Program to focus on changing cityscape of Cambodian capital

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

“Challenges of Preservation Planning: A Cambodian Perspective,” a presentation by Songmeng Chea, will be at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center, 325 W. Federal St., downtown.

Chea is a foreign-service national with the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia who previously lived and studied in Northeast Ohio.

His urban planning presentation, sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, will include an overview of events that transformed the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, once known as “the Pearl of Asia” but largely gutted by decades of war and neglect.

In recent years, a massive flow of capital from wealthy Asian nations has further altered the cityscape, which now features high-rise satellite suburbs and city-center projects. These developments, however, have threatened the city’s most enduring landmarks, many of which were designed by noted Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann.

Chea, who completed coursework at Kent State University in 2005, has served in various capacities with the U.S. Embassy over the past eight years.

He currently holds the position of criminal fraud investigator.

A lifelong resident of Phnom Penh, Chea will share his impressions on the ways in which the city’s development has affected average citizens. A periodic visitor to Northeast Ohio, he will also comment on changes he has observed in the Youngstown area.

Saturday’s program is free to the public. For information, call 330-743-2589.