My Urban Challenge: Makassar, Siem Reap & Vientiane

By Apala Bhattacharya

Third edition of our new infographic series on the biggest challenges faced by the region’s city leaders.

Siem Reap is home to the largest religious monument in the world. Vientiane houses some of the most awe-spiring landmarks in Laos. The city of Makassar can trace its routes back to the spice trades in the 13th century.

As these Southeast Asian cities grow and flourish, city leaders are caught in between speeding ahead to the future, and protecting the past and present.

In our third edition of GovInsider’s My Urban Challenge series, we share insights from Mayors and City Directors of three rapidly evolving ASEAN cities: Siem Reap, Vientiane and Makassar. With rapidly increasing urban challenges such as waste management, transport and healthcare, the cities must find a balance between the old and the new.

Mayor of Siem Reap: With booming tourism in the city comes an ever growing pile of garbage.
City Director of Vientiane: As growth skyrockets, how can the environment be protected?
Mayor of Makassar: Technology might be easy to implement, but how do citizens engage

This will be an ongoing series pulling together innovations from city leaders across ASEAN. Read the first and second edition here.