September 14, 2018
I. About Me
II. Travel
III. Activities – Week One
I. About Me
My name is Jordan Miller and I am from Lexington, Kentucky, USA. I reside there with my husband, Donovan, of 9 years. I work as an Urban Planner for the City of Frankfort, Kentucky in the department of Planning & Community Development. Frankfort is the capital city of Kentucky and is the 4th smallest state capital in the United States with a population of 28,000.
As a planner, my position touches upon many different areas and disciplines including the following.
- Zoning and land use
- Historic preservation
- Community engagement and public participation
- Long range and comprehensive planning
- Public policy
- Landscape architecture
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Floodplain management and development
- Small area and neighborhood planning
My day-to-day tasks include.
- Development plan and plat review
- Building and construction permit review
- Staff liaison to Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustment, Architectural Review Board
- Local census preparation
- Grant writing and application
- Community workshops
- Digital map preparation
- Graphic design
- Responding to citizen needs concerning development and code enforcement
The City of Frankfort began participating in the ICMA-YSEALI Fellowship Program in the autumn of 2017. Since then we have hosted 4 fellows from Southeast Asia and have sent 2 fellows, including myself, to Southeast Asia.
One of our fellows, Sum Sirey, visited Frankfort earlier this year and I had the pleasure of introducing him to Frankfort’s Planning Department and to some of Kentucky’s important sites and landmarks.
I am honored and thrilled to be participating in the exchange program. I would like to thank Sum Sirey and his lovely wife, Nailya, for being gracious and wonderful hosts during my stay in Cambodia. I would also like to thank the ICMA, YSEALI, and U.S. State Department for coordinating and funding this fantastic program.
II. Travel
I arrived in Phnom Penh on Saturday, September 8. My flight itinerary consisted of flying from Lexington, Kentucky, USA → Atlanta, Georgia, USA → Seoul/Incheon, South Korea → Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The total flight time comprised about 21 hours. The time zone here in Cambodia is 11 hours ahead of where I live in Kentucky. After being here for a week, I am just about acclimated from the jet lag. This is my first visit to Southeast Asia.
III. Activities – Week One
In my time in Cambodia so far I have learned a great deal about the culture and history. I have also been educated on the planning and development process here in Cambodia, which is quite different from America’s.
September 9
Introduction to Phnom Penh and walk along river.
September 10
Meeting at US Embassy and introduction to Sustinat Green staff and offices.
September 11
Visiting public spaces in Phnom Penh, including Wat Phnom and Independence Monument. Meeting with representatives from Coca-Cola on funding and installation of an improved public space with public programming & bioretention systems/rain gardens.
September 12
Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium and urban landscapes & architecture. Genocide Museum S21. River cruise on Mekong River and dinner with new fellow, Theany, who will visit Frankfort this autumn.
September 13
Visiting Royal Palace, National Library, National Museum, and Khmer Traditional Dance performance.
