Letter to the Editor
The Cambodia Daily
It does not shock me that old buildings are replaced by new ones. This is what we call "development. What shocks me is that some people want to do things without conscience and with a lack of understanding of local culture, tradition and heritage.
Regarding Wednesday's article "B' bang Villagers Block Attempt to Demolish 100-Year-Old Temple" (page 21), it will be regretful if this 100-year-old temple is lost. It will never return.
In some countries, buildings, or even trees, that are older than 50 years are subject to an assessment for their heritage status. This is even more urgent in fast growing cities like Phnom Penh.
In this city, two issues are popular for developers and rich elites.
First they usually look to replace old buildings with modern high-rise ones. Buildings that can be classified as heritage items must be properly registered and the heritage inventory must be publicly known.
The second issue Phnom Penh is experiencing is the loss of lakes. Lakes could be important assets if we preserve them and use them wisely. Before it is too late, we must be aware of our vanishing heritage.
Only the government can accomplish this task. Decentralizing and devolving power to local authorities is of course a way to achieve "good governance." But local authorities' capacities need to be strengthened to ensure more effective decisions, to avoid such cases as the temple's proposed demolition.
Bunnarith Meng,
PhD student,
University of Hawaii at Manoa,
USA
Regarding Wednesday's article "B' bang Villagers Block Attempt to Demolish 100-Year-Old Temple" (page 21), it will be regretful if this 100-year-old temple is lost. It will never return.
In some countries, buildings, or even trees, that are older than 50 years are subject to an assessment for their heritage status. This is even more urgent in fast growing cities like Phnom Penh.
In this city, two issues are popular for developers and rich elites.
First they usually look to replace old buildings with modern high-rise ones. Buildings that can be classified as heritage items must be properly registered and the heritage inventory must be publicly known.
The second issue Phnom Penh is experiencing is the loss of lakes. Lakes could be important assets if we preserve them and use them wisely. Before it is too late, we must be aware of our vanishing heritage.
Only the government can accomplish this task. Decentralizing and devolving power to local authorities is of course a way to achieve "good governance." But local authorities' capacities need to be strengthened to ensure more effective decisions, to avoid such cases as the temple's proposed demolition.
Bunnarith Meng,
PhD student,
University of Hawaii at Manoa,
USA
3 comments:
what is the name of the temple they wanted to demolish? I am from B'bang. I hope they dont destroy my temple.
Sad that they try to destroy the very things that will bring people to the country. Was it Hun Sen who offered a medal to anyone that would build a 50 story building in Phnom Penh? while he waits the classic colonial buildings, temples, wooden houses and everything else that makes the city unique are being destroyed.
There seems to be a made rush here to put up long long rows of narrow Chinese style buildings everywhere. You know the ones ugly three story things with a shop in the bottom all tightly stacked together. Horrible. No style or thought put into them at all.
Worse are the new Thai-syle sprawling mansions sprouting up all over town. With rents of 3000-5000 they just scream out "I am being rented by a corrupt official with no taste or style!"
The government officials will realize one day they have treasures all over the country- but by then it may be too late.
I really support the second comments. It is time for the government to think about its actions.
Most developed countries they are very much concerned about heritage issues as they want their countries to have indentity.
Heritage is the pride of each nation.
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