infrastructures and basic
services effectively reach every citizen.
¾ Develop a city planning matrix tool, to support
city development with public services processed
through a one window service.
¾ Implement social insurance for all.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report21#14- Communication & Interaction
Citizens’ participation is important for the successful development of Smart Cities, and this requires reliable data to
be openly available and a feedback process established.

Challenges

Solutions¾ Need to develop access to reliable data.

¾ Facilitate interactive communication with the citizens,¾ Increase citizen participation in city developments.

¾ Develop feedback and citizen participation in city
initiatives.

¾ Need to promote successful projects.

#15- City Economic Development
The future development of Smart Cities requires support for economic development and the proposals included
support to SME’s and the need to develop special economic zones and tourism opportunities.

Challenges¾ Support required through incentives from thegovernment for SMEs and individual businesses invarious sectors, including tourism, agriculture,
education and healthcare.
¾ Diversify the tourism sector, particularly ecotourism,by expanding the range of high-quality services andhospitality.
¾ Need to add value to agricultural products toincrease value for local and international markets.
¾ Need to further develop and modernize special
economic zones Lack of adequate skills need to beprovided by technical and vocational education andtraining.

Solutions¾ Supporting SMEs, with training, strengthened
competitiveness and improved market access.
¾ Promote local businesses, local products, andlocal employment¾ Support associations of local businesses withTVET
¾ Diversify tourism activities and services.
¾ Develop hospitality quality standards.
¾ Collaborate with the private sector to develop
services and events for business travelers.
¾ Developan agriculture market for food processing,organic agriculture to comply with international
standards.
¾ Develop innovative business models to support
Smart City financing.

4.2. Smart City response and support:
Following the city stakeholders consolidated findings on challenges and solutions, a series of proposed responses,
elaborated by the consultant team, with the aim of providing support from the Smart City perspective, are developed
below.
These “Smart responses” are showcasing how relevant use of ICT based technologies and tools could
the suggested solutions in systematically addressing the identified challenges.

support

These proposed responses are aligned with the concept of a Smart approach where the use of ICT’s is supporting
the development of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities in Cambodia.

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Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report#01- Land use and planning¾ Cities need a simple land use planning tool, supporting local conditions and development potential.
¾ The city’s land use plan will ensure coherent planning and overall city development. This data will also guide thedevelopment of infrastructures for future city expansion.
¾ To support the city’s long-term vision, land reservation, and public land provision for future public investment
projects, is required.
¾ The land use plan should include land use regulations and development density.
¾ Sustainability and climate change risks should be included in development plans.
¾ Digitalize the land use and planning information to provide the basis for all development works for the city and its
infrastructures.
¾ The digitalized land use and planning information can provide different layers according to city

profiles.

¾ The involved actors will need to be trained in its use.
¾ The digital land use plan will identify conflicting and land use functions.
¾ The digital land use plan will support the planning of infrastructures according to existing needs and future
expansion.
¾ The digital land use plan will allow land to be reserved for future public land management and adequate
infrastructures provision and its layers will provide plans for mobility infrastructures, energy systems and water
development.
¾ Scenarios can be tested according to local conditions and digital tools will support resilience and mitigation forclimate change and extreme weather events that cause flooding and landslides and other related events.
¾ The digital land use plan can ensure compliance with land use regulations.
¾ Ensure that each of the Smart City responses meets the identified challenges.

#02- Temporary Shelters¾ Use digital planning support to develop options for those in temporary shelters.
¾ Use the city digital land use and infrastructures information to determine best options for development projects that
optimize benefits for stakeholders.

#03- Urban mobility¾ Develop safety standards for all modes of transport.
¾ Integrate parking requirements in digital land use planning.
¾ Use digital tools to monitor the development and maintenance of the road network.
¾ Create an application to provide the users with best options to go from one place to another.

#04- Clean and Green Cities¾ Use digital infrastructure design tools to facilitate the integration of green areas within a city planning, ensuring
adequate design and technical compliance.
¾ Include green and recreational facilities in Smart City Development plans including sidewalks, tree planting andriverside recreational development.

#05- Solid Waste¾ Use digital technologies to enhance waste management and facilitate interactions between citizens, collection
firms, and authorities with user friendly applications.
¾ Use digital tools to facilitate the provisions of solid waste management skills through training.
¾ Develop a city digital standards tool, dedicated to solid waste management, processes and stakeholders’ coordination,¾ Support for waste treatment, recycling and circular economy development.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report23#06- Storm and wastewater networks¾ Integrate rainwater infrastructures in the city digital planning and land use matrix.
¾ Using digital tools to provide, at city scale, nature-based solutions such as existing retention ponds and drainage
networks.
¾ Use digital design tools to plan for extreme weather events (rainfall) and plan for capacity requirements for the
impact of climate change.

#07- Food and potable Water¾ Integrate within the city digital planning, potable water supply network provision.
¾ Support local food quality and affordability, by encouraging local food production and supply.
¾ Use digital tools to support food hygiene and safety controls and certifications.

#08- Health facilities¾ Ensure an effective, resilient and sustainable healthcare system with affordable access for every citizen.
¾ Use digital technologies to ensure access to quality treatment and medicines to health practitioners,¾ Introduce registered healthcare services on digital maps to inform patients about the location of services healthcare
NGOs and pharmacies.
¾ Introducing online doctors’ consultation.
¾ Use digital technology to promote awareness of good health practices, information promotion and dissemination.

#09- Safety and Security¾ Use of CCTV tools and control center, to provide technology support with real time information exchange.
¾ Use digital tools to support lost and found service, and to match lost property with owners¾ Strengthen law enforcement with the combination of digital surveillance cameras and coordination of field forces.
¾ Develop a monitoring center of meteorological data through digital tools, to provide local information on extreme
weather events.

#10- Smart City Development¾ Ensure Smart City policy and regulations are in place.
¾ Through digital learning toolkits and modules for Smart Cities illustrate practical examples¾ Use digital tools to analyze the city’s development progress and the new challenges it faces.

#11- Environment and Natural Resources Development¾ Ensure that citizens understand and support project cycle digital tools, as a supportive process to follow project
development.
¾ Use innovative approaches for citizens to understand city development.
¾ The digital planning tools will also facilitate the city to review and ensure compliance with plans and permissions.

#12- Coordination (general)¾ Provide digital based learning tools to support the introduction of new technologies on project management andmonitoring.
¾ Develop and implement digital governance tools (data platforms) and operational processes to allow access to
information by city stakeholders.
¾ Support projects validation and administrative decisions with digital secured workflow technologies.
¾ Explore the provision of a minimum E-Governance toolkit for each city,

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Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report#13- Services Delivery (inclusive & quality services)¾ Using digital technologies to support the cities with the provision of guidelines to integrate infrastructure and basic
services within their design, planning, and Smart City framework.
¾ Support LAs with the digital tools to be used for public services delivery.
¾ Support financing to support infrastructures and services and develop an adequate budget for each city.
¾ Integrating digital literacy and digital social service usage, within vulnerable communities, with the support ofNGOs, CSOs, civil society.
¾ Use digital platform to link social initiatives and coordination and optimization of their resources.

#14- Communication & Interaction¾ Develop a digital city application, for tourists, citizens, investors and others giving general city information including
information on emergency services and the possibility of citizens feedback!
¾ Develop citizen-based apps such as those for tuk tuks
¾ Create digital platforms for the authorities and institutions, to facilitate exchange of information between thegovernment and citizens.
¾ Promote through digital channels successful city projects and Smart City initiatives.
¾ Share through digital platforms on the Smart City information on initiatives in other cities.

#15- City Economic Development¾ Develop online business information platforms.
¾ Organize e-commerce training and information provision related to digital business for SMEs.
¾ Support with digital platforms, effective access to city skills and e-learning practical training in Khmer language.
¾ Develop online marketplaces.
¾ Organize city business groups through online platforms.
¾ Use digital tools to develop PPPs frameworks and develop innovative Smart City business models.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report25

5 CONCLUSION - MOVING FORWARD
The assessment was based in the four Cambodian cities of Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penhusing a People Centered approach based on the Human Security Methodology and the Smart Cities concept. It
identified the challenges and potential solutions of the cities and proposed future development solutions using a Smart
Cities approach from which a Roadmap for Smart City development can be developed.
In each of the four cities, site visits were made, workshops were held with participants including deputy governors, city
council members, city vice mayors, representatives from provincial departments including education, transportation,
posts and telecoms, and urban planning, Sangkat and Commune councilors, civil society organizations and development
partners. In addition, interviews were conducted with a range of city stakeholders. Two series of workshops wereorganized. The first series of workshops in each of the four cities focused on data collection and analysis and the second
series of workshops were used to validate the findings with local stakeholders.
Seven indicators using a People Centered approach was used to identify the challenges from a peoples’ perspective
and at the city level a five dimensions approach was used to identify possible solutions. From the data sets 15 action
areas were used to classify the challenges and proposed solutions and from this potential Smart City responses weredeveloped.
The findings suggest that Smart City development will be an opportunity to use digital tools to improve and coordinate
city development and provide an opportunity for citizen participation. In addition, it will create the possibility of cities toshare experiences both within Cambodia and with Smart City programmes in other countries. The Smart City approach
will ensure that essential infrastructures and basic services are provided for everyone in the city and interaction between
citizens and concerned government departments and city authorities as partners in the city’s development. It will also
ensure that the challenges faced by vulnerable communities are addressed and they have equal access to infrastructure
and basic services on the principle of no one being left behind.
Recommendation to move forward:
This assessment and proposals for development solutions, based on local consultations will be useful in policy formulationon the regulatory and institutional arrangements needed for Smart City development and a National Roadmap for adevelopment framework with practical steps and actions using a digital framework.
Next steps:
Building on successful initiatives and existing activities such as those in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Cambodia can:• Develop a Roadmap and action plan to support the development of the Smart City framework, policy documents
and institutional arrangements.
• Initiate a capacity building programme that will support national and subnational authorities to develop and use
digital tools and Smart City approaches to development.
• Develop the partnerships and resource mobilization to support the Smart City implementation phase.
• Prepare and finance Smart City pilot projects.
Conclusion: Cambodian Cities potential:
Cambodia has today a unique opportunity to develop its own Smart City model with inclusive and sustainable
development, while supporting economic growth and resilience.
In a situation where climate change and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent creating food andwater threats amongst other things, Smart Cities create an opportunity to invest in local ecosystems and leverage thecountry’s global development and resilience.
The population of Cambodian cities is growing rapidly, in common with all the countries in the region and this cancreate an opportunity for a Smart City approach to support resilient systems that support improvements in the life
quality for its citizens and for citizens to become partners in its development through the digital processes that are an
integral part of the Smart City Programme. The Smart City approach will optimize city and national resources.
Cities need to be supported by adequate financing and the technical tools to maximize the benefits, and its line
ministries and local authorities to have the professional skills.

26

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment ReportAnnex 01: Four Cities Key findings (extracts)
Key findings of each City – Siem Reap | Battambang | Preah Sihanouk | Phnom Penh - (extracts)
Part 1:
Key findings using the 7 People Center (Human Security) indicators, to provide information onpriority needs and challenges from a people perspective.
Indicator 1 – Economic Impact

Siem Reap
Road Congestion
Roads and sidewalks are
obstructed with parked
vehicles and informal
stalls. causing traffic andpedestrian congestion.

Battambang
Need for economic
diversification
There is a needfor promoting anddiversifying local
economic development
through support forsmall and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs).

Preah Sihanouk
Need for improved
traffic and transportmanagement
There is a lack ofappropriately locatedparking spaces in thecity and ad hoc parking
restricts access to shops
and markets.
Public transport should be
developed to provide safe
and affordable mobility
within the city.

Phnom Penh
Need for city wideand sustainableinfrastructure
improvement
This includes improved
road connectivity,
sewerage systems
and public gardens toenhance residents’ qualityof life

The development ofrailroad infrastructure
will encourage the city’s
growth.
Reduction of floodingin the city
Improve the city’s
drainage network capacity
and storm water retention
facilities taking into
account increased rainfall
due to climate change.

Introduction of apps
for residents andtourists
Apps to identify and map
tourist attractions andprovide access to city
services.

Need to develop
building codesand ensure theircompliance.
Enforcement of thebuilding regulations.
Building Codes and realestate development
regulations need to befurther developed.

Traffic congestion
challenge
Traffic congestion ishaving a negative
impact on economic
development and thequality of life in the city
as well as causing air
pollution and traffic
accidents.

Indicator 2 - Food and Indicator 3 - Health

Siem Reap
Improve hygiene
standards
Improve access todrinkable water for all sothat people do not use
unsafe sources
Improve and enforce
hygiene standards atthe point of sale of food,especially fresh meat andfish

Battambang
Improve awareness on
health-related topics
Improve awareness onhygiene, the environmentand health care.

Preah Sihanouk
Improve family’s ability
to manage household
budget in the context
of inflation in foodprices and decrease inincomesPrioritize expenditure andidentify essential items tomaintain good health

Phnom Penh
Improve accessto basic utilities
especially watersupply, drainage
and electricity which
are essential for
maintaining household
health and security

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report27

Improve access tohealth care facilities
Provide improved accessto health care facilities
and use ICT network todevelop better access tohealth care system.

Improved seweragesystems

Improve basic
infrastructures accessConnect all households to Ensure basic
gray water and sewerage infrastructures for every
system.
city inhabitant especiallyaccess to drinkable water
Ensure there is noand electricity to reduceleakage or overflow fromwater related diseases.
sewerage system.

Ban advertising ofproducts that damage
health especiallycigarettes and alcohol

Indicator 4 - Environment

Siem Reap
Improve waste
managementwith households’
participation
Improve disposal ofwaste with cooperation ofhouseholds
Improve collectionof waste-by-waste
management companies

Battambang
Promote the clean
city and green
infrastructures
Need to support thepromotion of cleanliness,at all levels, and for
citizens to better
understand that a Smart
City includes cleanvillages, and clean cities.
Sustainable green
infrastructures need
to be promoted fortheir development andimplementation.

construction policy
and legal permit
compliance

Improvement ofliving conditions in
temporary settlements

Preah Sihanouk
Land use plan toinclude promotion of
positive environmental
impact
The land use plan has toprovide complementaryand environmentallycompatible zoning for
all land uses and avoid
conflicting land uses suchas land fill next to school.

Improvement ofwaste management
processes

Phnom Penh
Provide green spaces
To ensure adequate
provision of green
spaces for recreational
purposes and improved
environmental conditions.

Introduce technologies
to monitor waste
management andpollution control

Ensure construction
projects are being
undertaken in compliancewith legal permits
and construction
policies regarding city
infrastructures andbeautification.

Improve the provision of
infrastructure and living
conditions in temporary
settlements

Dispose of waste inappropriate areas such as
landfills that are designed
to prevent environmental
pollution and pollution of
the surrounding land andwater

Use digital technology tocontrol air pollution andwater contamination andimprove environmental
conditions

Increase resources forcity beautification

Increase resources forgreening the city

Increase green areasand integrated green
infrastructures

Develop construction
policy details andimprove enforcement

Increase resources
available to enhance
the management andbeautification of the Siem
Reap River.

28

Increase resources forgreening the city including Improve the street andimprovement of theroad networks with
Battambang River areas.
a sustainable green
dimension
Improve and increase
recreational areas with agreen dimension.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report

Approval construction
projects prior to theirimplementation to ensure
public safety, and promoteresponsible urban
development.

Indicator 5 - Personal security and 6 - Community safety

Siem Reap
Need to strengthen
security measures
Strengthen security
measures to reduce thethreat of robberies andaccidents.
Dedicated police
services and trained civil
servants.
Instal surveillance cameras
and a control center
Develop policies tomanage safety intemporary shelter
areas
Reduce exposure todiseases to people
living in in-adequate
infrastructures areas.
Improve safety from
criminals.

Battambang

Preah Sihanouk

Improved technologies
Enhance safety andand processes forsecurity measures.
safety and security
Improve nighttime safety
and security.
Implementation ofsurveillance cameras in
Develop security camera
some areas of the city
networks and its effective
Improve the roads, cross- monitoring
roads, and sidewalks
designs to improve andintroduce surveyancecameras.
Improve digital public
services

Safety & Security
related impact due to:road conditions andtraffic regulation

Phnom Penh
Ensure adequate
access to basic
infrastructures
Ensure the access to
all the city residents tominimum quality standardsof infrastructure, for water,energy, roads and waste
management to ensure
safe living conditions.
Support ‘’safe village,
commune’’Continue to develop andexpand public services
using ICT technologies
for civic registration,
all land administration
process, ID card issuance,and other services

Implementation of the“safe village, commune”
There is a need topolicy to maintain social
improve the condition oforder and security within
the road network, to allow the community.
safe travel with vehicles.

Battambang

Preah Sihanouk

Reduce inappropriate
behavior within fragile
groups of persons.

The traffic regulations
need to be better
followed by people
driving in the city to avoid
traffic accidents.

Indicator 7 - Governance

Siem Reap
infrastructuresdevelopment
framework to becomplemented withintegrated sustainable
implementation
Increase resources
for implementation,
maintenanceand operation of
infrastructures

Need of adequate
resources to handle
proper Smart City
development
Provide resources,
including human,
technical, and financial
resources and technology.
Increase Provincial
and City budgets
for infrastructuresdevelopment andexpansion.

Improve land use
planning for detailed
development
Elaborate land use
planning to optimize
development and land
use control
Ensure balanced
distribution of the different
land uses to ensure
adequate provisionof infrastructure andservices for the city togrow economically and to
improve the quality of lifeof its inhabitants.

Increase human andfinancial resources todeliver public services.

Need of better
communication andinformation availability

Support long term
vision and sustainableinfrastructures

Need for funds for humanresources, developmentof technical skills,
finances, and technology
equipment

Improve access to
information, for citizens
information and local
authorities’ coordination.

Support the city to reachits strategic objectivesof sustainable and smart
development.
Integrate transportation
solutions into the city
master plan
Include climatic risks
and climate change inthe planning of resilient
infrastructures.

Phnom Penh
Need holistic digitaldevelopments to
support the Smart City
implementation
Develop digital systems
to enhance decisionmaking especially for ,infrastructure,
Develop digitalprogrammes for humanresource development
and materials andequipment management.

Need for Smart
City tools to support
optimized urban
development
Internationally andregionally, the need for
Recognize Smart City
development to support
challenges, faced byurban areas,

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report29Develop a clear andcomprehensive land
use plan
Develop a comprehensive
plan for the establishmentof hospitals, residential
areas, schools, anda range of essential
services such as
restaurants, entertainment
venues, and guest
houses.

Need for engagementof Smart City
stakeholders
The concept of a
Smart City should be
widely shared andcommunicated to all
relevant stakeholders

Development of public
services and ICT tools
Organize how digital
supportive tools will work,
how they will coordinate
together, and how the city
actors will be trained touse them to support their
daily activities.

Need of commitment
by citizens andgovernment officials
This is essential for the
implementation of a Smart
City project.

Improve infrastructuresthat are lacking according
to some areas and toforecast the need for thecity ‘s future development.

Part 2:
Key findings using 5 City multi-dimensions, to provide suggestions with solutions paths, from a City
perspective.
1. Urban Economy:

Siem Reap

Battambang

Preah Sihanouk

Phnom Penh

Launch advertising
campaigns and eventsin collaboration with theprivate sector

Increase economic
resilience when crisis
occurs for citizens and
SMEs:

Development of local
markets, such as the “onevillage, one product”

Enhance the quality of
tourism related services,

Taxes. interest rates
and loans payment withflexible options.

Supporting local
individuals and SMEs
to develop withinconventional andemerging markets

Diversify tourism
attractions for bothinternational and local
tourists
Diversification of
the industry sector
and handicrafts bystrengthening small andmedium-sized enterprises(SMEs).

Develop employment
opportunities for the local
population,
Support TVET with latest
market trends to alignskills provision,

Explore emerging markets
Support SMEs with skills
for local products anddevelopment,
increase local products
competitiveness.
Support businesscapabilities for products
Promoting job creationfor export.
and providing skill training
programs to enable
individuals to adapt toemerging markets.

30

Provide skills support,
TVET related education,
grants and resource
funding.
Strengthen the tourism
sector,Promote SMEs and local
products growth,
Support local industries
and enhance thecompetitiveness of locallymade products,
Improvee-payments
systems,

Promote existing and new
attractions (night market, Online-marketplaces,
food courts),
online meeting anddocuments processes,
Improve quality anddigital business skills.
standards (starting withfood and hygiene).

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment ReportAllocate adequate
financial resources fromthe central government
to effectively implement
Smart City initiatives andprojects outlined in theroadmap.

Preservation of existing
heritage buildings
Create new attractions fortourists.

Develop local agriculture- aquaculture and farmingwith green - organic fieldpractices.

Promotion of international
and local tourism
Flexible policies for visas,

Use the SEZ to increase
local interactions andstrengthen the local
economy.

Enable the city to achievefinancial autonomy inrevenue collection and
expenditure

Extension the current port
warehouses
Turn the city into abusiness center

Promote public-private
partnerships (PPPs)
to attract private
investments.

Support public-private
partnerships

2. Urban Environment and sustainability

Siem Reap

Battambang

Preah Sihanouk

Phnom Penh

Consider climate change)
when designing city
infrastructure to ensure
their resilience.

Improve the resilience ofthe city to climate change

Continue efforts toenhance the city
through initiatives suchas tree planting, gatedcommunities and public
spaces, sidewalk
improvements and theinstallation of solar panels

Improve waste
management
infrastructures

Encourage citizens toplant more trees andreduce the use of plastics.

Implement measures
to reduce the importof products containing
high levels of chemical
substances and conduct
chemical tests.

Construct infrastructuresthat will be resilient andin accordance with themasterplan.

Integrate sustainable
development
considerations intodevelopment projects forlong-term environmental,social, and economic
benefits.

Develop a plan to address Disseminate information
climate-related hazards
about natural disasters.
Implement measures tomitigate risks associatedwith wastewater overflow,city flooding, and waste
management
Undertake project impact
assessments before
project implementation
Address the needs ofaffected communities andindividuals.
Monitor completed andongoing projects aspart of project impact
assessment
Prepare resettlement
plans before therelocation of affected
communities.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report31

3. Urban Society and education

Siem Reap

Battambang

Preah Sihanouk

Phnom Penh

Provide Technical andVocational Education andTraining (TVET) skills, suchas agriculture, technicians,
hospitality, waste
management …

Improve the quality healthfacilities by improving
equipment and ensuring
an adequate number ofdoctors.

Extend public services
and infrastructures (roads,
parks, sewerage systems)
to reach all communities.

Implement a social
protection program forthe most vulnerable
population.

Provide support forfamily-based agricultural
production to achievefinancial self-reliance

Create employment
opportunities for the local
population.

Introduce environmental
and sanitation topics into
the education curriculum.

Implement measures toensure access to clean
drinking water andpromote hygienic foodhandling.

Implement a social
protection program
including social insurance
coverage for the general
population.

Promote a culture of foodquality

Raise awareness on Smart
City concepts among
citizens, local authorities,
and government entities.

Consider implementing
restrictions on alcohol
advertising through media
and in public spaces

Siem Reap

Battambang

Preah Sihanouk

Phnom Penh

Enhance publicawareness andeducation to encourage
citizens’ understanding
and participation incity development in
partnership with local
authorities.

Mobilize partners andnetworks associated with
Smart Cities to foster
knowledge-sharing.

Ensure law enforcement,
specifically in the areasof urban planning andconstruction.

Promote E-governmentand human resource
development within public
administration.

Allocate adequate
financial resources fromthe central government
to implement Smart City
initiatives and projects
identified in the roadmap.

Address the issues ofillegal and unfinishedbuildings.

Establish ongoingprofessional development
among government
officials and provide
them with incentives
and recognition for their
exceptional achievements.

Provide relocated citizens
with land ownership rights
and ID-poor cards.

4. Urban Governance:

Consult people andbefore initiating
development projects.

Allocate a budget for
Conducting project impact Smart City initiatives suchassessments to maximize as road connectivity withinbenefits for citizens
Sangkats, seweragesystem, health andeducation etc.

Ensure government
officials have a clear
understanding of theirroles, responsibilities,
and their organizational
structures.
Ensure that citizens
have access to relevant
information regarding
service delivery,
processes, and decisionmaking.

32

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment ReportSupport inter-ministerial
coordination for thevoluntary relocationof temporary shelters/
communities,

Develop policies
for implementing amonitoring system to track
the status and challengesof city development.

Implement acompensation policy,
ensuring a smooth
relocation process.

Develop specificpolicies for Smart City
development.
Explore Smart Cities
capacity and institutionalbuilding.

Establish community
or village groups on
Telegram, Facebook
Messenger, or WhatsApp
for information sharing.

Set up a municipallevel office dedicatedto Smart City initiatives
with appropriate humanresources.

Safeguard publicland, prevention of
encroachment bytemporary shelters,

Support theimplementation of a
Smart City approach,involving sub-national
administrations at alllevels and engaging
citizens.

Improve the process ofgranting legal ownership

Improve public services, in Implement training
areas related to land and programs for all
taxes
government institutions
and agencies to equip
Ensure the effective
them with essential digitaldelivery of public services
skills (D-Essential).
by implementing digitalsolutions that enable
National ministries should
monitoring of submissions prioritize capacity building
and regularly provide
coaching opportunities
to sub-national officials,
focusing specifically ontechnical aspects related
to Smart Cities,

Relocate occupantsof public lands within
SEZ through a smooth
resettlement mechanism

Establish a map
specifically dedicated to
Smart City development
Integrate technologies
into actions and projects
to enhance efficiency,
effectiveness, in various
aspects of governance.

5. Urban Infrastructures:

Siem Reap

Battambang

Preah Sihanouk

Phnom Penh

Promote public-private
partnerships (PPPs) toenhance public services,such as the constructionof roads and bridges,

Construct climate-smart
irrigation systems.

Rehabilitate the canals
and waterways in the city.

Strengthen thedevelopment of the digital
infrastructures to enhance
online communication,
digital finance, throughsecure online platforms

Leverage ICT tools
for payment of water,electricity, and public
mobility services

Establish dedicatedservice centers for city
buses.

Efficient solid waste andwastewater management

Rehabilitate drainage/
canals and seweragesystems:

Strengthen sustainable
and resilient systems forhealthImplement additional city
infrastructure projects tomeet the requirements fortransforming into a Smart
City

Create boat services
along Stung Sangkae
Re-establish the Veal Bek
Chan Airport.

100% coverage ofelectricity, guaranteeing
stable and reliable power
supply in all villages,
health centers, schools,
and other essential
facilities.

Enhance phone coverageand internet connectivity,
Install optic cables in key
locations
Implement the installationof Wi-Fi networks in publicareas.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report33

Recently achieved or ongoing activities (supported by development partners) :Siem Reap

Battambang

Preah Sihanouk

Significant progress inestablishing an effective
Smart City framework,
which includes theestablishment of a Smart
City Committee, a Division
for Smart City (currently
proposed at the national
level), and a Smart City
Working Group (SCWG).
SCWG collectively involve
provincial and municipal
authorities, as well as
relevant technical line
departments, to ensure
the success of the Smart
City initiative.

Establishing acomprehensive master
plan, known as the Vision
for Battambang 2030,
to guide and shapedevelopment initiatives(developed in 2015).

Collaborating to develop
its Smart City visionpotential scenarios.

Already developed a
Smart City Roadmap forthe period 2023-2035,
with support from JICA
to implement some smart
city pilot initiatives, andit also includes training
opportunities to enhance
the knowledge andcapacity related to smart
city technologies andpractices.

Some priority projects
have started like: Clean
Sangka Development& Riverfront area
development project;
Green industrial park,
New Bypass Road to bringheavy / logistic traffic
outside of the city center.

The City has moved
ahead working with
development partners
within 3 mains areas:
Solid and Liquid Waste
Management | Urban
Street and Public SpaceManagement |Phnom Penh

Smart & Sustainable
City Strategic Road
Map: 2022-2035: This
document provides anWith UN-Habitat and aoverview of Smart City
set of 13 recommended
readiness, including maincontextual actions topriorities and directions,handle, and an approachsteps and practicalthat prioritizes a humanprocesses, and examples
focus.
of pilots to start effectively
the implementation
With Australianprocess (some of themdevelopment support
have been alreadydefining 12 strategic
launched); the document
priorities, and an
is also aiming at initiating
approach that prioritizes
a comprehensive set ofa digital focus.
documents to initiate aBoth approaches are
related strategic masterrelevant to the City needs, plan
and are covering the main
challenges related to City
sustainable and Smart
Development
Sustainable City Plan
2018-2030: provides aroadmap for Cambodianpolicy makers, local
administrators andtheir national andinternational development
partners to pursue theimplementation of urban
green growth.

Recently achieved and ongoing initiatives within the Cities

Siem Reap

Battambang

Preah Sihanouk

Phnom Penh

Constructed 38 roadsegments using asubstantial allocation fromthe national budget andequipping them with smart
camera systems, resulting
in the establishment ofstandardized roads.

Successfully implemented
a project to enhance
the city by relocating all
temporary individuals andcommunities to newly
resettled villages, with
their agreement andcooperation.

Trying to increaseinteraction between local
SMEs and bigger firms
in the SEZ, in order toboost local economy andindirect revenues

The city has madesignificant strides in its
initiatives, including thedevelopment of a newsmart expressway (PNPSHV), the construction ofbridges in the Capital, andthe introduction of rivertransportation options
such as boats and ships.
These achievements
showcase the city’scapacity to explore new
avenues and foster
innovation.

34

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment ReportRules and regulations
put in place for waste
management

There are multiple
existing mechanisms
and platforms available
for collaboration andpartnerships with
development partners
and other stakeholders
for the benefits of city
development.

Some Public Buses should
be available in the near
future, some work on thebest possible itinerary are
ongoing.

The provision of IDPOOR to citizens and theimplementation of OneWindow Service Offices(OWSO) are essential
measures to enhance
public service delivery
and ensure efficient
access to government
services.

One-Window Service
Offices have been
established and areoperational, providing
streamlined services tocitizens

Received awards forbeing a smart city
recognized for its
cleanliness, smart
initiatives, andenvironmental efforts.

The Smart Parking project,through a possible Public
Private Partnershipscenario (with MEF
involvement) has been
supported by a feasibility
study

Establishing a telegram
group among relevant
institutions enables
efficient communicationand coordination in
responding to citizen
requests and addressing
their concerns promptly
and effectively.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report35Annex 02: 15 points matrix table
Technical work support: 15 areas of action, matrix table document
Priority Needs and Challenges - Recommendation and Directions towards Solutions - Smart City support
response proposal.

#01 Land use & planning:
A - Challenges
Lack of detail in land use andplanning component
conflicting projects near eachotherLack of identified projects
Development plans are notenforced
Conflicting projects near eachotherLack of existing land use
information
Lack of national or largescale development projects
hampering economic
development
Inadequate investment in city
infrastructure

B - Solutions
Cities need a land use planning
tool for city development toguide the development of
infrastructures and futurecity expansion, taking into
account local conditions anddevelopment potential.
For achieving the city’s longterm vision, land reservation,and public land provision
for future public investment
projects is required.
The detailed plans should
include land use regulations anddevelopment densities.
Sustainability and climatechange risks should be included
in development plans.

Not enough government
support for infrastructuresdevelopment these aresometimes happening but are
not enough.

C - Smart City response
Cities need a simple land use
planning tool, supporting local
conditions and development
potential.
The city’s land use plan will
ensure coherent planningand overall city development.
This data will also guide thedevelopment of infrastructure for
future city expansion.
To support the city’s long-term
vision, land reservation, andpublic land provision for future
public investment projects, isrequired.
The land use plan should
include land use regulations anddevelopment density.
Sustainability and climatechange risks should be included
in development plans
Digitalize the land use andplanning information to provide
the basis for all development
works for the city and its
infrastructures.
The digitalized land use andplanning information can provide
different layers according to city
profiles.
The involved actors will need to
be trained in its use.
The digital land use plan will
identify conflicting and land use
functions.
The digital land use plan
will support the planning of
infrastructures according toexisting needs and future
expansion.
The digital land use plan willallow land to be reserved for
future public land management
and adequate infrastructures
provision and its layers will
provide plans for mobility
infrastructures, energy systems
and water development.

36

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment ReportScenarios can be tested
according to local conditions
and digital tools will support
resilience and mitigation forclimate change and extreme
weather events that cause
flooding and landslides andother related events.
The digital land use plan canensure compliance with land use
regulations.
Ensure that each of the Smart
City response meets theidentified challenges.

#02 Temporary Shelters
A - Challenges
Need to propose sustainablelong-term options that allow
communities to access higher
life quality in the context ofdevelopment plans.
Relocation sites are notprovided with adequate
infrastructures, are too far from
employment opportunities
potentials or lack access tofinancial support.
For those who are being
considered for relocationneed to provide support suchas temporary administrative
addresses and civil documents
and infrastructure connections.

B - Solutions
Develop solutions such as landownership and housing options,access to infrastructure on
existing or relocation sites.
Support for income options
including skill development.
Develop preventive measures
such as supporting housing andinfrastructures options for lowincome categories and laborers.

C - Smart City response
Use digital planning support
to develop options for those intemporary shelters.
Use the city digital land use
and infrastructures information
to determine best options
for development projects
that optimize benefits forstakeholders.

Sharing of best practices fromexisting housing projects
on climate change resilient
housing, green and affordable
building materials
Provision of relocation options
for migrants, those displacedfor ‘’public interest’’ projects
such as infrastructures andthose who are unauthorizedoccupants of lands
Develop people centeredrelocations before starting major
projects.

#03- Urban mobility
A - Challenges

B - Solutions

C - Smart City response

Poor quality of secondary road
construction

Improve traffic management
including law enforcement.

Develop safety standards for allmodes of transport.

Insufficient budget for roadmaintenanceRoad network and parking
facilities to be developed inaccordance with development
plan.

Integrate parking requirements
in digital land use planning.

Poor quality roads have anegative impact on economic
development

Use digital tools to monitor thedevelopment and maintenanceof the road network.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report37

Lack of parking around
shopping areas and markets

Improve road maintenance andincrease budget.

Lack of public transport

Ensure connectivity between
different modes of transport.

Create an application to provide
the users with best options to gofrom one place to another.

Improve connectivity between
local, provincial and nationalmodes of transport by road,river and rail.

#04- Clean and Green Cities
A - Challenges
Improve citizens’ behavior
on littering and waste
management.
Provide more green spaces andmore recreation places.
Improve quality of urban living
and promoting a green futureand establish standards foropen spaces in developmentplans

B - Solutions
Develop awareness campaigns
and integrate the clean andgreen concept within the Smart
City development.
Integrate green components
within the city development
plans.

C - Smart City response
Use digital infrastructure
design tools to facilitate theintegration of green areas
within a city planning, ensuring
adequate design and technicalcompliance.
Include green and recreational
facilities in Smart City
Development plans including
sidewalks, tree planting
and riverside recreational
development#05- Solid waste
A - Challenges
Implementation of solid
waste management systems
including strengthening of
regulatory framework, adequate
infrastructure, innovativetechnologies, waste recycling,
public awareness and private,public participation.
Improve citizens’ awarenessand participation in solid waste
management

B - Solutions
Improve information exchanges
between cities
Create city standards for solid
waste management.
Integrate sustainable waste
treatment methods such as
recycling, segregation, waste toenergy, sanitary landfill etc.

Increase budget for solid waste
management.

C - Smart City response
Use digital technologies toenhance the waste management
and facilitate interactions
between citizens, collection
firms, and authorities with user
friendly applications.
Use digital tools to facilitate
the provisions of solid waste
management skills throughtraining.
Develop a city digital standards
tool, dedicated to solid waste
management, processes andstakeholders’ coordination,
Support for waste treatment,
recycling and circular economy
development.

38

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report#06- Storm and wastewater facilities
A - Challenges

B - Solutions

Develop dedicated stormwater
networks to reduce flooding
and improve environmental
conditions.

Develop a dedicated storm
water drainage system linked tonatural drainage networks andretention ponds.

Ensure that septic tank drainage
does not enter storm waterdrains.

Design flood prevention within
the context of climate change.

Separate gray and black
wastewater
Treat wastewater before
discharge Coordinate
wastewater and stormwater
networks with land use plans.

Ensure that stormwater
networks are developed inaccordance with city land use
plans
Implementation of septic tanks
at project or building level.

C - Smart City response
Integrate rainwater
infrastructures in the city digitalplanning and land use matrix.
Using digital tools to provide, atcity scale, nature based solutions
such as existing retention ponds
and drainage networks
Use digital design tools to planfor extreme weather events(rainfall) and plan for capacity
requirements for the impact ofclimate change#07- Food and potable water
A - Challenges
Provide quantity and quality
food access for vulnerable
populations at times of crisis
such as Covid and extreme
weather events.
Ensure that food is free for toxic
chemical treatment.
Ensure that everyone, especiallyvulnerable people have accessto affordable potable water.

B - Solutions

C - Smart City response

Integrate the development of
the city’s safe water supply
network into development plans

Integrate within the city digitalplanning, potable water supply
network provision.

Improve enforcement ofhygiene and food safety
standards.

Support local food quality andaffordability, by encouraging
local food production and supply.

Support public health with thelimitation on the advertisement
and sale of cigarettes andalcohol.

Use digital tools to support foodhygiene and safety controls andcertifications.

#08- Health facilities
A - Challenges
Ensure that all the population
should have access tohealthcare facilities.
Sub-national healthcare
facilities need to be available
with adequate skilled humanresources, treatment facilities
and budget and all should haveaccess.
Primary health care facilities
need to be available for all to
reduce preventable diseases
and to provide for the needs ofwomen and young children.

B - Solutions
Ensure that every citizen canaccess quality healthcare.
Ensure that the provision of thedifferent health care services isplanned in an optimized way atcity levels.
Support health improvement
and promote good healthtreatment and practices.

C - Smart City response
Ensure an effective resilient andsustainable healthcare systemwith affordable access for every
citizen.
Use digital technologies toensure access to quality
treatment and medicines tohealth practitioners,
Introduce registered healthcare
services on digital maps toinform patients about thelocation of services healthcare
NGOs and pharmacies.
Introduce online doctors
consultation
Use digital technology topromote awareness of good
health practices, information
promotion and dissemination.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report39#09- Safety and Security
A - Challenges
Reduce crime and dangerous
activities and protect citizens
from threats, theft, personal
attacks and use of drugs.
Need to improve emergency
responses to accidents, fires
and health emergencies.
Improve safety of cyclists andpedestrians need to adopt the“village, commune safety andsecurity policy in cities.

B - Solutions
Set up surveillance cameras
at strategic locations. andsupporting control center
Creation of dedicated trained
security services for all
Ensure coordinated risk andemergency information.
Support ‘’safe village,
commune’’ implementation in
urban areas.

More mass awarenesscampaigns and training
programs to promote safety andsecurity among the population,
especially for women andchildren.

C - Smart City response
Use of CCTV tools and control
center, to provide technology
support with real time
information exchange.
Use digital tools to support lostand found service, and to match
lost property with owners
Strengthen law enforcementwith the combination of digitalsurveillance cameras andcoordination of field forces.
Develop a monitoring center of
meteorological
data throughdigital tools, to provide local
information on extreme weather
events#10- Smart City Development
A - Challenges
More resources required for
Smart City development.
Provide additional professional
human resources, ICT training
and technical equipment for thecity authorities.
Provide financial andmanagement resources for the
implementation of Smart City
initiatives.
Ensure digital deployment
leaves no one behind.

B - Solutions
Implement programs to equip
local authorities with digitalskills.
Ensure effective integration of
new technologies.
National Ministries to prioritize
practical training of SNAs andLAs, on Smart Cities technicalaspects.
Provide human resources,
technical tools, and practicalskills and knowledge ofbest practices on Smart City
development.
Integrate climate resilient
infrastructures, within the Smart
City planning.
Develop partnerships withother cities on Smart City
development.

40

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report

C - Smart City response
Ensure Smart City policy andregulations are in place.
Through digital learning toolkits
and modules for Smart Cities
illustrate practical examples
Use digital tools to analyze thecity’s development progress andthe new challenges it faces.

#11- Environment and Natural Resources Development
A - Challenges
Integrate environmental
development features incompliance with existing
environmental laws, such as therecently adopted Environment
and Natural Resources Code(2023 ENR Code).
Provide sufficient resources
for the development andmaintenance of urban
infrastructure including waste
management practices andclimate resilience

B - Solutions
Cambodian specificdevelopment and managementof infrastructures
Use land use information
to support infrastructure
design which includes energy
efficiency, climate resilience andaccessibility for all

C - Smart City response
Ensure that citizens understandand support project cycle digital
tools, as a supportive process tofollow project development.
Use innovative approaches
for citizens to understand city
development.
The digital planning tools will
also facilitate the city to review
and ensure compliance withplans and permissions.

#12- Coordination (general)
A - Challenges
Need to improve coordinationin , methods, tools andapproaches for intergovernmental organizations
involved in Smart city initiatives

B - Solutions
Provide local authorities withpractical training methods on
coordination of project design
and management.

C - Smart City response
Provide digital based learning
tools to support the introductionof new technologies on project
management and monitoring.
Develop and implement
digital governance tools (dataplatforms) and operational
processes to allow access to
information by city stakeholders.
Support projects validation
and administrative decisions
with digital secured workflow
technologies.
Explore the provision of aminimum E-Governance toolkit
for each city.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report41#13- Services Delivery (inclusive and quality services)
A - Challenges
Limited financing and lack of
coordinated service delivery
are negatively affecting citizens
especially vulnerable people

B - Solutions
Ensure that essential
infrastructures and basic
services effectively
reachevery citizen.
Develop a city planningmatrix tool, to support city
development with public
services processed through a
one window service.
Implement social insurance forall

C - Smart City response
Using digital technologies
to support the cities with theprovision of guidelines tointegrate infrastructure andbasic services within theirdesign, planning, and Smart City
framework.
Support LAs with the digital tools
to be used for public services
delivery.
Support financing to support
infrastructures and services anddevelop an adequate budget foreach city.
Integrating digital literacy anddigital social service usage,
within vulnerable communities,
with the support of NGOs, CSOs,
civil society
Use digital platforms to linksocial initiatives and coordinationand optimization of theirresources.

#14- Communication and Interaction
A - Challenges

B - Solutions

Need to develop access toreliable data.

Facilitate interactive
communication with the citizens,

Increase citizen participation incity developments

Develop feedback and citizen
participation in city initiatives.

Need to promote successfulprojects

C - Smart City response
Develop a digital city application,
for for tourists, citizens, investors
and others giving general city
information including information
on emergency services and thepossibility of citizens feedback
Develop citizen based apps suchas those for tuk tuks
Create digital platforms for theauthorities and institutions, tofacilitate exchange of information
between the government andcitizens.
Promote through digital channels
successful city projects andSmart City initiatives.
Share through digital platforms
on the Smart City information on
initiatives in other cities

42

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report#15- City Economic Development
A - Challenges

B - Solutions

Support required throughincentives from government for
SMEs and individual businesses
in various sectors, including
tourism, agriculture, educationand healthcare.

Supporting SMEs, with training,
strengthened competitivenessand improved market access.

Diversify the tourism sector,
particularly ecotourism byexpanding the range of highquality services and hospitality.

Support associations of local
businesses with TVET Diversify
tourism activities and services.

Need to add value toagricultural products to increasevalue for local and international
markets.
Need to further develop andmodernize special economic
zones Lack of adequate
skills need to be provided
by technical and vocational
education and training.

Promote local businesses, local
products, local employment.

Develop hospitality quality
standards.
Collaborate with the private
sector to develop services andevents for business travelers.
Develop agriculture market
for food processing, organic
agriculture to comply withinternational standards Develop
innovative business models
to support the Smart City
financing.

C - Smart City response
Develop online businessinformation platforms
Organize e-commerce training
and information provision
related to digital business for
SMEs.
Support with digital platforms,
effective access to city skills ande-learning practical training in
Khmer language.
Develop online marketplaces.
Organize city business groups
through online platforms.
Use digital tools to develop
PPPs frameworks and develop
innovative Smart City businessmodels.

Cities for All: Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in Cambodia
Smart City Assessment Report43