The aim of this dissertation study is to examine squatter settlements in Phnom Penh city. It is based on the two hypotheses that the main reason for squatting is for reasons other than searching for cheaper accommodation; and secondly that most squatters are not poor, new, rural to urban migrants. In other words, there is no relationship between squatting and the status of squatters' migration and level of wealth. Unlike the dominant theoretical views, the findings of this study shows that in the case of squatter settlements in Phnom Penh city most squatters are long-term and not necessarily the poorest residents compared to slum dwellers and even the rest of the urban population.
