Build4People

We are proud to announce the publication of the video clip documentation of the Build4People Science Workshop “Urban Quality of Life & the B4P Citizen Science App” which took place took place at the CKCC (Cambodia-Korea Cooperation Center) at Royal University of Phnom Penh on 04 December 2024.

The main objective of this workshop was to link the overarching theme of the Build4People project, namely research and enhancement of urban quality of life in Phnom Penh, with the B4P Citizen Science (CS) App.

During the workshop, the challenges and opportunities of the B4P CS App were discussed, and the app was tested and evaluated in terms of further optimization together with research colleagues from the Royal University of Phnom Penh and motivated students.

Our team would like to thank everyone for attending this meaningful event, and particularly the very engaged team of our valued colleagues from Royal University of Phnom Penh for their strong commitment and valuable contributions.

#Build4People #BMBF_SUREregions #RUPP #CitizenScience

We are happy to announce that a peer-reviewed publication of team members of the Build4People Work Package “Behaviour Change” led by Magdeburg University, Germany, and Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, has been published at a renowned regular publication, the Asian Journal of Social Psychology, published in conjunction with the Asian Association of Social Psychology and John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd.

Bibliographic reference:

Deuß, A., Theis, A., Sok, S., Op, V., & Blöbaum, A. (2025). Predictors of the intention to adopt residential photovoltaics in Cambodia–A psychological perspective. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 00, 1–15. https://doi. org/10.1111/ajsp.12674

Abstract:

Cambodia has a high potential for the use of residential photovoltaics (RPV), a promising approach to mitigate climate change, but the country is lagging behind in realising this potential. This paper attempts to empirically investigate what motivates and hinders Cambodians’ intentions to adopt RPV from a psychological perspective. To answer this research question, an integrative theoretical framework based on the value−belief−norm (VBN) theory and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was used. Data was collected by means of a survey, distributed among individuals belonging to the urban middle and upper classes of Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The data of N = 272 participants was then analysed using structural equation modelling and Gaussian graphical modelling. The results revealed that participants’ intention to adopt RPV is associated both with the motivation to protect the environment and with the motivation to make a reasoned decision within the role of consumer. The study’s results are discussed with particular regard to practical implications that can be derived from them, e.g., the design of potential communicative strategies that can be used to foster the intention to adopt RPV in the future.

Dear friends and colleagues, we would like to take the opportunity to kindly thank you for all the tremendous support we have received during the past year in challenging times. We appreciate this so much in regard of our joint journey to promote more sustainable pathways in the field of sustainable neighbourhood development in urban Cambodia.

Looking very much forward to exciting new transformative endeavours in the new year to come, particularly in tackling the Twin Transformation of bringing together green and smart city strategies, the whole Build4People team would like to sincerely wish you relaxing Christmas holidays and only the very best for the New Year 2025. 

With warmest wishes, on behalf of the whole Build4People team, 
Michael Waibel (Build4People representative).

On 18 December 2024 the Build4People Work Package “Urban Climate” Science Workshop with the topic “Microclimate Analyses” took place between the German team members Prof. Dr. Lutz Katzschner, Dr. Jannalisa Hahne and Sebastian Kupski, all from INKEK (Institute for Climate and Energy Concepts), and the Cambodian research research partners, Bunleng Se, Dr. Nyda Chhinh and Dr. Daniel Choi from RUPP (Royal University of Phnom Penh).

The key aim of the Science Workshop was to increase understanding how to analyse and present data from past microclimate measurements.

A previous Science Workshop in February 2024 aimed to show what microclimate studies are, which climatic parameters matter and how to measure them. Field measurements were carried out at Sangkat Ou Baek K’am, Khan Saen Sokh, Phnom Penh, in order to apply the previously learned techniques. This workshop now aimed at clarifying how to analyse the collected data and eventually how to present it.

Following figure provides a recap of the microclimate measurements and collected data from the February 2024 measurement campaign.

At the beginning, various methods were discussed how to analyse data and climatic parameters, e.g. by means of Tmrt and PET calculations, Questionnaires (Excel), or by the use of Envi-met or GIS software.

Based on this, it was decided that Bunleng Se is going to calculate Tmrt and PET with the existing data with the aim to show PET in different locations, combined with interview answers and thereby proving the accuracy of the model.

Then it was discussed how to present the analysed data. There will be a written report with graphics and maps and a presentation of results at Build4People final conference in May 2025. The content of the presentation will be about the Build4People Urban Climate Map on mesoscale and how to bridge it from mesoscale to microscale and why it matters in regard of implications on urban development and microclimate planning.

Examples from our field measurements on micro climate:

The fruitful Build4People Science Workshop ended with a clarification of the further steps.

The Build4People team would like to sincerely thank all the team members of Royal University of Phnom Penh for their dedicated support.