Congestion cannot be reduced by just accommodating additional motor vehicle traffic. An alternative approach that is more effective and is needed, where Phnom Penh urban mobility relies upon cost-efficient and space efficient means of commute---active commute and public transit.

Phnom Penh is rapidly expanding outward. New residential neighborhoods are of low density, car-dependent construction, which imposes additional living expenses on to its residents. A cost-effective home is not only economical to acquire but also has affordable expenses. Cost-effective homes and neighborhoods require consideration in four areas, neighborhood planning, mobility planning, housing design, and infrastructure.

Rapid Development must also be accompanied by increasing levels of livability. Instead of being an after-thought, a livable city should be recognized as a pre-requisite or pathway to attract people, talent, and growth.

Phnom Penh's effort to expand vehicle-centric infrastructure does not reduce congestion. Expanding roads only encourages private vehicle dependency, leading to increased congestion overall.

As Cambodia’s urban areas develop and offer increasing opportunities in employment and education, rural-urban migration will rise, placing pressure on the availability and affordability of adequate homes. This policy brief discusses urbanization trends in Cambodia and provides an overview of the demand and supply issues affecting housing adequacy and affordability in Phnom Penh. The brief concludes with policy recommendations.

In the Cambodian sociocultural context, one could assume that the Cambodian elderly are set up to enjoy a high quality of life in their advanced age. Yet there is evidence that Cambodian elderly face difficulties in terms of economic and health conditions as well as their dependency on the family. This policy brief briefly examines the current state of the elderly in Cambodia concerning their education, economic conditions, and healthcare. It also examines how changing demographics and a significant number of elderly Cambodians add urgency to the issues they face.

There is significant interplay between agriculture and forestry as both contribute to poverty reduction strategies in Cambodia. Cambodia’s agriculture and forests are under mounting pressure from strategic mismanagement, compounded by the pressures of climate change, deficiencies in agricultural intensification, and weak forest governance. This policy brief discusses the state of agriculture and forests in Cambodia, the connections between the two issues, and the need for Cambodia to advance a sustainable model for its forestry and agriculture sectors.