Phnom Penh’s Former Pochentong Airport Opens for Khmer New Year, Set to Become a Landmark “Sponge City” Park

Phnom Penh’s Former Pochentong Airport Opens for Khmer New Year, Set to Become a Landmark “Sponge City” Park
Phnom Penh’s former international airport is welcoming the public once again, but this time, not for flights.

During this year’s Khmer New Year, the historic Pochentong Airport site will temporarily reopen as a free public park, offering residents a rare opportunity to explore the grounds while previewing what could become one of the city’s most transformative urban projects.

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A Rare Chance to Explore a Historic Landmark

In a special trial initiative, the former Phnom Penh Pochentong International Airport will open from April 11 to April 19, operating daily between 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM.

Visitors will be able to walk through key areas that were once restricted, including:

• The main terminal building and iconic 1950s control tower
• The VIP terminal zone
• Aircraft parking areas
• Sections of the runway

To mark the festive season, parts of the site have been enhanced with traditional Khmer New Year decorations and games, creating a lively and accessible environment for families and visitors.

Authorities have also implemented clear access and safety guidelines, including designated entry points, low-cost parking, and restrictions on vending and alcohol.

The reopening follows the airport’s official closure on September 9, 2025, after all operations were relocated to the new Techo International Airport. This transition unlocked approximately 386 hectares of prime land within Phnom Penh, an area now positioned for a complete transformation. 

Rather than conventional commercial redevelopment, the site is being reimagined as a large-scale public and environmental asset, reflecting a shift toward more sustainable urban planning in the capital.

The Winning Vision: A “Sponge City” for Phnom Penh

Central to this transformation is the concept of turning the former airport into a “sponge city park”, a forward-thinking approach that uses natural systems to manage water, reduce flooding, and improve urban livability.

The idea was formalized through a national architectural design competition titled “Pochentong Reborn: Transforming the Old Phnom Penh Airport into a Sponge City.”

The competition attracted significant interest, with 250 teams and over 850 young architects participating across multiple rounds before being narrowed down to the final proposals.

The first prize was awarded to the “Queen Mother Library Architecture” team from the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam), following a detailed evaluation process.

Their winning concept, themed “Transforming a Solid Cambodian Historical Site Through Green Infrastructure Engineering,” reimagines the airport as a nature-integrated urban landscape.

How the Sponge City Will Work

Instead of replacing the site with dense buildings, the masterplan focuses on working with nature to create a more resilient city.

Key features of the proposed design include:

• Permeable walkways and green corridors that allow rainwater to naturally filter into the ground
• Bioswales and rain gardens to capture and clean stormwater
• Wetlands, retention ponds, and floodplains to store excess water and reduce flooding
• Large open green spaces designed for recreation, sports, and community use

Beyond flood management, the project is designed to:

• Improve urban biodiversity
• Reduce heat and pollution levels
• Create year-round public spaces for residents
• Encourage community interaction across generations

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A Glimpse Into Phnom Penh’s Future

While the Khmer New Year opening is temporary, it offers something more significant than just a festive outing, it provides a preview of a new urban direction for Phnom Penh.

The transformation of Pochentong Airport into a sponge city park signals a broader shift in the capital’s development strategy:

• From density to livability
• From concrete to green infrastructure
• From short-term gains to long-term resilience

If successfully implemented, the project could become a benchmark for future developments in Cambodia, redefining how large-scale urban land is repurposed.

For now, the public is invited to walk the runways of the past, while imagining the green city of the future. Stay tune for more news and updates from Realestate.com.kh, your number 1 real estate agency here in Cambodia.