Phnom Penh Research Articles

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Land Surface Temperature in Response to Land Use and Land Cover Changes: A Remote Sensing Approach

Rapid urbanisation in the global south has often introduced substantial and rapid uncontrolled Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes, considerably affecting the Land Surface Temperature (LST) patterns. Understanding the relationship between LULC changes and LST is essential to mitigate such effects, considering the urban heat island (UHI). This study aims to elucidate the spatiotemporal variations and alterations of LST in urban areas compared to LULC changes. The study focused on a peripheral urban area of Phnom Penh (Cambodia) undergoing rapid urban development. Using Landsat images from 2000 to 2021, the analysis employed an exploratory time-series analysis of LST. The study revealed a noticeable variability in LST (20 to 69 °C), which was predominantly influenced by seasonal variability and LULC changes. The study also provided insights into how LST varies within different LULC at the exact spatial locations. These changes in LST did not manifest uniformly but displayed site-specific responses to LULC changes. This study accounts for changing land surfaces’ complex physical energy interaction over time. The methodology offers a replicable model for other similarly structured, rapidly urbanised regions utilising novel semi-automatic processing of LST from Landsat images, potentially inspiring future research in various urban planning and monitoring contexts.

Learning from the Policy and Practice of Green City Development in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The complex challenge of managing urban growth and development in the context of climate and environmental change has led to a proliferation of policy discourses related to the ‘green city’. While useful as a buzzword, it is argued that green city discourses often overlook or even mask questions of social and environmental justice. This case study of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, shows that the presence of green and sustainable city discourses in policymaking does not reflect the reality of urban planning practices. Instead, it has produced an urban vision reflective of the priorities of global capital while contributing to the ongoing destruction of urban biodiversity and the marginalization of urban residents living in poverty. It is argued that a reconceptualization of the green city be undertaken, which incorporates understanding of participatory and distributive justice to ensure that urban planning practices are inclusive and sustainable.

Influences of Subsoil Modelling on Underground Deep Excavation Behaviour in Phnom Penh City, Cambodia

Influences of Subsoil Modelling on Underground Deep Excavation Behaviour in Phnom Penh City, Cambodia

Identifying Priorities for the Development of Waste Management Systems in ASEAN Cities

One of the largest issues facing countries, particularly emerging nations with high population, production, and consumption growth, is an inadequate waste management system (WMS). This paper analyzes the development of the waste management systems of nine capital cities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region by using a recently developed approach, the Waste Management System–Development Stage Concept. This concept comprises five development stages and various components, including Collection and Transport, Waste Disposal, Energy Recovery, Waste Recycling, and Waste Prevention and Reuse. The findings indicate that in terms of waste collection, waste disposal, and energy recovery, Singapore is at a higher development stage (Stage 5) and is more advanced than other ASEAN cities. For most of the components, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila fall into stages 2 to 4, whereas the early development stages 1 to 3 are present in Bandar Seri Begawan, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane. The results will be used to determine the next steps in developing the WMSs, including the introduction of separate collection for recycling or the installation of a waste-to-energy plant. The environmental impact of each measure will be later assessed using the LCA approach, and the most effective measures shall be identified in future studies.

Peran Manajemen Keuangan Syariah dalam Pemenuhan Sarana Prasarana Pendidikan di Yayasan An-Nikmah Al-Islamiyah Phnom Penh Kamboja

This research aims to analyze and understand the role of sharia financial management in providing educational infrastructure at the An-Nikmah Al-Islamiyah Foundation, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This research uses a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques were carried out using interviews, observation and documentation. Data analysis techniques use data presentation, data reduction and conclusion/verification. Checking the validity of the data is carried out through; transferability, trust, dependability, and confirmability. The research results show that; Sharia financial management in the provision of educational infrastructure at the An-Nikmah Al-Islamiyah Phnom Penh Cambodia Foundation is carried out through planning and absorption of school budgets, school financial accounting, and school financial accountability. The implementation of Sharia Financial Management at the An-Nikmah Al-Islamiyah Foundation, Phnom Penh, Cambodia has been running optimally, however the implementation of sharia-based finance is not yet optimal, this is due to the low level of sharia financial support in that country.

Access to and utilization of COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) among people living with HIV (PLWH): A mixed methods study from Cambodia.

Several COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests have been approved in Cambodia, but no evidence exists about the access to and utilization of these tests. This limits public health interventions to increase testing, especially among vulnerable populations such as people living with HIV (PLWH). We conducted a mixed method study among PLWH in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, between July and August 2022 to understand their current Ag-RDT access and utilization levels, as well as key barriers and drivers. We undertook a cross-sectional survey and focus group discussions among 280 and 10 PLWH, respectively, from five HIV treatment centres using a probability-proportional-to-size and simple random sampling approach. Access was defined as having received a COVID-19 Ag-RDT within the six months and utilization as having administered a COVID-19 Ag-RDT, either to oneself or to others, within the 12 months prior to the study. We calculated means, standard deviations and proportions for continuous and categorical variables, using a linear regression model with random effects to account for clustering. Additionally, we fitted a logistic model with random effects to assess factors associated with Ag-RDT access. For the qualitative data, we used thematic analyses to identify barriers/enablers of Ag-RDT access and utilization. About 35% (n = 101) of PLWH reported having had access to an Ag-RDT test in the past six months. About 11% (n = 32) of the study participants administered the Ag-RDT to themselves, 4% (n = 10) to others and 9% (n = 24) have done both, in the past 12 months. Age and education appeared to be associated with Ag-RDT access in the logistic models. Price and advice from pharmacists were commonly reported to be the main selection criteria for the brand of Ag-RDT chosen. Ag-RDTs are an important diagnostic tool for COVID-19 among PLWH in Cambodia, but familiarity of use and price could hinder better uptake, access and utilization.

Examine the Impact of Contextual, Personal, and Behavioral Factors on High School Teachers’ Engagement in Teaching Science Using an Integrated STEM Approach

AbstractTeachers’ self-efficacy, attitude, and engagement are influenced by various factors, encompassing personal, school contextual, and behavioral aspects. Nevertheless, prior studies have not thoroughly explored the intricate relationship between teachers’ self-efficacy, attitudes, and engagement, particularly in the context of teaching science through an integrated STEM approach (ISTEMA). Drawing upon the Social Cognitive Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study proposes a structural equation model that incorporates school contextual factors: school administrative support and peer or collegial support, along with the personal factor—teachers’ STEM discipline knowledge to predict teachers’ self-efficacy in teaching science through ISTEMA. It also considers school administrative support and teachers’ self-efficacy to teach science through an ISTEMA as predictors for teachers’ attitudes and engagement in the implementation of ISTEMA. Additionally, school administrative support, teachers’ self-efficacy to teach science through ISTEMA, and teachers’ attitude to teach science through ISTEMA are regarded as behavioral factors that predict engagement in the implementation of ISTEMA. The survey was administered to 452 high school teachers hailing from four distinct regions and Phnom Penh City, Cambodia. The results of the full structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that changes in teachers’ STEM discipline knowledge and peer or collegial support may correspondingly lead to changes in teachers’ self-efficacy to teach science through an ISTEMA (SE), with an indirect effect of school administrative support (AD) on SE via teachers’ STEM discipline knowledge. The enhancement of SE and teachers’ attitude to teach science through an ISTEMA (ATT) significantly influences teachers’ engagement to teach science through an ISTEMA (EGG), whereas AD has a direct impact on engagement and an indirect one via teachers’ self-efficacy and attitude. Furthermore, SE directly and indirectly affects engagement through teachers’ attitude. These findings hold profound significance in shaping policies related to teacher training in integrated STEM education and theoretical foundation for future studies.

Living art or souvenir? Perspectives on the interpretation of traditional pottery in Cambodia

AbstractCambodia is a country facing an unprecedented wave of development but also the delicate task of conservation of traditional heritage. Pottery is one of the crafts that the Khmer civilization had been able to produce in various forms, of which mainly two are found in the country today. One style, produced in the province of Kampong Chhnang, is utilitarian and has a fairly solid internal market due to the still predominant agricultural society of Cambodia. It is unglazed, and aesthetically unadorned, but nonetheless “traditional” in its simple features. Another ware, produced mainly in pottery studios related to the Royal University of Fine Arts in the capital Phnom Penh, is, quite bombastically, but not without a certain consciousness, retrieving and repeating in a modern key, the ancient royal pottery once produced at Angkor. The latter ware style is, ironically, mainly produced for the tourist business in present‐day Cambodia, and therefore, arguably superfluous for the country's living cultural heritage. This article investigates the two modes of production and attempts to elucidate why different practical and aesthetical approaches are selected for different purposes and markets by practitioners and retailers, according to certain cultural interpretations of what is supposed to be “traditional.”

A novel hybrid sustainable healthcare supply chain model for patient safety: A case study of Cambodia

This research focuses on elucidating the attributes of a Sustainable Healthcare Supply Chain (SHSC) that play a pivotal role in enhancing patient safety, particularly in developing nations. Patient safety in healthcare supply chains is paramount, particularly in the face of inherent risks and vulnerabilities associated with disruptions and uncertainties. A hybrid selection model, integrating factor analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM), and the Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), is introduced to rank these attributes. Twenty-two SHSC attributes are categorized into four facets: social, environmental, economic, and technological. A survey conducted across five Cambodian provinces gathered 361 valid responses from healthcare professionals, forming the basis for a structural SHSC model. This model is subsequently implemented in a Phnom Penh tertiary hospital. The findings underscore the imperative of incorporating patient safety considerations into healthcare supply chains. The hybrid selection model helps healthcare leaders figure out what factors are most important for patient safety and rank them. This gives them information they need to come up with effective strategies and long-lasting projects. The study's outcomes provide actionable insights for healthcare stakeholders. The multi-analytical approach of the model offers a comprehensive perspective to address supply chain challenges, reduce extraneous costs, and minimize environmental footprints. In essence, the effective implementation of sustainable healthcare supply chain strategies not only enhances care quality and fortifies patient safety but also aligns with the broader objectives of healthcare entities.

A study on the physicochemical characteristics of popular cooking oils in Cambodia

Cooking oils tend to deteriorate in quality through oxidation reactions and microbial degradation, causing nutritional loss, consumer unacceptability, health risks such as cancer and inflammation. This study aims to assess the quality of five popular cooking oils sold in Cambodia, including two sunflower oils, two soybean oils, and a refined palm olein cooking oil. All the samples were collected from supermarkets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The peroxide value (PV), acid value (AV), and anisidine value (AnV) of the cooking oils ranged from 1.93 to 5.68 meq O2/kg oil, 0.11 to 0.26 mg KOH/g, and 28.71 to 62.49, respectively. The iodine value (IV) of soybean oil, sunflower oil, and refined palm olein oil is 121.53 to 125.91 g I2/100g, 127.39 to 128.89 g I2/100g, and 68.61 g I2/100g, respectively. The colour of the oils was presented as L, a, and b*, which ranged from 32.64 to 34.42, -1.48 to -0.34, and 1.50 to 5.25, respectively. The PV and AV of the cooking oils are within the acceptable range of the FAO’s Codex Alimentarius Standards which is 10 meq O2/kg and 0.6 mg KOH/g, respectively. According to the research findings, the popular cooking oils sold in Cambodia are in good quality for consumption.

Navigating senior leadership in higher education: a case study of women in Cambodia

ABSTRACT Women are significantly underrepresented in leadership roles across sectors in Cambodia, and governmental policy is seeking to change this to promote gender equality in all high-level leadership. This qualitative research identified what factors supports Cambodian women to be successful in higher education senior leadership and the barriers they encounter in attaining and maintaining senior leadership roles. Eleven women in senior leadership roles from six prestigious higher education institutions in Phnom Penh were interviewed. Key findings revealed that self-efficacy, opportunities to learn, and support from the family, the workplace, and society were supportive factors for these Cambodian women to become senior leaders. Barriers faced by the women in this research included an overarching societal mind-set about women in society, constraints in the workplace, the pressures of family responsibilities, and their personally held expectations and values. Analysis using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework reveals that opportunities and challenges are embedded across levels – from the individual level to family, institutional, and societal levels. Change therefore requires intentional interventions targeting all levels, including individual beliefs, institutional norms, organizational culture, government policy, and ultimately, societal values. While this is a complex endeavor, this research provides insight into what is possible for women when they experience support across these levels.

New-Build Speculation and the Financialization of Urban Development in the Global South: A Perspective from Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This article analyzes how urban development and property management strategies shape and accelerate new-build speculation (i.e., speculation mechanisms attached to the development of newly built real estate projects) in Phnom Penh (the capital of Cambodia), a city experiencing a growing financialization of its real estate markets. By discussing dominant conceptions of property speculation within critical research in geography and urban studies, the article shows that speculation has primarily been seen as a fictitious and unproductive form of capital accumulation rather than as an effective mechanism of urban production. Analyzing the development of mixed-use, large-scale, and condominium projects, the article argues that not only does property speculation participate in shaping real estate development but also that the production and management of real estate projects “engineer” property speculation and the spatialization logics of real estate financialization. Four main mechanisms of new-build speculation are identified: the design of speculative urbanity, the refining of the liquidity of real estate assets, the spatialization of speculation, and the production of territorial investment platforms. Ultimately, the article discusses how the intensification of the construction of large-scale, mixed-use, and condominium projects in Global South cities is supporting a speculative turn of urban development in so-called frontier markets.

Evaluation of Physicochemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Different Soy sauces Sold in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Evaluation of Physicochemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Different Soy sauces Sold in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

E. coli Levels Associated with Source Waters and Household Handling Practices of Potable Water in Peri-urban Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodia has made progress towards addressing Sustainable Development Goal 6.1. “By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all”, but challenges remain in fully realizing this target. We begin this paper by reviewing current country-wide access to safe and affordable water and subsequently report on the results of water sampling done for E. coli in a peri-urban area north of Phnom Penh that was conducted between 2018 and 2020. The sampling examined E. coli levels in source waters, including rivers, ponds, a large lake/wetland, wells, rainwater harvesting systems, piped water, and bottled water. Sampling from household storage containers and in-home drinking cups also was done to assess the effects that handling practices might have on exposure to E. coli. We show that country-wide, as well as in the peri-urban study area, there has been increased access to piped water. Piped water and commercially-available bottled water (0.5–1.5 L PET bottles) had the lowest E. coli levels in our study area, although such bottled water is not an affordable alternative for many peri-urban families. Surface pond water and the Tonle Sap River contained the highest E. coli levels and would pose the greatest risk associated with direct consumption. Handling practices may impact drinking water quality, as a significant difference (p=0.2) was found in E. coli levels between samples taken from commercially-available 0.5–1.5 L PET bottles and from household cups into which the bottled water was poured. There also was a significant difference (p<0.05) in E. coli levels between piped water sampled directly from the tap and piped water stored in bulk household containers. The geometric mean concentration of E. coli in large, covered, traditional outdoor storage jars used for rainwater harvesting was nearly 10 times lower than the same type of jars that were not covered, although due to the small sample size and variability in the data, the difference was not significant (p=0.5). Despite the increasing availability of piped water service in the study area, we found a diversity of water source practices, including use of rainwater harvesting, surface water, 20 L bottled water, and wells. These source waters can be safe, but must be routinely monitored. The study illustrates the advantages of field-based testing for effective screening of E. coli in peri-urban areas.

Characterization of Physicochemical Properties of Cooking Oils Sold in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Characterization of Physicochemical Properties of Cooking Oils Sold in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) has worked with the Child Rights Foundation (CRF) to put Research Findings into Policy Implications and Actions

The question ‘Why are universities engaging in the conduct of research?’ has been widely asked by practitioners. This question is attached with doubts and the university’s key role in putting the research findings into policy, planning, and action processes. Most people have only learned that universities conduct academic research, use results for knowledge advancement, and create concepts and theories. Some people even seriously say that the publication of university research work is only displayed on library shelves. As Cambodia’s oldest public university and leading higher education institution, the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) promotes high-quality teaching and research practices to serve the community.

The Six Components of Urban Quality of Life: A Case Study in Khan Dangkao of Phnom Penh City

The research study aims to examine and analyze the quality of life and urban communities of Phnom Penh capital city introduced by Muhammed & Abubakar (2019) through the six basic components: health, security, personal development, community development, physical environment, and natural resources, goods, and services. The survey interviewed 250 households of urban residents in Borey and None-Borey for quantitative data and applied participatory approaches for qualitative data. The research finds that the majority of the respondents had good health conditions. However, they were not fully able to access healthcare services. In terms of security, residents in Borey were safer than None-Borey, and most respondents experienced some types of violence’s form but not serious violence. The survey also shows that the respondents in Borey and None-Borey residencies enjoyed spending much time per month visiting green spaces. Regarding community development, the research concludes that the residents in Borey were less engaged in community development than in None-Borey. Moreover, most of the respondents were satisfied with their personal development. Interestingly, residents in Borey were more satisfied with the physical environment. Most respondents were satisfied with their communities’ private and public infrastructure. The research finding suggests and provides appropriate solutions to the current basic components of quality of life.

Current Situation of Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Urban and Peri-urban of Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Currently, the amount of solid waste is increasing in the world, especially in developing countries. Although Solid Waste Management (SWM) involves and collaborates with many stakeholders, management is still flawed. SWM in the urban and suburbs of Phnom Penh has encountered a number of obstacles and challenges. Seeing these problems, the government has decided to reform the solid waste management in Phnom Penh in 2019. After the reform, the provision of waste collection, transportation, and cleaning services in urban and peri-urban has changed significantly, while the urban and peri-urban receive collection services 95% and 80%, respectively. To be more precise one study on the current situation of SWM in urban and peri-urban Phnom Penh was conducted to understand the current situation and to identify challenges of SWM for the urban and the peri-urban in Phnom Penh. Two kinds of data were collected 1) preliminary data was collected from interviewing people in target areas by using structured questionnaires, and 2) secondary data was obtained from existing various sources. 330 respondents were selected with qualitative and quantitative analysis by using SPPS 28.0.1.1 and Microsoft Excel 2019. People use plastic bags instead of bins, triggers, and bags to store the waste.79.5% of the people are willing to pay the collection fee. It was found that the situation of SWM is better, however, the collection time is still blurred. SWM in Phnom Penh has faced four main challenges: financial, road infrastructure, landfill, and people's participation. SWM in urban and peri-urban, still have some problems such as the packaging and storage of the waste. and the problem of scavengers tearing the waste bags makes the garbage clutter.

Assessing Water Quality Spatial Heterogeneity from Multiple Pollution Sources in the Boung Cheung Ek Wetland, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, as with many other world megacities, is exposed to multiple major ecological and environmental hazards. Without a proper wastewater treatment facility, it is difficult for local residents to obtain a health-compliant water supply. In this study, a hybrid aggregation method using principal component analysis (PCA) and weighted means was used to calculate a water quality index (WQI) to map the water quality of the entire Boeung Cheung Ek (BCE) wetland region. We used Universal Kriging to map eight water quality parameters: DO, pH, TDS, F, Cl, NO3−, PO43−, and NH4+. The restricted maximum likelihood method was used for model fitting. Data were collected from groundwater and surface water for different rainfall seasons between March 2017 and February 2018. The principal component analysis (PCA) used to compute a water quality index (WQI) is based on the resulting dimensions of the highest variation among all water quality parameters. The results show that the northern part of the study area has a worse water quality than the southern region, which is caused by the discharge of municipal wastewater directly into the BCE wetland area. The results for different rainfall seasons also show that groundwater has a relatively better quality than surface water. The results of this analysis can serve as a supplementary study to support sustainable development goals because they might confirm the need for a wastewater treatment facility being under construction at the time of writing this article with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Research on Design Management Process Based on BIM - Taking the New Phnom Penh Airport Project in Cambodia as an Example

With the rapid development of international engineering quantity and scale, traditional project management methods have shortcomings such as relative separation of project design, construction, and operation, and loose connection of project management links. However, BIM technology can effectively integrate various stages of project management. This article combines the new Phnom Penh Airport project in Cambodia and establishes a BIM design management process based on existing management experience. By analyzing the changes in organizational management, team management, technical processes, and management points brought about by BIM, and addressing the problems in project practice, it summarizes and innovates the project design management process under DB mode, achieving a reasonable connection between design and construction management links.