Envisioning Urban Development

• 31 December 2015
• Local News
• 912 Views

The first time I arrived Phnom Penh, I was shocked by some buildings’ designs which had been copied from other countries, and it made me feel like this country’s originality was missing.

Many condominiums have been developed very fast but the developers’ priority is often only selling with the essence of quality second. By seeing the only the value as an investment property, residential property is not emphasized. In Cambodia, lowering design costs as a consideration is why copying and pasting continues. There’re many differences in taste and style when it comes to urban design organised by individuals because there’s no medium-long term city or country development vision. I wanted to do something about helping generating this vision, so I decided to open an office here.

For example, in Singapore they have a comprehensive urban plan and they’re going forward. This nation is now exporting their city development model through the urban planning which has been implemented. Architecture involves commonality and sociality. This process can be country-led but it might also be privately-led in the case of large-scale projects. In this way, running projects can change from whether they are based on a dream and vision or just to make money. If we can hold the same vision to make a proud town, all of us in this country should walk toward that vision. If it becomes a proud town, it highly motivates the people who live there. If it becomes a beautiful town then it can be connected with tourism.

Architecture and people have a close relationship. We have introduced Japanese thinking into the usage flow design of condominiums which are in progress in Cambodia. Our concept is green, so it is comfortable and safe for people who live there. It is popular when the town looks happy with an exciting plan. Living with pride is crucial for developing the town.

In addition, even a factory and its workers’ accommodation based in the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ), has been designed as a town in a city. Of course the factory’s purpose is productivity purpose but the dormitory is the space that we set for workers to be able to communicate easily with each other. We want to create a happy daily living atmosphere while they are working there.

Leading developers in Cambodia have been outsourcing design to neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Singapore. However our company received an order to design Watanabe Coffee Café’s second branch in Singapore. Cambodian companies being engaged in design in Singapore is a big step forward for the nation.

Talking about urban development depends on whether there is a vision or not. We have raised the concept of creating a medium-long term vision and are sharing it.

Spreading the knowhow of Japanese architecture to young Cambodian people means continuing to share the knowledge I have experienced from Japan with them.