Cambodia & EuroCham: “Tall Building Forum 2024” explores the future of skyscrapers in South-East Asia

Following successful Forums in 2018 and 2022, EuroCham Cambodia and its Real Estate and Construction Committee have expanded the scope of this year's Tall Buildings Forum by collaborating with EuroCham Vietnam's Construction Committee.

For this 3rd edition, the Forum took place in both countries, on 28 May in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 30 May, on the premises of the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, with the participation of internationally renowned experts.

This event was an opportunity to consider the prospects and challenges for major construction projects in Cambodia and South-East Asia in general.

The booming property and construction sectors in South-East Asia

In his opening speech, EuroCham President Tassilo Brinzer said:

“The real estate and construction sector is going through a transitional phase, but as this forum shows, there is optimism and renewed interest in better quality, energy efficiency and increased sustainability in general for high-rise buildings and the infrastructure surrounding them.”

Indeed, both forums focused on common topics, namely tall building trends in 2024 in South-East Asia, sustainability concepts related to tall buildings, affordability and the latest technologies. Each forum focused on a country-specific session, making the event truly unique.

Rebuilding an identity for the Kingdom

His Excellency Say Samal, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, then addressed the 140 participants, saying that it was crucial to start planning a Phnom Penh that suited everyone at this critical stage of development.

Speech by His Excellency Say Samal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, Cambodia

“We want a city where everyone can live, have their own nest, find a decent job, put food on the table and allow their children to go to a quality school,” he said, adding:

“Everyone should have a say in how the city is designed and planned… Our identity was lost during the Khmer Rouge, and we have to rebuild it ourselves. We have come out of the abyss and are building a new society, setting new values and creating a new way of life.”

Preserving Khmer culture for new Infrastructure

One of the themes discussed at the Forum was also finding a balance between the need to construct large buildings due to urbanisation, while ensuring that local culture remains intact and that infrastructure is not overloaded. With a lack of zoning regulations and infrastructure such as drainage and road networks already under strain, the country is at a crossroads where decisions taken today will decide the shape of Cambodia’s cities in the future.

Rapid and radical change is creating difficulties for the city to adapt, and these typical high-rise lifestyles are often at odds with traditional Cambodian housing styles. In the absence of zoning regulations, the areas surrounding tall buildings are often not designed to accommodate a sudden influx of cars or pedestrians, putting a strain on local infrastructure.

Mr Sreng Vannak, Head of Administration of the Phnom Penh Capital Hall, said it was important to take into account local customs and the limited capacity of the infrastructure when designing new buildings.

“Phnom Penh is an old city that has transformed into a high-rise city, and we know that the public infrastructure needs to be improved,” he says.

Sustainability concepts related to tall buildings at the heart of new technology

Around the world, the popularity of skyscrapers is prompting questions about how they are used and how well they address environmental issues.

“Better use of land leaves more room for green spaces, which are very attractive to the community. If we balance high-rise development with community participation, we will have a successful development,” says Serge Pak, Managing Director of Beton Block and Pave.

Lawrence Lennon, Managing Director of real estate agency CBRE, added his perception for Cambodia with mixed-use potential particularly in Sihanoukville: “I see potential for hospitals, education and retirement. Affordable housing should be a big opportunity in this coastal town, as should universities. I think Cambodia should try to open its door to get an international university in Sihanoukville.”

Later in the afternoon, the experts discussed the continuing popularity of skyscrapers around the world, as they are both a sign of strength and technical ingenuity, and very practical in accommodating the trend towards urbanisation. By 2050, experts estimate that up to 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas.

Future Tall Building Competition

This competition gave architecture students the chance to showcase their talents by designing tall buildings that focus on practicality, sustainability and community integration.

Candidate in the competition explaining his project

Ian Harry Man, Director of Future Architecture, announced the winner at the start of the Forum: a team named after its high-rise creation, The Beacon.

The team incorporated a number of future technologies into their design, including solar panels for the walls and wind-optimised edges.

Thanks to the relevance of their work project carried out during their fifth semester at the University, the winning team was offered internships at Future and Archetype, while the three teams in the running won LAMY pens and cash prizes.

Winners of the « Future Tall Building Competition » : Adrian Cabulong, Chhayhong Leng et Rada Chamroeun de Limkomwing University of Creative Technology of Cambodia

Between innovation and environmental challenges

The Forum concluded with an overview of emerging technological trends in the sector, such as improved prefabrication, cutting-edge wind-resistance technology and innovations in lifts and green roofs.

Given these challenges, a mix of towers and low-rise buildings would be the solution, with the aim of creating a pedestrian environment that is connected to the city and blends in well with its surroundings.

Mohammed Adib, head of design at Dewan Architects & Engineers, said that in the future, companies will spend more time in smaller, denser areas. “You have your green spaces, nature, schools and everything else, and you work there. If you have to travel, coordination with other areas like airports and surrounding cities is easy.”

Benjamin Warner, Managing Director of RHSP, said the solution was to combine high-rise and low-rise buildings, creating a pedestrian environment that is connected to the city and fits in well with the environment. Coordination with the public sector is key to the success of massive urban planning, he added.

“You need strong, solid political intervention to achieve this. It's not just about master plans and architects, it's about politicians making it happen”.