Page 99 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism The evolution of Khmer shophouses

In parallel with the development of Koh Pich, Phnom (Carrier, 2019; Fauveaud, 2014). Large-scale, mixed-
Penh’s peripheral areas also witnessed the advent of use developments have been influenced by the Asian
neighborhood organizations, primarily composed of adaptation of global city models and, more recently, by
residential communities designated as “Borey” (Fauveaud, Singaporean mid-rise townships (Bertrais et al., 2023).
2015). Initially, these communities were characterized These projects have incorporated shophouse typologies
by row housing that mirrored the modernist shophouse from Phnom Penh’s peri-urban areas into the expanding
typology but at lower population densities. Over time, urban sprawl.
these neighborhoods evolved in various configurations, To illustrate, the Star Platinum Borey (Figure 10),
transitioning from open communities to gated developed by the Peng Huoth Group in Phnom Penh’s
communities of compact townhouses. These were bounded southern suburbs, aspires to establish a self-sufficient
by multifunctional, street-facing elements that offered a suburban community. It seeks to achieve this by
flexible interface between residential, commercial, and blending residential units with essential services such as
service uses. schools, healthcare facilities, sports centers, and retail

The most typical of these configurations (Figure 8) spaces while also incorporating dispersed gardens and
consists of 2- or 3-story row houses with commercial parks. Architecturally, the contemporary shophouse
fronts along main roads, while residential areas extend has fully embraced global post-modernist trends, with
along internal streets. In districts such as Russei Keo, claims of incorporating energy-efficient technologies
this model reflects a return to the shophouse’s original and sustainable building practices. These features
multifunctional nature, utilizing shared front street reflect growing societal concerns about environmental
setbacks while incorporating features such as semi-private issues, evolving consumer preferences among Phnom
rooftop terraces. Penh’s younger demographic (Yen et al., 2016), and the
This housing model, which aligns more closely with the increasing demand for exclusivity among the city’s affluent
socio-spatial characteristics of the Chinese work population. As a result, the shophouse typology continues
unit (单位; danwei) than with American gated to evolve, balancing the needs of modern urban life with
communities, is widely regarded as an affordable solution the multifunctional flexibility that has long been defined
(Leakhana & Brugman, 2022; Traub & Sweeting, 2020). It its traditional character.
has since become the preferred typology for Cambodia’s
suburban population, playing a crucial role in transforming
rural settlements into industrial ones (Figure 9). In doing
so, it has contributed to the ongoing suburbanization of
Phnom Penh (Carrier, 2019) and, arguably, the entire
country.
In recent years, Phnom Penh’s urban development has
been increasingly shaped by foreign direct investments,
not only from China but also from other Asian countries
such as South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore. Figure 9. Commercial houses in industrialized suburban areas of
These investments have been complemented by the Cambodia
growing influence of locally financed groups, which Source: Photo by the author (2024).
have amassed significant capital through investment
diversification and the commodification of real estate

Figure 8. Shophouses in Phnom Penh’s satellite areas Figure 10. Cambodian township, Borey Peng Huoth, The Star Platinum
Source: Photo by the author (2024). Source: Map by Google Hearth.

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 6 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.5410