By:
• Sao Phal Niseiy

• November 1, 2024 , 11:55 AM

Urban pocket parks have been known to play an important role in city life and introducing more of them to cities like Phnom Penh will be crucial for beautifying them and creating more livable conditions for residents. 

Hun Pisith, a lecturer at Paragon International University specializes in urban planning, landscape architecture and architectural design, says Phnom Penh needs more of these kinds of mini-park and the ability to achieve them will depend on various factors, including comprehensive planning, collaborative efforts, and sustained investment. 

Cambodianess’s Sao Phal Niseiy interviews Pisith to discuss the pocket park concept and the possibility of introducing it to Cambodia’s urban planning.

Sao Phal Niseiy: You recently penned an article titled “Amending Phnom Penh’s Green Spaces: Should We Go Small with Pocket Parks? “What is a pocket park and why it is essential? 

Hun Pisith: The idea emerged in European cities which were restored after being damaged in World War II. It gained popularity in the United States in the 1950s and spreading worldwide. 

The term has evolved and generally refers to small urban green spaces known as green pockets, community parks, or mini-parks. There is no strict size standard and the definition can depend on urban context. 

Even with their small size, pocket parks typically include amenities such as social gathering space, diverse planting, shading, street furniture and lighting.

The benefits of pocket parks expanded over time. After World War II, some damaged buildings in European cities were rebuilt but others were demolished and the land transformed into small parks. These acted as a green therapy to provide healing, recovery and respite from the destruction and trauma of war.

In the US, pocket parks served as a green injection into bustling urban areas. Dysfunctional industrial areas and abandoned or underused land have been transformed into green spaces. 

Urban planners and community activists have called for more of these spaces as they serve diverse community needs beyond greenery, such as educational opportunities, increased property values, and improved mental and physical health. 

Recognized by urban environmentalists as a tool to mitigate urban heat islands, contribute to water-sensitive urban design and enhance biodiversity, pocket parks are increasingly integrated into dense urban areas for improved sustainability.

Sao Phal Niseiy: Why is building pocket parts feasible and vital in Phnom Penh? 

Hun Pisith: Pocket parks are vital for Phnom Penh’s rapid urbanization. Since the French colonial era, we have often associated urban parks with large and central spaces. 

As mentioned in my op-ed article, Phnom Penh residents rely heavily on the existing green spaces from the French and 1960s eras. While government revitalization plans and private sector initiatives have helped to alleviate the green space deficit, they have not fully addressed the issue. 

With a population approaching four million, Phnom Penh’s green spaces must be expanded, made more inclusive and distributed equitably.

Given the city’s dense urban fabric, acquiring large plots of land in the city center is a significant challenge. To address this, small urban green infill and renewal projects offer more flexibility in size and location compared to classic large parks. 

Pocket parks can be built on vacant lots, industrial areas, residential neighborhoods, commercial and industrial districts, transportation hubs, surrounding street junctions, sidewalks or even connected to historic sites.

Sao Phal Niseiy: Considering the importance of pocket parks, advocating such a concept still has risks and shortfalls. You have pointed out the significant cost and time-consuming issues associated with pocket park development. What can be done to minimize these shortcomings?

Hun Pisith: Landscaping projects, especially during the pre-design phase, can be time-consuming due to their context-based nature and the need for public participation. 

To address this, a proper public participation approach should be selected, such as public empowerment, collaboration, or involvement. Clearing vacant land and obtaining permits for park construction can also take time but these challenges can be mitigated with support from the municipality and public sectors.

Regarding cost-associated challenges, long-term financial sustainability can be achieved through dedicated funding mechanisms for development and maintenance, supplemented by volunteer involvement, cost-effective design, public-private partnerships or fundraising. 

Sao Phal Niseiy: Can you elaborate on our challenges in building such parks, assuming that we have carefully taken action to minimize the risks? 

Hun Pisith: One of the primary challenges in developing pocket parks is the limited availability of suitable open space. 

Municipal vacant land may already be allocated for other uses. While the land requirements for pocket parks are generally smaller than those for large parks, finding suitable locations in dense urban areas can still be challenging. 

This is especially true when the land is in conflict with the informal economy, leading to resistance from some local community members. 

In some cities, landowners donate vacant land to the community to be transformed into pocket parks but this is still rare. Additionally, completed pocket parks may be subjected to vandalism or misuse, requiring regular maintenance and security monitoring.

Sao Phal Niseit: You single out one pressing challenge: identifying suitable locations for pocket parks in Phnom Penh, where spaces are generally occupied by the informal economy. This will be a complex issue, but as an expert, what can be an immediate step for the authorities to address this issue effectively?  

Hun Pisith: Informal economy upgrading requires cross-sectional solutions. I believe the first and immediate step is through formalization and integration. 

Cities should view the informal economy as a catalyst for urban vibrancy. Integrating informal businesses, such as retail, near or within pocket parks can create more lively and engaging public spaces. 

However, it is essential to maintain a balance between formality and informality to ensure that both types of activities contribute positively to the community. By implementing restricted regulations, informal economy activities can be manageable. 

This can also facilitate the formalization and standardization of retailing activities, including hygiene control and social and environmental impacts. 

Sao Phal Niseiy: In the last part, you mentioned that successfully implementing these projects will necessitate comprehensive planning, collaborative efforts, and sustained investment in design, maintenance, and community engagement. Who are the primary responsible stakeholders? What roles do communities play, and how can we make such a complex yet promising plan feasible?

Hun Pisith: The primary stakeholders in pocket park development are the local government, community representatives and local residents. Indirect stakeholders include businesses, NGOs, design professionals and construction companies. 

I want to emphasize the importance of local residents as the most direct and crucial stakeholders. They are the users and beneficiaries of the park's amenities and services. Residents need to feel a sense of belonging and accountability to the park's daily activities. 

Their feedback, continuous use, and contributions by participating in park maintenance and volunteering are essential for the park's sustainability. To ensure the feasibility of such a promising plan, a bottom-up approach is crucial, involving active participation from residents throughout the planning, development, construction, and usage phases.