Phnom Penh : A City Shaped by Spirituality / Paul DC Robinson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Robinson, Paul DC, author.

Series:

Asian Studies E-Books Online, Collection 2026.

Brill's Southeast Asian Library ; 14

Asian Studies E-Books Online, Collection 2026

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Asian Studies.

South East Asia.

Religion.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (220 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

A City Shaped by Spirituality

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : BRILL, 2026.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Table of Contents Acknowledgements …………………………….……………………………….…. i Table of Figures ……………………………………............................................ iv Glossary of terms ………………………………..…………………………………. xii Foreword 1 Introduction 3 Chapter 1: Phnom Penh 9 A city overview 9 Chapter 2: Hybrid Spirituality 18 Spirituality, architecture, and urban design 18 Origins of hybrid spirituality 2 Chapter 3: Topography, Spirituality, and the Tree 26 Topography and spirituality 26 The topographical element of the tree 29 The natural tree 29 The abstracted tree 3 Chapter 4: The Mountain 32 The Animist natural mountain 32 The hybrid natural mountain 33 The artificial urban mountain 34 The abstracted mountain 37 Chapter 5: Water and Spatial Spirituality Maps 39 A brief urban history 39 The natural presence of water 4 The abstracted presence of water 43 Spatial spirituality maps 45 Chapter 6: Traditional Khmer Dwelling 48 Two traditional construction rituals 48 The typical Khmer settlement evolution ritual 49 The traditional settlement, spirituality, and the senses 5 The typical traditional Khmer house construction ritual 52 The traditional house, spirituality, and the senses 53 Chapter 7: Vann Molyvann and 21st Century Dwelling 57 The traditional house and Vann Molyvann 57 Typology one: the shophouse 58 21st century domestic vernacular architecture 62 Typology two: the detached/semi-detached villa 63 Typology three: the high-rise apartment block 64 Spatial impact of spirituality elevations and sections 66 Chapter 8: Urban Layout Evolution 69 Urban layout origins 69 Urban layouts during the French Protectorate 95 Wat Phnom 99 The Royal Palace 11 Ben Decho lake 13 The urban layout during the first era of independence 15 The Independence Monument 16 The National Sports Complex 18 Rupture and the era of war 111 The urban layout since 1993 113 21st century urban focal points 115 Chapter 9: The Water Festival 117 An urban ritual 117 The King 124 Hybrid spirituality during the Water Festival 128 Chapter 1: Future Possibilities 131 Gathered conclusions 131 Contributions to knowledge 132 Methodology review 134 Future possibilities 135 Appendix 1: Chronology of Kings 139 Appendix 2: Flags of Cambodia 141 Index ??? Bibliography ???.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9789004760448

OCLC:

1600525656

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004760448 DOI