Boeung Trabek

Was it always like this? That’s the question that popped into my head as we reached Boeung Trabek. This wetland, right in the heart of Phnom Penh, seems almost out of place amidst the rapidly growing city. You can see modern buildings reaching for the sky in the distance. Yet, here, life continues at a different pace. Life around Boeung Trabek hasn’t been easy, especially for the community that calls its banks home.Imagine, living alongside a canal that carries not just rainwater, but also the city’s waste. That’s the reality for around 400 people who’ve built their stilt houses and makeshift homes along Boeung Trabek. They live with the constant threat of floods damaging their homes and the risk of diseases. And as if that wasn’t enough, they’ve been living under the shadow of eviction for decades. Boeung Trabek is considered an illegal settlement. The people here lack land titles, despite organizing themselves and seeking recognition since 1999. The government, aiming for commercial development, even filled parts of Boeung Trabek, ironically blaming the community’s growth for increased flooding. It’s a story of resilience in the face of hardship. A stark reminder of the inequalities that persist even as cities grow and modernize.