Phnom Penh: Pedestrian street in the post office district operational in January 2025

The municipality of Phnom Penh has just announced that it will launch the pedestrian street along the river bank, from the post office to the royal palace, at the end of January 2025.

The first step will be to open the pedestrian street every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, according to a meeting held to review the progress of the plans on the afternoon of 25 December 2024 and chaired by Mr Khuong Sreng, Governor of the Phnom Penh Municipal Government.

The ‘Phnom Penh Pedestrian Street’ project aims to transform 57 hectares of the Daun Penh district into a pedestrian haven, with a range of shops, restaurants, hotels and bars, all designed to enhance the city's appeal to both locals and tourists.

Mr Sam Piseth, Director of Phnom Penh's Department of Public Works and Transport, has already given a detailed outline of the pedestrian street project, which will be divided into three distinct zones covering a total area of 57 hectares.

• Zone 1: The first designated zone, in front of the post office, stretches from Rue 94 in the north to Rue 106 in the south, and from Rue 13 in the west to Sisowath Quay in the east. This area is destined to become a bustling food street and shop, promising a mix of culinary delights and shopping.

• Zone 2: The second zone, destined to become a popular street, is bounded by 106 Street to the north, 184 Street to the south, 13 Street to the west and Sisowath Quay to the east. This zone aims to capture cultural vibrancy and creative expression, serving as a platform for pop-up events and street performances.

• Zone 3: The third pedestrian zone, envisaged as a leisure area, is bounded by Rue 184 to the north, Boulevard Sihanouk to the south, Rue 07 to the west and Sisowath Quay to the east. This zone is intended to provide a leisure and recreation area in the heart of the city, with an emphasis on green spaces and recreational activities.

According to Sam Piseth, the city plans to embellish these areas with green belts, original mixed lighting in the gardens and the provision of essential facilities such as public toilets, temporary car parks and entertainment venues. The ‘Phnom Penh Pedestrian Street’ aims to create a space that transforms the heart of the city into a thriving pedestrian paradise, improving the quality of urban life and enhancing the city's international appeal.