The UNESCO Phnom Penh Studio is a research-creation workshop held from May 13 to 24 in Cambodia. It initiated a reflection on improving the quality of life in the urban areas along the Mekong River in the Cambodian capital, which are currently experiencing rapid real estate development.
The project offered international training opportunities and intercultural collaboration to 39 students from Canada, Cambodia, and Thailand. It also fostered cooperation among researchers from six universities: the Royal University of Fine Arts (Cambodia), the University of Law and Economics (Cambodia), the Royal University of Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Norton University (Cambodia), and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (Thailand). Through the workshop, a series of 11 lectures highlighted the work of local researchers, professionals, and organizations. At the opening of the exhibition in Phnom Penh, the networking of stakeholders contributed to the creation of a network of actors involved in the development of the Mekong riverbanks.
A traditional Apsara dance performance during the opening showcased intangible heritage while promoting the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The event, which welcomed more than 80 guests, was broadcast on the platforms of the UNESCO Chair in Urban Landscape, thereby increasing its visibility.
Numbers
10 neighborhoods
The UNESCO Studio develops community-centered urban design projects for 10 neighborhoods located alongside the Mekong River in Phnom Penh.
65 collaborators
Sixty-five academics, professionals, representatives from international and local organizations, and local authorities collaborate to the UNESCO Studio through lectures and meetings with participants.
5 countries’ expertise
The UNESCO Studio brings together student-researchers, academics and professionals from five countries: Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, and Canada.
39 trained young professionals across fields
From May 13-24, 2024, the UNESCO Studio trains 39 young professionals in architecture, design, economics, law, urban planning. Coming from six different universities across three countries, these young professionals are thus completing their training with a unique international and interdisciplinary experience.
2 exhibitions on 2 continents
The UNESCO Studio leads to the creation of the exhibition Phnom Penh Against the Current, presented both in Phnom Penh and in Montreal. The exhibition showcases the results of a sensory ethnographic study and 10 design projects developed to enhance the quality of life along the Mekong River. Phnom Penh Against the Current welcomes over 60 guests on each of its opening nights, reflecting strong community interest and engagement with the studio’s work.
Impacts
Innovative design projects for neighborhoods
The UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh works on improving the quality of life in ten neighborhoods along the Mekong River. The teams explore these urban areas in depth and create context-sensitive design strategies while engaging local stakeholders throughout the process. During the research-creation workshop, participants produce detailed visualizations and design concepts that reflect both analytical understanding of urban contexts and creative thinking.
Interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration
The studio brings together academics, professionals, civil society organizations, and local authorities to exchange knowledge and perspectives. This collaboration builds a deeper understanding of urban challenges and strengthens inclusive, cross-sector planning processes.
International partnership
The studio fosters long-term international partnerships by addressing shared urban challenges. It connects countries and institutions during the workshop, but through ongoing relationships that continue to grow beyond the project.
Training
The UNESCO Studio trains 39 graduate students from six universities in Cambodia, Thailand and Canada: the Royal University of Fine Arts, the University of Law and Economics, the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Norton University, Kong Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, and the University of Montréal. Students take part in hands-on studio work and attend 11 conferences featuring local and international experts.
Outreach
The studio hosts two exhibitions to share its outcomes. On May 24, 2024, the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh presents the first exhibition, where participants display their design work and spark conversations about urban sustainability. The event includes a performance by members of អមោឃបាស – The Next Generation, who celebrate Khmer classical dance, intangible heritage, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. From October 10-17, 2024, the University of Montréal hosts the second exhibition, extending the project’s reach to a wider community. The UNESCO Chair in Urban Landscape broadens the visibility and public engagement of both events across social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Bluesky).
People
Cheam Phanin
Cheam Phanin holds a bachelor’s degree from the Royal University of Fine Art in Phnom Penh and a master’s degree in architecture and urban design from the Paris School of Urban planning. Mr. Phanin is a professional architect and urban planner with extensive experience in both professional practice and academia. He currently serves as the Vice-Chief of the Urban Planning Office at the Municipality of Phnom Penh. In addition to this role in local government, Mr. Phanin is a studio supervisor at Norton University. During the UNESCO Studio, Mr. Phanin shares valuable insights about municipal priorities and their alignment with the students’ project visions, permitting a deeper understanding of urban planning in the real-world context. Chhem Kieth Rethy
Professor Chhem Kieth Rethy is a distinguished professional with a career in academia, global health policy, and science diplomacy. Former Executive director of the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) and a respected educator, he explores the historical interplay of French colonial power, the Cambodian monarchy, and Chinese entrepreneurs during the 1920s through his lecture. Prof. Chhem revisits the influential role of Ly Ek Ke during this period, highlighting his contributions as a cultural mediator between the French colonial authorities and the Cambodian monarchy. This historical perspective offers valuable lessons for fostering resilient and culturally vibrant environments along major rivers such as the Mekong.
Chhem, K. R. (2024, May 21). Rivers of influences: Urbanization of Phnom Penh in the 1920s. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh.
Remy Chhem
Rémy Chhem is an environmental social scientist specializing in natural resource management, land and forest tenure, and participatory research. His PhD research in International Development at the University of Ottawa examines land struggles and livelihood transitions in the context of protected area expansion and REDD+ projects in Cambodia. As part of the project, Remy offers insights on the challenges conservationists and local communities face amid current socio-political tensions and agro-environmental changes.
Chhem, R. (2024, March 27). Travail de recherche au Cambodge. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Montreal.
Dylayvan Diep
Dylayvan Diep is a Cambodia-born Canadian citizen. She is closely connected to Khmer culture. She is an active member of Khemara, an organization that promotes Khmer history and culture. In preparation to the UNESCO Studio, Ms. Diep holds a meaningful meeting introducing UNESCO Studio participants to the Khmer language and culture.
Diep, D. (2024, February 28). Langue et culture khmère. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Montreal.
Shelby Elizabeth Doyle
Shelby Elizabeth Doyle, AIA, is a registered architect and associate professor of architecture at Iowa State University College of Design. From 2011-12 she is a Fulbright Fellow in Cambodia where she documents relationships between water, architecture, infrastructure, and politics through maps, video, photos, and writing. Design and research outcomes include publications, exhibitions, coursework, and public outreach to engage with Phnom Penh’s urban transformation. The resulting body of work is titled “City of Water: Architecture, Infrastructure, and the Floods of Phnom Penh” which Professor Doyle shared with the UNSECO Studio Phnom Penh in Spring 2024.
Doyle, S. E. (2024, May 6). City of water: Architecture, infrastructure, and the floods of Phnom Penh. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Online.
Gabriel Fauveaud
Gabriel Fauveaud is an assistant professor in the Department of Geography, director of the Center for Asian Studies, and a researcher at the Center for International Studies and Research at the University of Montréal. He is interested in urban spaces in Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia. In 2009, he works at the Phnom Penh Administration. He publishes his doctoral thesis in 2015 under the Publications de la Sorbonne, highlighting the impact of real estate practices on the contemporary transformations of Phnom Penh. In preparation for the UNESCO Studio, Prof. Fauveaud provides an overview of the city’s development history and shared his experiences conducting fieldwork in the Cambodian capital.
Fauveaud, G. (2024, March 20). Phnom Penh: Retour d’expériences. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Montreal.
Khun Sathal
Ms. Khun Sathal, Deputy Director of the National Museum of Cambodia, brings valuable expertise in exhibition curation. Drawing on her expertise, she offers critical insights into shaping a curatorial narrative, including the careful selection and organization of objects, the interpretation of artifacts, and the development of accompanying texts. Her guidance ensures that the exhibition presents artifacts effectively and tells a compelling, coherent story that resonates with diverse audiences and honors the cultural significance of the collections.
Khun, S. (2024, May 17). How to create a curatorial narrative for an exhibition. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh.
Khun Tola & Ronan Kemp
The STT Cambodia’s mission is to empower poor and vulnerable urban communities to obtain adequate housing and support them in facing challenges such as forced evictions, lack of legal documents, and essential services. STT works at the community level to increase awareness and empower target communities to advocate for their rights. STT collaborates with civil society organizations at the international level, engages in stakeholder dialogue, and reports on housing rights situations. Khun Tola is a former project manager at STT, and Ronan Kemp works as an advisor for the organization. By presenting challenges on housing rights in Phnom Penh, Khun and Kemp help anchor the workshop in real-world experiences.
Khun, T., & Kemp, R. (2024, May 22). Local led development: How a poor urban community in Phnom Penh advocate for land and housing rights. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh.
Kelvin E.Y. Low
Kelvin E.Y. Low is an associate professor and the head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the National University of Singapore. His research interests include sensory studies, social memory, heritage and historiography, migration and transnationalism, and food and foodways. He signs six books as author or editor, the most recent being “Sensory Anthropology: Culture and Experience in Asia” (Cambridge University Press, 2023). In his lecture, he gives in-depth information on sensory approaches in urban studies, providing an introduction to the methodologies used in the first phase of the UNESCO Studio.
Low, K. E. Y. (2024, May 7). Intersecting urban histories, heritage-making and sensory approaches. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Online.
Pheng Sitha
Pheng Sitha is a lecturer at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. His work focuses on the concept of the mandala in Khmer urbanization. He explores how traditional mandalic principles, rooted in cosmology, influenced the development and structure of urban spaces in Cambodian cities. Pheng examines how these principles shape physical layout and cultural and social dynamics. Ancient beliefs in the cosmic continue to resonate in contemporary urban design, as do insights into cultural continuity and the adaptation of traditional concepts.
Pheng, S. (2024, May 23). Mandala is a fundamental concept in Khmer urbanization. Phnom Penh. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh.
Ros Somadaline
Ros Somadaline works as a guide in Cheung Kok Village in Kampong Cham province where she grew up. Today, the village is open to visitors and serves as a model of sustainable tourism. It offers an authentic experience of rural life while promoting environmental conservation and supporting the local community. Visitors can enjoy homestays, guided tours, and workshops on traditional crafts, immersing themselves in Khmer culture. This initiative preserves the natural environment, improves local livelihoods, and safeguards cultural heritage. Ros Somadaline guides visitors through the village and introduces them to the local culture.
Ros, S. (2024, May 19). Cheung Kok Ecotourism Village. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham.
Sim Socheata & Mech Sreylakh
Oxfam’s efforts in Cambodia and Mekong Regional Water Governance promotes inclusive and sustainable water resource management. Sim Socheata, Mekong Regional Program Manager, and Mech Sreylakh, Regional Technical Climate Resilience Coordinator, work together through advocacy and community empowerment to amplify the voices of marginalized groups in decision-making processes related to water governance. They collaborate with local partners to enhance access to clean water and sanitation, build resilience to climate change impacts, and ensure fair distribution of water resources. Their work contributes to building resilient communities and sustainable development in the Mekong region by supporting participatory approaches and influencing policies at various levels.
Sim, S., & Mech, S. (2024, May 20). Mekong water governance and its relationship to the fast-growing Cambodia. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh.
Van Molyvan’s Family
Born in 1926, Vann Molyvann studied architecture at Paris’s Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. On his return to a newly independent Cambodia in 1956 he was appointed by Prince Norodom Sihanouk as a state architect.
During his career Vann Molyvann designs infrastructure and monuments for Cambodia. Now known as “New Khmer architecture”, his style is a distinctive blend of traditional Khmer design with modernist principles, inspired by Le Corbusier. During 1956 to 1970, Vann Molyvann completed more than 100 projects across Cambodia. He is remembered and celebrated today as a symbol of Cambodian design. His family house is an iconic example of modern Cambodian architecture, blending traditional Khmer design elements with modernist principles. The home features a unique, elevated structure that responds to the tropical climate and local conditions. Its open, airy layout promotes natural ventilation and light using local materials and craftsmanship, reflecting a deep respect for Cambodian culture and heritage. Today, the Vann Molyvann family is exploring ways to preserve the house while opening it to the public.
Vann, G. (2024, May 14). Vann Molyvann House. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh.
Vuth Lyno
Lyno Vuth is an artist, curator, and educator focusing on space, cultural history, and knowledge production. His diverse artworks explore marginalized histories, community dynamics, and social relations through photography, video, sculpture, and interactive installations. Vuth is a member of the Stiev Selapak collective and a co-founder of the former Sa Sa Art Projects. He contributes to Cambodia’s contemporary art landscape by teaching and innovating art programs. He teaches bottom-up approaches using spatial and artistic practices within communities to contribute to city-making.
Vuth, L. (2024, May 21). Pedagogy, community, art: Bottom-up urbanism at Phnom Penh’s White Building and Chen Dam Daek. UNESCO Studio Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh.
“អមោឃបាស The Next Generation”
អមោឃបាស—meaning “unbreakable rope”— honors the ancient tradition of Khmer classical dance, while carrying it to the future by empowering the next generation of artists, teachers, producers and leaders. “អមោឃបាស The Next Generation” performs Mr. Chamreoun Soeurn’s original work, “The God of Rain” at the exhibition opening Phnom Penh against the current at the Royal University of Fine Arts on May 2024. Their performance blends the rich tradition of Khmer classical dancing with a powerful call for inclusivity, celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Organization
- Shin Koseki (University of Montréal)
- Delphine Duplain (University of Montréal)
- Kong Kosal (Royal University of Fine Arts)
Teaching
- Shin Koseki (University of Montréal)
- Delphine Duplain (University of Montréal)
- Kanjanee Buddhimedhee (King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi)
Logistics
- Peng Sothea (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Kasprzyk, Roxane (University of Montréal)
List of participants
- Abi Karam, Joëlle (University of Montréal)
- Asselin, Jade (University of Montréal)
- Aviry, Desiree Tarissa (King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi)
- Awad, Valérie (University of Montréal)
- Beaudoin, Olivier (University of Montréal)
- Bissonnette, Jean-Simon (University of Montréal)
- Bourdages, Rose-Marie (University of Montréal)
- Chao, Kamley (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Chartier, Alex (University of Montréal)
- Chea, Kimcheng (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Chealy, Khunleaksmy (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Chhay, Monyneath (Norton University)
- Cho, Wai Mar (King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi)
- Cloutier, Gabrielle (University of Montréal)
- Cloutier, Jean-Pierre (University of Montréal)
- Diouf, Ndèye Coumba (University of Montréal)
- Hok, Sovanrachana (Royal University of Law and Economics)
- Kasprzyk, Roxane (University of Montréal)
- Khim, Sengthai (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Khut, Sekhakhun (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Leang, Titnita (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Leap, Sokan (Norton University)
- Lim, Vansoliza (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Lim, Sokchoung (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Met, Joury (Royal University of Phnom Penh)
- Nhim, Chhun (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Path, Sokunthea (Royal University of Law and Economics)
- Pav, Lydoeun (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Pho, Dony (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Rous, Chakriya (Royal University of Phnom Penh)
- Run, Reaksa (Royal University of Law and Economics)
- Sarath, Chanpichsakal (Royal University of Law and Economics)
- Seap, Somethea (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Serei, Sovanden (Royal University of Law and Economics)
- Sok, Sovannrathanak (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Tardio, Mathilde (University of Montréal)
- Thea, Sievlong (Royal University of Fine Arts)
- Tremblay, Emrick (University of Montréal)
- Tremblay, Rosalie (University of Montréal)
- Von, Rothvisal (Royal University of Fine Arts)