Impoverishment Risks Analysis of Population Displacement using Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

Development induced-displacement has been increased rapidly around the world. It is estimated that new displaced people increase to 15 million each year comparing to some 10 million each year in 1991-2000. To minimize risks, the conceptual framework of impoverishment risks and reconstruction (IRR) model was constructed by Cernea; however the model was only “probe in the dark” and need to be validated when assessing risks. This paper outlines an impacts assessment model to improve theory-lead field work on the impacts of involuntary resettlement by using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to predict the factors affecting to post-displacement from involuntary resettlement project in Phnom Penh.

A study of Transport System in Cambodia

by: Eng Rinbo and Norihiro Ikeda

Toyohashi, 11/Dec/2007

JAPAN

 

 

The transport infrastructure in the Kingdom of Cambodia is in a serious state of disrepair. In particular, the Phnom Penh metropolitan area, as the capital city of the kingdom, is experiencing serious transport problems caused by inadequate transport facilities and management system set against the rapid growth of population and socio-economic activities. This growth is causing a sprawling phenomenon especially in the newly developing zones surrounding the built-up area. This paper examines the core problem and its measure.

 

Recently, the population of Phnom Penh has reached over one million[i] (1.4 times increase in 1991-2000 period) under stable domestic conditions after the end of the civil war in 1992. The urbanized area of the capital city, which is approximately 27 km², has rapidly expanded to the surrounding suburban areas of about 412 km². Additionally, motor vehicles show a remarkable increase (2.6 times increase in 1991-2000 period) in terms of the number of registered vehicles with a total of approximately 295,000 motorized vehicles, of which about 247,000 are motorcycles and 48,000 are passenger cars. In addition, linked with international routes No. 1 and No. 5 of the Asian Highway Network, Phnom Penh has historically been the core city of land transportation in the area. At present, the poor and deteriorated road network is causing an increase of traffic concentration in the urbanized areas of the city. Moreover, the traffic flows concentrate into the built-up area and traffic congestion occurs on the arterial roads during morning and evening peak hours. The existing traffic management facilities such as traffic signals, signs and pavement markings are not sufficient.

 

These poor management conditions coupled with shortage of traffic safety facilities and traffic safety education contribute to an increase in traffic accidents. In addition, most of the public transport is served by motorcycle-taxi (motodop), due to the lack of a mass public transport system. Traffic congestion and poor pavement condition are also imposing environmental pollution with increased emission of noxious gases from the vehicles and dust from unpaved road surface. It can be stated that the transportation system of the Phnom Penh Metropolitan Area is lacking proper planning as well as facilities and it depends comprehensively on motorcycles as the most predominant mode for transportation.

 

With the rapid growth in population, urbanization and motorization in the city, the problem of traffic congestion has imposed itself to be a major issue for concerned authorities. These authorities decided that in order to solve the transport problems, a comprehensive master plan covering the areas of road network improvement, public transport and traffic management should be developed with a time horizon of 2015. The plan aims at providing transport facilities and measures to solve various problems of transport and to support increasing socioeconomic activities and sustainable urban development. The formulation follows the step-by-step process.

 

Firstly; present and future transport issues are identified and evaluated, which provide the fundamental engineering base of the Plan. Simultaneously, the present socioeconomic profile and future development are estimated based on existing and future land use and MPP development policy. Secondly; the transport planning policy is established to directly response the transport issues and future traffic demand as well as future land use and socioeconomic development. Based on this policy, transport system alternatives are generated and evaluated. The optimum alternative is selected and evaluated in view of network efficiency, benefit, effects as well as environmental assessment. Thirdly; the Transport Sector Plan is formulated, namely road, public transport and traffic management. 4th Step; the overall implementation plan of the Plan is proposed with due consideration of institutional organization, human resource capability and financial restriction. Finally, the overall implementation plan of the Plan is proposed with due consideration of institutional organization, human resource capability and financial restriction.

 

In conclusion, in order to improve transport system in Cambodia, there are four steps to implement: (1) identification of current situation, (2) evaluation of existing transport planning policy, (3) improvement of road, public transport and traffic management, and (4) building human and financial resource for implementation of master plan. 

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¹ JICA. (2001). The Study on Transport Master Plan of the Phnom Penh Metropolitan Area in Kingdom of Cambodia. Phnom Penh: JICA.

Discrete Choice Modeling: Review on Logit Model

Download Logit Model pdf

This paper examines the Logit model, which consists of three main components: (1) derivation of Multinomial Logit Model of Log-Sum Variable (MNL), (2) Radom Utility Maximization by using Derivation of Log-Sum Variable, and (3) Equation of MLE of MNL.

CAMBODIA: Income for the Poor through Community-Based Environmental Improvements in Phnom Penh

 

View Movie (10mn)

The fundamental development challenge for our society is to reduce poverty and improve the livelihoods of communities in Phnom Penh. The JFPR-CAM: 9023 Project is enhancing “Income for the Poor through Community-Based Environmental Improvements in Phnom Penh, Cambodia”, which aims to establish sustainable community-based mechanisms that improve the living and working conditions and environmental hygiene in low-income neighborhoods. Through this project we demonstrate the creation of a society that cares for sustainable safe environment and self-mobilized communities that people are taking initiatives independently to improve better lives through the harmonious coexistence of humankind and the environment.

We have developed the better project management cultures, especially of people-centered development planning, effective and efficient community outreaches, interactive participation of beneficiaries including many women in community networking, and active engagement of key stakeholders in the dynamic policy-dialogues on environmental issues in the City.

The Project teams mobilize and facilitate the communities working together and building community empowerment through their active participation and cost-sharing for basic infrastructure improvements at community level. Through community mobilization process, the target beneficiaries are changing better attitudes to environment and hygiene.

The project facilitates the simultaneous efforts and actions at society level, community level and individual family level so as to break poverty cycle through improvements of community-based environmental functions and linking with the community mobilization for basic developments and enhancing employment opportunities for income generation through self-help promotion concept. Through this approach, we will create hopes for hopeless people.

Cambodia: Emergency Flood Rehabilitation Project

Resettlement Final Report (download pdf 1.3mb)

Project Overview

The 2000 floods caused unprecedented damage due to the extent and duration of inundation that covered more than 50% of Cambodia. The Mekong River exceeded the established emergency level during 2–26 September 2000 and reached a peak of 0.6 m above emergency levels around 17 September 2000. This incident, combined with the residual impact from the 1996 floods, seriously damaged infrastructure and caused extensive human suffering (186 deaths) due to displacement, food shortage, interruption to economic livelihoods, and disease outbreaks. The Royal Government of Cambodia (the Government) requested Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other donors1 to provide emergency assistance in order to rehabilitate key flood-damaged infrastructure to pre-flood conditions in the affected provinces. The Project rehabilitated facilities in five sectors identified as those being (i) the highest priorities of the Government, (ii) ones in which ADB had experience and current involvement, (iii) where the damage threatened the outcomes of ongoing or completed ADB projects, (iv) where impact on economic and social welfare of the community would be greatest, and (v) where there was a clear division of responsibilities with other agencies.

The Project had six components:

1. Part A: National Transport Network. Consisted of urgently needed repair (function restoration – phase I) and rehabilitation (phase II) of the flood-damaged national road network, including bridges and culverts that had been damaged or washed away, and repair of railway embankments and railway bridges.
2. Part B: Flood Control and Irrigation. Included rehabilitation of a major flood control dike protecting residential and agricultural areas of Phnom Penh and small to medium-scale irrigation facilities, including embankments, water control structures, and delivery and drainage canals.
3. Part C: Rural Infrastructure. Included rehabilitation of flood-damaged rural infrastructure, including rural roads, bridges, and culverts within close proximity of ADB-financed projects and projects executed by World Food Programme (WFP).
4. Part D: Education. Comprised rehabilitation of education facilities (repairs to classroom floors, roofing and walls) and replacement of furniture and equipment.
5. Part E: Health. Included repair of health centers and referral hospital facilities, half of which had been constructed under an ongoing ADB funded project.
6. Part F: Support to Project Monitoring and Coordination Unit. Included operation of a project monitoring and coordination unit (PMCU) established within the Ministry of Planning (MOP), the Executing Agency, to provide consulting services, equipment, supplies, and incremental administrative and personnel costs.

CAMBODIA: Local Urban Environmental Empowerment Pilot Project

Project Overview

The neglected physical infrastructure and the poor urban conditions are having an impact on urban environment, living conditions and livelihoods of residents; therefore, Local Urban Community Environmental Empowerment Pilot Project (LUCEEPP), proposed and cooperated between Municipality of Phnom Penh and UNESCO, has aimed to assist improving a rapid deterioration of the environment in Phnom Penh. LUCEEPP has been implemented in two phases at the communities in both Khan Daun Penh and Khan Chamkarmon and intend to provide the sustainable environment management to the plotting area in Khan 7 Makara.

The first phase (LUCEEP-1), had been implemented intending to provide information and encouragement residents in Khan Daun Penh to meet and discuss issues and problems in environmental area. This first step permitted to find some alternative answers to environment management and to identify the scale of these issues that required to propose the implementation an urban project which intended to continue to provide sustainable environmental management in Urban area in co-operation with public, academic and civil society stakeholders and to aware on urban patrimony preservation.

A second phase (LUCEEPP-2), aimed to strengthen the capacities and sustainability of environmental and urban patrimony management with innovative urban governance in Khan Daun Penh and Khan Chamkarmorn. LUCEEPP-2 focused on improving environmental and patrimony management, providing institutional and processing support, and awareness different urban stakeholders. LUCEEPP-2 was promoted education on environmental issues and urban patrimony conservation, organize links and exchanges between different knowledge (academic, technical, practitioner and political) and as well as develop consultation process in order to federate the various stakeholders. Acting in a pilot area, LUCEEPP-2 was integrated architectural and urbanites aspects of the built environment as an historical urban tissue needed to be preserved.

In the third phase (LUCEEPP-3), the general objective were to provide sustainable environment and patrimonial management in urban area, Khan Prampi Makara, in co-operation with public authorities, academic entities and civil society. LUCEEPP-3 aimed at improving a range of areas, such as small-scale access, solid waste management, sanitation, vulnerable group activities, and beautification and maintaining of the built and natural environment.

General Objective:

Provide sustainable environment and patrimonial management in urban area in co-operation with public authorities, academic entities and civil society in Phnom Penh City.

Specific Objective:

1. Provide the necessary approvals and information to stakeholders in order to begin the successful implementation of micro-projects within the identified pilot area (Khan Prampi Makara). These micro projects shall aim at improving a range of areas, such as small-scale access, solid waste management, sanitation, vulnerable group activities, and beautification and maintenance of the built and natural environment.
2. Nominate a focal point for LUCEEPP liaison within the Municipality, who shall coordinate project activities between the Project Facilitator and other stakeholders including relevant authorities and representative of NGOs, and community groups, as well as Bureau des Affaires Urbanism situated within MPP. Other tasks of this nominated focal point shall be to promote awareness and facilitate the implementation of the project.
3. During the project period, organize, in cooperation with the Project Facilitator and UNESCO, meeting and seminars between representatives from communities, NGOs, student from the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Royal University of Fine Arts, and directors of relevant departments of the Municipality. Also assist in organizing other supporting events.
4. Start to implement small-scale access improvement in the pilot project areas (Khan Prampi Makara) and assist, where appropriate, micro project implementation carried out by communities.
5. Provide assistance to the Project Facilitator and student of the Faculty of Architecture, RUFA, and participate in processes and planning specifically in relation to the identification of culturally significant places within Phnom Penh and assist them in preparation of preliminary list of these places by providing key information during the initial research phase, such as providing the Project Facilitator with access to the Phnom Penh Heritage Inventory held at the Bureau des Affaires Urbanism, and any other relevant resource materials held by the MPP.
6. Make an official announcement, in consultation with the Project Facilitator, about the importance of the UNESCO/MPP project for the improvement of the urban environment through the implementation of micro-projects, and the importance of researching, promoting and eventually conserving Phnom Penh’s Urban Heritage.

CAMBODIA: Environmental Training Program

Summary of Project Acomplishment (download pdf 364kb)

 

Project Overview

The sanitary training program in Seam Reap Province selected two targets district: Bantey Srei and Seam Reap. The program was supported by Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC) and implemented by Socio Economic Development Organization (SEDO) under the agreement signed on 30 May 2005, and scheduled to complete by 20 July 2005.

Goal

The ultimate goals of this project were to:

1. raise knowledge of sanitary of villagers
2. improve living standard of villagers
3. promote the foundations of the sustainable peace

Objectives
The objectives of this training aimed at improving attitude and practice toward better health and welfare in the communities of 27 target villages in Banteay Srei District of Seam Reap Province through promoting community participation in:

• Understanding the importance of hygiene and sanitation;
• Understanding about diseases transmitted routes and prevention from them;
• Disseminating of the information from this training program to their family members; and
• Managing sanitation with transparency, efficiency and sustainability

 

CAMBODIA: Urban Violence in Public Spaces: Towards More Effective Urban Upgrading in Phnom Penh

Workshop Proceedings: Urban Violence in Public Space (download pdf 713kb)

Summary of research findings: Urban Violence (download pdf 105kb)

Project Overview

This study on urban violence in public spaces is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It is the first of its kind study in the world, in the Asia region and in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is the 1st of 2 Asian cities (the other is Dhaka) studied. The aim of the Study is to strengthen the approaches to and operations of ADB in urban upgrading, poverty reduction, and pro-poor governance by (i) increasing awareness and knowledge on the nexus between urban violence, poverty, and ineffective urban governance, and (ii) developing a body of knowledge that includes measures to combat urban violence. This investigation is very timely and of importance to the quality of life, economic and social development of our city.
The study team comprising Cambodian and international researchers (including urban planner, urban governance specialist and regional researcher/statistician) has worked with the support of the Municipality of Phnom Penh (MPP) to understand the urban crime and violence in the city’s public spaces and the strategies towards a safer city. Led by Dr Belinda Yuen (urban planner), the study team has in recent months (Oct-Nov 2004) conducted the following:

• sample community surveys and discussions with 4 study groups: elderly, office workers, women and youth, in our city;
• interviews and group discussions including participatory action research (PAR) with local and city administration, NGOs and other key players in urban crime prevention; and
• On-site observations of 2 public spaces (Hun Sen Park and Royal Palace Park) in the city.

Objective

The objective of this workshop was to disseminate the finding from the study of urban violent in the public space, which was conducted a research from October to November 2004 toward more effective urban upgrading, poverty reduction, and pro-poor government through (i) increasing awareness and knowledge on the nexus between urban violence, poverty, and ineffective urban governance, and (ii) developing a body of knowledge that includes measures to combat urban violence.

Target Area

Well-used public spaces—the 2 observed parks: Hun Sen Park and Royal Palace Park, are well-used by the community. Over a thousand people were observed to visit each park on each of the 2 observation days, with the most popular time being early evening, 5-7pm (on Sunday) and early morning, 6-7am (on Monday) and the most common activity, walking. Many would visit the parks in groups of 2-3 persons and with friends. The majority of the park visitors, especially to Hun Sen Park, were young people, mostly less than 21 years old.

The observation patterns indicate the importance of public parks in the social and community life sphere of the population, especially among the young. The findings from on-site observations and community surveys lend support to the provision and proper maintenance of greenery and open spaces in the city. In addition to city beautification, the improvement of park facilities and cleanliness of the park environment would contribute to a greater sense of safety, social and economic performance of the city as the parks become desired places of not only local but also tourist visits in Phnom Penh. Great cities around the world are distinguished by their public parks and gardens. They are the ‘lungs’ of urban development, providing contrast, visual relief, relaxation and recreation opportunities to the urban population. The benefits of urban greening and parks have been widely documented.

CAMBODIA: Upscale and Strengthening Policy Framework on Solid Waste Management in Phnom Penh

Project Background (download pdf 1.42mb)

Project Acomplishment (download pdf 1.2mb)

Project Overview:

• Upgrading the access road to Stung Mean Chey dumpsite to improve better waste-transport service
• Construction of Waste Pickers Multipurpose Development Center to accommodate training and social activities of waste pickers at the dump site
• Construction of a Market Place to accommodate waste trading business at the dump site, and provision of one Crane Truck to deploy in waste disposal
• Conducting vocational training (tailoring training) and education programs for waste picker children

Objective

The goal of the Solid Waste Management Project in Phnom Penh City is to facilitate behavioral change for long term improvements in environmental sanitation and hygiene.

The project main objectives are:

• to enable residents to participate actively in ensuring a sound system of solid waste collection in their communities;
• to enable continuous improvements of public health, sanitation and the urban environment through daily primary collection by self-help groups (community-based waste collector)
• to promote awareness on SWM environmental sanitation through community education, public awareness campaign, and IEC (information, education, and communication) material dissemination

Scope of Work

• Strengthening the PPWM’s capacity for reviewing the current Policy on the Solid Waste Management in Phnom Penh and planning process.
• Strengthening Pilot Project of Community-based solid waste management through expanding into two other sangkats (communes) and study for replication in other potential areas.
• Public Awareness Promotion and Public education campaign on community-participatory solid waste management and Environmental Sanitation improvements in the City.
• Consultancy Study on the current status of the solid waste management and future trends and alternatives for long-term improvement of solid waste management emphasizing on the community-based approach.
• Consultancy Study on the establishment of data-base system and monitoring mechanism and procedures at PPWM for solid waste collection and disposal control in the City.
• Peer Review through a National Workshop and disseminating the information and study reports.