Government Asks Japan to Develop White Building

Almost two years after Phnom Penh’s governor announced that the White Building had been condemned, the Ministry of Land management on Friday asked Japan to help develop the iconic but decrepit structure as an affordable residential space.

The building—completed in 1963 under Prince Sihanouk as a low-income housing block—is home to hundreds of families and various small businesses along Sothearos Boulevard in Chamkar Mon district.

Phnom Penh's White Building in September 2014 (Siv Channa/The Cambodia Daily)
Phnom Penh’s White Building in September 2014 (Siv Channa/The Cambodia Daily)

In September 2014, municipal governor Pa Socheatvong said it was set for imminent demolition due to structural instability and poor maintenance. Facing a public outcry, the city reneged but said residents would be responsible for upkeep and any potential safety problems.

During a visit to the country by Hideki Miyauchi, Japan’s deputy minister of land and infrastructure, Cambodian Land Management Minister Chea Sophara appealed on Friday for Japanese support in developing the building, according to a post to Mr. Sophara’s Facebook page.

“I have requested the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between the two ministries to cooperate on key projects such as…the implementation of a national policy for constructing public housing at a suitable price for middle- and low-income villagers and especially to consider the possibility of developing the White Building site,” the post said.

Mr. Sophara added that the potential deal would focus on creating blueprints for “priority developments,” as well as land registration and overall efficiency at the ministry. The post did not say how Mr. Miyauchi responded to the request, and a spokesman for the Japanese Embassy could not be reached on Sunday.

Phnom Penh City Hall spokesman Mean Chanyada said that Cambodian and Japanese officials recently inspected the White Building but referred questions about specific plans to the Land Management Ministry.

Mr. Sophara, the minister, hung up on a reporter, and ministry spokesman Seng Lout declined to comment on whether the new plans involved restoration or a new development.

Khieu Buntheoun, 46, who has lived in the White Building since 1990, said he had seen about 10 officials visit the building and was anxious to hear more about what was coming.

“We are very happy that the government wants to develop the White Building site because this is where we have jobs that support our livelihoods, and it is close to our kids’ schools,” Mr. Buntheoun said.

“Most people do not want to move locations—we want to develop the site itself,” he added. “Now we will wait to see the ministry’s plans.”

Sia Phearum, director of the Housing Rights Task Force, said he hoped any plans would keep residents’ best interests in mind.

“I support the idea, but they shouldn’t do what the Borei Keila company did: promising to build 10 buildings but only constructing eight buildings,” Mr. Phearum said, citing another Phnom Penh development project that left hundreds homeless.

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