PHNOM PENH: Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is the largest and fastest-growing city in the country. With over two million inhabitants, Phnom Penh has seen unprecedented rates of growth in the economy, population, and urbanization.

However, this growth has been partly unregulated, leading to several problems. One of the most pressing problems is the lack of zoning laws. Zoning laws regulate land use, form, and design to ensure that development is sustainable and supports the needs of the community.

Without this law, developers are free to build whatever they want, wherever they want and it could lead to several problems, including noise pollution, traffic congestion, and a loss of green space, etc. The lack of zoning laws is also a major obstacle to the development of Phnom Penh as a sustainable city.

In a recent interview, Mr. Lor Vichet, vice president of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association (CCCA), called on the government to take action to address the zoning implementation in Phnom Penh.

He said that the government should draft a zoning law that would designate different areas of the city for different uses, such as residential, commercial, and industrial. He also said that the law should include provisions for protecting historical and cultural sites.

The lack of zoning law is not only a problem for Phnom Penh, but also for other rapidly growing cities in Cambodia, such as Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and Kampot. The government should take action to address this problem as soon as possible, said Mr. Vichet.

The government has already issued the “2035 master plan” for the development of Phnom Penh. However, this master plan is not legally binding, and there is no enforcement mechanism in place.

A zoning law would provide the government with the legal tools it needs to implement the master plan and ensure that development in Phnom Penh is sustainable. Without zoning laws, it is difficult to plan for the future and ensure that the city's infrastructure can support its growing population.