High population density is often considered to be among the biggest hindrances for development,
particularly in areas where people depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. The reality is, however,
more complicated. The cases presented from the Tonle Sap area and the Mekong Delta show that the
drivers for areas’ development can be very different from population density, and in some cases higher
population density can be seen to be benefi cial for development. This fi nding highlights the need for more
thorough understanding of the wider socio-political and historical context
where development and resource use takes place.