Build4People is thrilled to announce the publication of the Planning and Design Guideline “Climate Protection & Energy Flows “, a key element of the B4P Transformation Toolbox, the central output product of Build4People’s Research and Development Phase (2021–2025).
As the building and construction sector remains to be one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG) globally, accounting of 34% of emissions in 2023, this guideline is focussing on approaches to reduce the ecological footprint of buildings, from the early design states on, till the re-use of construction materials after the building’s demolition.
The guideline’s suggestions to adopt more sustainable building practices go therefore beyond mere energy efficiency but include holistic strategies that integrate passive design, renewable energy solutions, and careful material selection. While operational carbon (emissions from building use) must be minimized, embodied carbon (emissions from construction materials) also plays a decisive role. As buildings move toward net-zero energy operation, their ecological impact increasingly depends on resource-efficient materials and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies.
In this way, our guideline provides actionable recommendations for practitioners and local authorities in Phnom Penh, supporting Cambodia’s sustainable energy transition. By combining energy-efficient design, renewable energy integration and low-carbon materials, these measures contribute to a resilient, climate-neutral urban future. Through collaboration and policy alignment, Phnom Penh can advance its sustainability goals while fostering healthier, more adaptive living environments for its residents.
Build4People would like to express its deep gratitude to the two lead authors of the planning and design guideline “Climate Protection & Energy Flows“, Julie Robles, regional manager of the Asia Low Carbon Buildings Transition (ALCBT) project at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in Cambodia, and Dr. Kimnenh Taing, researcher at LUCID, University of Liège, and lecturer at the Institute of Technology Cambodia (ITC).
Reviewers of this guideline were Dr. Michael Waibel from the Department Geography at the Stiftung Universität Hildesheim, Germany, and Rolf Messerschmidt from the urban architecture and design practice Eble Messerschmidt Partner (EMP), based in Tübingen, Germany.
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