Current Projects
Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia
GHF’s Master Planning will provide Banteay Chhmar the means to establish an appropriate, long-term balance between the needs of conservation, access, sustainable economic development and the interests of the local community. Additionally, the government has recommended that the Master Plan be prepared as a means for dealing with all of the issues affecting complex archaeological sites.
It is important that the Master Plan be developed in consultation with all of those who are stakeholders in Banteay Chhmar or who may be affected by policies applied to the site. An underlying principle is that of sustainability which strikes a balance between maximizing enjoyment and use of the complex while still preserving the values and fabric of the site and its setting to ensure that its universal significance is not impaired for future generations.
In order to establish the structural stability of walls and towers, it is essential to examine foundations and other below ground constructions to assess their load bearing capacity. A team of trained archaeological excavators is currently undertaking this work. Hydrology plays an important role in the location of Banteay Chhmar and it was considered essential to undertake detailed surveys, research and assessment of the water supply to the temple complex. More extensive archaeological work has been necessary to identify hydrological structures to identify their use and more importantly their topographical relationship to the overall hydrological scheme.
