Land use:
Most of the land in Cambodia is rural and used for farming, however, the amount of land that holds city is rapidly growing.
Water Use:
Urbanization:
Since Cambodia is currently in the second stage of demographic transition, urbanization is just beginning. Cities in Cambodia include Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. Over the past decade, urbanization in Cambodia has increased rapidly as people who once lived in rural areas, have now moved to the cities.
“The rate of urbanization in Cambodia is extremely rapid, 8.4% annually according to the ABD, arguably the highest in the world. This high rate of growth is primarily the result of pent-up large-scale migration from rural areas after the Paris Peace Agreement of 1991, following three decades of civil unrest and war.” – LY Sievleang
The quick urbanization and industrialization is opening up opportunities for citizens living in these urban areas (socially and economically). Unfortunately, there have been some problems that the government has faced with the rapid urbanization. Right now, there is not enough stable infrastructure to support all the people who are moving to cities. It is difficult for them to find adequate housing. Not only is housing all these citizens difficult, because of all the rural farmers moving into the city, it is difficult to provide food and clean water to all the people now living in the city.
“An urban strategy must address the country’s overall urban development, linking urban and rural communities and promoting competitiveness, inclusiveness and sustained growth… Much work is required to tackle the multifaceted issues of urbanization.” – Phnom Penh Post
The cities in Cambodia face more than a few difficulties. The infrastructure is not yet equipped to carry the numbers of people that it has been forced to sustain, the rainy seasons bring inevitable and extreme floods, clean water and food is difficult to provide, and the differences between the urbanizing Cambodia and the old historical sites that are often centered/near Cambodian cities (an example would be Angkor Wat).
Right now, the Cambodia government is first focusing on trying to provide all the urban citizens with access to clean water and food. Next, there are plans on trying to establish firm connections between the urban and rural areas as to help support the extremely dense urban areas.
“Industrial waste can be found in the settlements’ rivers and lakes, as well, due to their proximity to urban centers. Meanwhile, the extreme housing density forces children to play in wastewater locations and allows for the rampant spread of communicable diseases that such standing water promotes.” – WPI
Sources:
Click to access Cambodia-Urbanisation.pdf
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/analysis-and-op-ed/urbanisation-and-growth
Cambodia: 