Battambang Heritage Preservation Initiative Online

Three decades of civil war left Cambodia in a state of development backlog. Political stability from 1998 on caused the countries economy to boom for ten years. In an attempt to catch up with the neighboring countries, Cambodia’s cities, Battambang included, recently undergo a rapid modernization. Due to a general lack of awareness about heritage values in the civil society, administration and decision makers combined with an unsuitable legal framework and poor construction control, everywhere heritage buildings are mistaken as overaged and replaced by high-rise architecture in contemporary taste. Demolition is not the only thread to urban heritage. Inadequate maintenance over years or inappropriate usage consequently lead to decay. The appearance of buildings is often severely damaged by slow alteration (i. g. five-foot way bricked up with masonry). Moreover, and especially in the central business districts, oversize advertisements and billboards harm the city view. Commonly seen are also reconstruction activities to increase floor space or densification of plots by add-ons. Additionally new constructions on vacant plots disrespect the urban context. Rising land prices and thus land speculation contribute to a worsening situation. All this new developments are also affecting Battambang, so that it is urgent time to protect the Cambodian Urban Heritage from being lost irretrievable.

HERITAGE ENDANGERED