Cambodia: Profile of Battambang Municipality (on-going for CPI) By Thuon Try Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh IUTC, Korea13-17 July 2015

INTRODUCTION TO Battambang

Location Battambang municipality is the central and provincial town of Battambang Province. Municipality covers an area of 115.44 km2 of which 74% are agricultural land. The municipality consists of 10 Sangkat (Communes) with 92 villages. The topography is flat. Tonle Sap Lake sits to the East and is connected to the Sangke River, which runs through the town.

Location The town covers an area of 11,544 ha. Cultivated areas with 8557.5 ha, construction land areas (ha) with 2,869.7 and other land with 116.6 ha. Currently, only about 30 % is urbanized. The town centre is on west bank of the river – 90% of commercial and residential establishments.

History Historical records (stone scripts and archeological evident) shows the city has existed since 11th century during the Khmer Empire. Significant development occurred during the following events: From 1705-1907: small town with about 2500 residents, stretching along the west bank of Sangker River with one road parallel to the river. From 1907-1953: French colonial period of which the first and second urban development plan were developed: such as bridge, railway, market, business center and modern buildings (1907 and 1926 respectively).

History From 1953-1970: Golden era’s when urban layout of Battambang was enlarged five times the size of the French colonial town. Third urban development planning and development occurred (industrialisation, commercial centers, infrastructure, schools, sport centers,...). From 1970-1990s: civil war From 1990s to present: Battambang has emerged again in terms of national development and regional integration.

Demography Population by 2010 Shows 142,878 (female: 68,824) No Sangkat Total Land (km2) Population Density/sq/km 1 Tuol Ta Ek 3.77 16,182 4,288 2 Preaek Preah Sdach 2.9 12,779 4,407 3 Rottanak 6.79 13,877 2,044 4 Chamkar Samraong 9.18 16,075 1,751 5 Sla Kaet 7.47 6,713 899 6 Kdol Doun Teav 9.06 9,389 1,037 7 Ou Mal 37.74 10,398 276 8 Vaot Kor 24.94 18,232 731 9 Ou Char 11.17 21,475 1,921 10 Svay Pao 2.42 17,758 7,304 Total:   573 142,878

Population projection to 2020

Economy Main economic activities dominated by agriculture (rice, vegetable, livestock and poultry farming, fishing, and NTFP collections). However the services and manufacturing sector has significantly grown in recent years. Tourism activities: cultural villages, traditional houses, museums and entertainment. Battambang is now being transformed into an agro-industrial hub, tourism attraction and competitive city for public and private sector investment.

Natural systems Sangker River originates from the Elephant and Cardamom Mountains at an elevation of about 1,391 msl, then flows across the town and joins various rivers and tributaries before flowing into Tonle Sap Lake.

Natural systems There are three protected areas associated with the Sangker river system: Phnom Samkos Wildlife sanctuary, Sam Lout Multiple Use Areas and Tonle Sap Multiple Use Area - total 710,000 ha.

Hydrological system This map shows at least four river basins connected to Battambang and Sangker River: Stung Svay Don Keo (2,228 Km2), Stung Moung Russei/Dauntry (1,469 km2), Stung Monkul Borey (5,264 km2) and Stung Sisophon (5,595 km2).

Battambang at a cross road Battambang in recent years has reactivated its strategy to take advantage of its location to become an economic and trading center. Infrastructure plays an important role for economic activities and human interaction which includes: National road No.5 connecting municipality to other provinces, Phnom Penh and Thailand. National road No.57 connecting No.5 and other urban areas. National railway: connecting from Phnom Penh to other parts of the country and borders. Battambang air port is situated close to the urban center but not working since 2003.

Town master plan

Future town development plan & infrastructure Vision for 2008-2020

Future land use plan Development zones according to the land-use categories (residential zones, mixed –used zones, commercial zones, administration zones, cultural zones, and others).

Commercial zones

Environmental protection zones

Green strategy

Key infrastructures-to be rehabilitated

MAIN climate threats IN Battambang

Climate change ‘hot spots’ Year Max. Annual Water Level (M) Annual Flood (M3/S) 1999 12.37 634 2000 13.44 1009 2001 12.14 569 2002 11.59 433 2003 13.02 846 2004 12.08 552 2005 13.39 988 2006 13.71 1125 2007 13.50 1034 2008 2009 2010 11.12 337 2011 13.95 1235 Average 12.66 760 Flooding has been recorded in every Sangkat of the municipality in wet season; mostly occurs in October and December. Svay Por, Prek Preah Sdach with depth range from 1 to 2 meters.

The recent flood in 2013 2013 flood worst ever recorded - water level reaches highest level up to 14.2 m on Sangker river. Normally, when water level reaches 12.5 m, water starts to flow into town and lowland and wetland areas.

Flood Risk maps prepared by core group

Flood duration

Flood depth

Battambang terraine

Projected changes to average rainfall & maximum temperatures by 2050   Baseline With C.C. Change Average annual rainfall: 1300 mm 1365 mm +5 % Total rainfall in wet season: 1170 mm 1267 mm +8.3 % Total rainfall in dry season (Mar - Aug): 230 mm 224 mm -2.5 % Average daily maximum temperature (Annual) 32 C 34.2 C +2.2 C Average maximum temperature in wet season: 31 C 33.6 C +2.6 C Average maximum temperature in dry season: 32.5 C 34.4 C +1.9 C

Changes in rainfall with climate change By 2050, Battambang’s total rainfall in the wet season would increase by about 8.3%

Changes in temperature with climate change By 2050, Battambang’s average daily maximum temperature during the dry season would increase by between 1.8 -1.9C

Summary of expected climate changes in 2050 Battambang is expected to be: Significantly hotter and wetter in the wet season Hotter and drier in the dry season

Town ZONE SAFEGUARDs FOR climate change

Core Group working on hot spot maps and safeguards

Safeguards in hot spot zones Strategic infrastructure not to be build in hot spots zones – eg hospitals, government buildings, fuel storage and power plants All developments required to maximise ratio of green cover to building space All developments required to manage drainage and runoff on site. Special design standards for buildings allowing for rain water capture and storage and flood water flow and storage. Environmental Impact assessment of all developments proposed for hot spots

Target site adaptation and development control

Kampong Seima canal system The canal extends across six Sangkat and two national roads (No.5 and No.57). This canal is an important backbone drainage and flood management facility for the town. The core group has envisioned that this canal would become a green belt surrounding the town with multiple community and economic uses. There is also a need to construct wastewater treatment facilities at the lower end of the canal before releasing water into agricultural zones and also to regulate illegal migrant resettlement along the canal system.

Improvement of wastewater system and installation of treatment plant The investment for the improvement of the wastewater systems and the installation of an appropriate wastewater treatment plant including sewerage pipelines will contribute in making Battambang municipality an attractive, liveable and competitive town. This will include 3 km of open and closed channel drainage structures along existing canals in the northern and eastern portion of Battambang. A 5 ha has been identified as the site of the Plant.

River Embankment Protection and Flood Control Measure The protection of Sangker River embankment will mitigate the erosion of the riversides and make economic use of available space for commercial and recreational purposes. This involves civil works for the protection of the river embankment on the eastern side of the Sangker river and the rehabilitation of drainage structures in the town center and adjacent sub-urban areas.

Railway rehabilitation and resettlement There are slum villages living surround the station as well as the current lake called Boeng Toul Ta Ek. The lake plays an important role in flood retention to protect the city and also purify water before releasing through various drainage system and potential water treatment.

Thank you