Posted on April, 28 2021

According to the National Policy on Spatial Planning of the Kingdom of Cambodia (RGC, 2011), a provincial spatial plan belongs to the multi-level hierarchical planning system that includes national, sub-national and local plans. It is conceived as a spatial development framework based on a vision and provides strategic directions for the development of the province for a 20-year time span.

The Provincial Spatial Plan aims to substantiate national level and spatially-relevant policies, plans, programs and strategies and to guide lower-level spatial planning (vertical integration). It also aims to maximize synergies and address trade-offs between provincial sectors (horizontal integration). As such, it informs the formulation of the provincial 5-year development plan and the corresponding investment plan.

The Provincial Spatial Plan aims to determine the future spatial structure of the province and assigns specific functions to different areas of the province. The spatial structure articulates four key elements: the main land-use systems, the transport and connectivity networks, the polycentric structure of urban centers, and the economic development poles. The provincial spatial plan charts the future course of action of these four key elements with a horizon of 20 years.

Given the predominance of natural resources within the province, the Mondul Kiri provincial spatial plan seeks to influence decisions and build a collective ownership around a balanced development between sustainable natural resources management, economic development and equitable access to public services. It does this by providing effective development principles and tools for informed decision making and spatial development processes to promote balanced territorial development.