Phnom Penh - (Brill's Southeast Asian Library) by Paul DC Robinson (Hardcover)

About the Book

In Southeast Asia the relationship between spirituality and urban design is active, vibrant and exciting. This book explores the relevance of this powerful and enduring phenomena in the future of city design, through the built environment of Phnom Penh.

Book Synopsis

Prompted by lived experience, this book presents spatial impacts of spirituality in the city of Phnom Penh through a diverse array of text, photographs, and drawings. It introduces the prevalent hybrid spirituality of Khmer culture that is spatially manifest in three leading ways: the topographical elements of tree, mountain, and water; house typologies and urban focal points at variety of scale; and finally, through traditional rituals. A plausible dynamic relationship between spirituality and urban design emerges that demonstrates spirituality as a core urban design parameter. This work makes a vital and timely contribution to Southeast Asian urbanism that will inform future city design.

About the Author

Paul DC Robinson, Ph.D. (2020), University of Liverpool, is an award-winning RIBA qualified Architect and Urban Designer who regularly teaches, publishes and practices in the field of Tropical Urbanism. He is currently a tutor at the Manchester School of Architecture.