As Cambodia celebrates Pchum Ben, a deeply spiritual festival honoring ancestors and the invisible connections between the living and the dead, we are reminded of a powerful belief rooted in many Khmer traditions: Nature is not inert. It is alive – with a soul, a spirit, and a place in the sacred web of life. 
This worldview challenges the dominant narratives in modern urban planning. What if our cities were built not just on land, but with the land – in dialogue with the environment rather than in conquest of it?
In the spirit of Pchum Ben, let us rethink sustainable urban development as a spiritual and ecological relationship. A city is not only a machine for living – it is part of an ecosystem that includes trees, rivers, air, and the memories of our ancestors. 
Integrating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and local belief systems into urban planning isn’t nostalgic – it’s a necessary paradigm shift in an era of climate crisis. Sustainable development must account not only for carbon footprints and infrastructure, but for the soul of the land we build upon.
This aligns directly with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which calls for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban spaces. By respecting the spiritual and ecological dimensions of place – as honored during Pchum Ben – we can move beyond technocratic approaches and toward truly resilient cities that reflect both environmental integrity and cultural continuity. 
Let us build cities that honor the past, sustain the present, and respect the spirit of place. 
Source: Alex Azabache
Translation: Nyda Chhinh
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