Cambodia mulls over plan to expand capital city to cope with growing population
- From: "Chim" <ChimS1@xxxxxxx>
- Date: 19 Oct 2005 05:20:23 -0700
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia is planning to enlarge the capital
Phnom Penh to cope with congestion and a fast- growing population, the
city's mayor said Wednesday.
Kep Chuktema said there are about 1.5 million people now living in the
capital and that the number is projected to double by 2020.
"We need to enlarge the city to twice its current size, otherwise it
won't be able to accommodate the increasing number of people," he said
during a meeting with journalists to discuss the city's future.
He said the plan - which has been in the works for three years and must
be approved by the government - would expand Phnom Penh by 30
kilometers (18.6 miles) in all directions from Wat Phnom, a landmark
man-made hill at the center of the capital. He predicted that costs for
the expansion could run into billions of dollars.
About 10,000 new homes are needed for new residents every year, Kep
Chuktema said, citing a population survey.
He said the 1950s was the last time that Cambodia had a master plan for
Phnom Penh, which is being rebuilt after nearly three decades of war
and genocide.
When in power from 1975-79, the radical Khmer Rouge regime evacuated
city residents by force to work in the countryside as it tried to
implement its dream of building an agrarian socialist society.
The capital's streets are mostly two lanes and are often jammed by
drivers who ignore the law. Kep Chuktema said about 95,000 cars and
340,000 motorcycles currently cruise Phnom Penh's roads.
The streets typically flood during the monsoon season due to a clogged
sewage system.
10/19/05 05:28 EDT
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