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

Over the last decade, the rapid pace of urbanization in Cambodia has led to challenges in public services management and delivery, including waste and sanitation, water treatment, and transportation. The growing population contributes to new construction for housing and infrastructure, in some cases displacing vulnerable urban communities from the city centers to the outskirts where housing and employment opportunities are more limited. The COVID-19 pandemic compounded these challenges and increased inequalities, particularly those related to the expansion of digital platforms for product delivery and banking that are less accessible to vulnerable communities due to telecommunication infrastructure limitations. Building on the successful UNTFHS initiative “Sihanoukville for All”, implemented by United Nations agencies in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia, this programme will further expand the capacity and technical know-how of diverse stakeholders to promote a people-centered urban development that leaves no one behind.

The main objective of the programme is to support the Royal Government of Cambodia in building more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable cities in the country using the human security approach. The key objectives of the programme are to: (i) support the government in developing a national roadmap on smart and sustainable cities, towards the development of a National Policy Framework by 2025; (ii) build capacities of national and sub-national government authorities to mainstream the human security approach in urban development; and (iii) implement the developed roadmap through integrated partnerships.

KEY MATERIALS 
Programme Summary
Phase 1 of this programme entitled “Sihanoukville for All: Promoting a Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive City” (Sihanoukville for All: Promoting a Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive City – The Human Security Unit)
Smart City Assessment Report
UN Cambodia Article “Momentum gathers in Cambodia towards inclusive, smart and sustainable cities for all”