The Evolution of Koh Pich

Before OCIC could start work on the next phase of Koh Pich’s journey, it was key to quiz the people who live and work there, as well as visitors who use its facilities. “We needed to understand what they felt and what they would like to have there,” Tea said, adding that an extensive survey was conducted. “This enabled us to understand the different requirements and needs for everyone.” The results were an overwhelming demand for more green space, being able to enjoy the riverside area, and creating more community centric amenities for the people who live and work there. In addition, there was a call for more food and drink options, and places and spaces for families and friends to meet. Part of the first phase of the project emerged in response to the survey with a boardwalk created along the riverside, meaning people can take a leisurely stroll from the south to the north of the island. Tea said the Riverside Promenade quickly proved popular with young capital dwellers, given a further boost by the addition of a weekend market, as well as night markets. According to OCIC, between 40,000 and 60,000 people now visit the promenade each weekend. “We’ve been seeing a very good response from young people. Now they want to go there and relax and enjoy themselves,” Tea said, adding that Coconut Park and Treellion Park are also attracting scores of youngsters. Designing spaces for the community More green space was a top priority that emerged from the survey. While Koh Pich is already home to Coconut and Treellion parks, OCIC has a vision to create a sprawling Central Park. The park is currently in the design phase, with plans to include an abundance of trees and grassed areas. Trees include those saved from the former Odom Garden on Norodom Boulevard, which were felled to pave the way for development. “We were able to do some conservation by rescuing these trees and placing them in a nursery. They will be placed within the park,” said Tea. The aim is for the park to open before the end of 2024. In addition, Connexions, an eight-storey community hub and innovation center that spans a total of 87,000 square meters, enjoyed its soft opening in November as the island’s latest community venture. The environmentally-friendly design will incorporate green, open-air spaces and house a supermarket, coffee shops, and other outlets. It will also feature a sports floor and office spaces. An innovation Center will be on the second and third floors, including a creative space for kids and a start-up accelerator. “This should continue to embrace this vibrant community that has started on Koh Pich,” said Tea, adding that final plans divide Koh Pich into mini-districts. For example, the north side that used to house the night market has been earmarked as a space for concerts and other outdoor events. “We are really dynamically using the space where the night market used to be,” said Tea. “The objective is to really transform the space to be more lively, and have more music options and small concerts.” OCIC has also mapped out plans to host small music events in the planned Central Park. “The idea is you can have some tapas amid the green and then enjoy live music,” Tea added.