Residential Lands in Cambodia

Any plot of land reserved for the sole purpose of constructing houses to be lived in by people is called Residential Land. A sizable piece of land dominated by residential properties is referred to as a residential area.

This classification extends not only for the uses of the land but is also a determining factor for zoning and tax liabilities.

Residential properties may include single or multiple story structures that resided by only one family or extended family unit. When the structure is rented to gain income, the classification then changes from residential to commercial land.

Zoning is a system that allows the government to control and regulate how the land is being used. This is done to ensure that there are enough utilities, transport links and balance of natural resources in particular land classification.

Zoning ordinances in residential land may allow its use to be commercial, to some extent. However, most zoning laws completely exclude businesses and industries to be in the same area as residential lands.

Residential zoning allows a smaller floor area ratio than business, commercial, industrial and manufactural zoning.

Land use is the function with which people utilize the land available to them. The classification of Land use allows the government to correctly identify and manage the area where the land is located. This is done by means of proper zoning.

There are 7 major types of land use mainly Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural, Recreational, Transport Space and Public Land or Open Space.

1. Residential Land Use - the most common type of land use is for residential purposes. It is land used mostly for housing with limited or no allocation for commercial use.

   • It has the largest share of Urban Land Use

   • The land may be used for individual household structures, apartment units, dormitories, and vacant plots.

   • It generates the biggest garbage volume in the urban areas

   • When land is cleared for housing, trees, and the natural vegetation is cleared to maximize the area and build as many structures as possible.

   • Non-Regulated residential land use can adversely affect the environment.

2. Commercial Land Use - refers to land reserved for commercial purposes. It is often where condominiums, apartment complexes, office building, and retail outlets are built.

   • It has the smallest share in an Urban Land Use development

   • Although small in size, the economic value of this land use is exponential, considering its impact on employment and the income it contributes to the economy of the city where it is located.

   • Commercial land use can affect the environment in terms of pollution from the transport links, high density of population and the technological garbage that it attracts.

   • Non-Regulated commercial land use can cause an imbalance and decrease of available residential land.

3. Industrial Land Use - this type of land use vary depending on the industrial activity being performed in a specific area.

   • Industrial land in urban areas usually refers to factories or refineries, and of operation centers for utilities like telecommunications, water, electricity, and sewage treatment.

   • In rural areas, industrial land is used in mines, mills that produce metals, oil, and gas. It can also be used as reservoirs for hydroelectric production.

   • Industrial land usage can cause environmental hazards like air pollution, chemical spills and degradation of natural resources if left unmanaged.

4. Agricultural Land Use - refers to land used for the purpose of agriculture and forestry.
   • Agricultural land use depends on the type of crop and agronomic system. These can vary from monocultures plants to organic or perennial crops.
   • This type of land use has no adverse effect on pollution except when harmful pesticides or harmful type of chemicals are used.

5. Recreational Land Use - this type of land use is added in most cities to allow the use of land for rest, relaxation and recreational purposes. The most common use of recreational land includes:

   • Parks and Playgrounds

   • Government Monuments or Memorials

   • Places for outdoor sports like stadiums and basketball courts

   • Relaxation or Educational Areas like Eco-centers, Zoo, and Museums

6. Transportation Space - this refers to land being used as Airports, railroads, streets, bus stations, and parking spaces. This type of land use has the biggest share in urban planning spaces.
7. Public Land Use or Open space - this type of land use generally refers to land that is accessible to the public such as cemeteries.

   • Although a big chunk of space is needed to accommodate these facilities and no further use of the land can be done, it is required in planning urban development.

Generally, residential land can still be found within a few minutes from the commercial areas. Toul Kork in Phnom Penh, Takeo and Kandal are popular areas where residential land is still available.

In Siem Reap, this type of real estate is available in the towns of Chreav, Svay Dangkum and the small municipalities all over the province.

Sihanoukville also has an extensive supply of residential land just waiting for development.