Protecting Cultural Heritage in Cambodia: Developing Heritage Protection Criteria for Tangible Cultural Assets in Phnom Penh of the Post-Colonial Period

Abstract

Urbanization in Cambodia in 2023 is 24% and is expected to increase further. This urban growth has resulted in significant transformations as it is often rapid and uncontrolled, leading to changes in land use and landscape. This research examines the tension between urban growth and the protection of cultural heritage, specifically from the French colonial period (1863-1979) to more recent eras, which are often undervalued compared to older structures like Angkor Wat. Heritage conservation faces many challenges, with a notable issue is the absence of a legal framework due to the lack of a clear definition of heritage property and the absence of a publicly available list of protected sites.  This research employs a comparative analysis, examining Cambodia’s existing heritage protection criteria alongside those of selected countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This research aims to identify current challenges, regulations, planning strategies, and case studies, including the development of heritage criteria, and propose an implementation plan.