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United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), Nepal
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management
Programme
Final Report
Dec 10, 2012
Nepal
Technical Services for Strengthening
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and
Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal
Final Report
Submitted to:
UNDP Nepal
-
Prepared by:
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative
National Society for Earthquake
Technology-Nepal (NSET)
December 2012
Report on
Enhancement Capacities of Five Municipalities
Permission to use this document is granted provided that the use of document or parts thereof
is for educational, informational, and non-commercial or personal use only.
Recommended citation:
Opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
those of the participating agencies and organizations.
This project is funded by the United Nations Development Programme-Nepal under the
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Program.
For Further information on this project contact:
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
P.O.Box:13775, Sainbu V.D.C. Ward No. 4,
Bhainsepati Residence Area, Lalitpur, Nepal
Tel:(977-1) 5591000, 5592522, 5593000, Fax (977-1) 5592692, 5592693
E-mail: nset@nset.org.np, Website: www.nset.org.np
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
The document is a product of the Strengthening Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and
Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal project. The content of the document is jointly owned by
the Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) and the National Society of Earthquake
Technology (NSET), Nepal and as such indicated: Copyright© 2012 EMI and NSET
Concepts, methods, data and tools (e.g. mainstreaming approach, risk sensitive land use
planning model and others) used in the document and originally owned by the Earthquakes
and Megacities Initiative (EMI) prior to the project, are and remain the sole intellectual
property of EMI as indicated in EMI‟s prior documents, reports, and internal communication.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A number of institutions and individuals supported and contributed to the completion of the
Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan of Kathmandu City
The Project Working Committee is grateful for the valuable time, ideas and resources
invested by the following entities in support of the project:
The United Nations Development Programme Nepal (UNDP-NEPAL) for the financial
support which made this RSLUP review exercises and consolidation possible in 2011;
The KMC Council, Executive Offices and Departments for their commitment, cooperation
and strong participation, especially the Mayor‟s Office, Urban Development Department,
Physical Development and Construction Department, Public Health and Social Development
Department, Legal Department, and Economic Management Department for taking time in
providing valuable inputs and suggestions on the initial drafts of of Kathmandu Metropolitan
city Risk Sensitive land use plan;
The Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee and Kathmandu Valley Development
Authority for taking time in providing valuable inputs and suggestion on the preparation of
Framework for RSLU Planning;
The Ministry Officials and related departments for their relevant comments and guidance on
the initial drafts of Kathmandu Metropolitan city Risk Sensitive land use plan and on the
preparation of Framework for RSLU Planning;
The various persons from different institutions and organizations for their comments during
the Workshops
The Project Working Committee appreciates the contribution of these individuals and
organizations. Sincere apologies are extended to those we might have inadvertently failed to
thank in this document
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
Report on
Enhancement Capacities of Five Municipalities
PREFACE
The past few years have reminded us that disasters affect any place and anyone. Recent
tragedies such as the earthquakes that struck Pakistan (2005), Indonesia (2006), China
(2007), Haiti (2010), Chile (2010), New Zealand (2011), Japan (2011) and the massive
flooding that hit the Philippines and Vietnam (2009) have left thousands of people dead and
injured, not to mention tremendous losses in livelihoods, properties, and resources and
millions of people left homeless.
Acting on the premise that disasters are best avoided through disaster risk reduction (DRR),
governments from around the world adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) at the
2005 World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan. The HFA called on national
governments to substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015 through concrete actions in five
priority areas, to wit:
1. Make DRR a priority by ensuring that it is a national and local priority through efficient
legal and institutional mechanisms;
2. Know the risks and take action by identifying, assessing and monitoring risks leading to
an effective warning system;
3. Build understanding and awareness through knowledge, innovation and education to build
a culture of safety and resilience at all levels;
4. Reduce the underlying risk factors by ensuring that exposure to hazards, vulnerabilities of
people and their places and resources are protected and safe, thus resulting in resilient
communities; and
5. Be prepared and ready to act by strengthening the disaster preparedness for effective
response at all levels.
Since then, land use planning has been identified as one of the most effective ways to take the
HFA forward. For highly vulnerable cities like Kathmandu, a land use plan offers an
opportunity to incorporate risk reduction into development and spatial plans by engaging the
government at various levels, private sector, civil society, international development
organizations, and other key stakeholders (e.g. academia, media, private sector, etc.). The land
use planning process helps the city address its need to reduce disaster risks as part of its
pursuit for sustainable development.
This final project report is a product of activities undertaken under the UNDP Nepal project,
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme Strengthening Risk Sensitive Land
Use Planning and Implementation in Nepal (RSLUP).
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ABOUT THE DOCUMENT
This document is adjoining component under Deliverable 4: a Summary of Activities under
the Technical Services for Strengthening Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and
Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal and lessons learned from the project.. The document is a
final project report for UNDP-Nepal. The document acts as a guide for the Ministry of Urban
Development, Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, Ministry of Federal Affairs and
Local Development, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction,
Kathmandu Valley Development Authority and municipalities in formulating their risk
sensitive land use plans.
Contributors
EMI
Fouad Bendimerad, Ph.D., P.E., Seismology and Earthquake Risk Expert
Renan Tanhueco, Ph.D., Urban and Regional Land Use Planning Expert
Mr. Jerome Zayas, Task Manager
NSET
Mr. Amod Mani Dixit, Senior Expert
Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, Task Manager
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgement................................................................................................... iv
Preface
......................................................................................................... v
About the Document ............................................................................................... vi
1.
Summary of Activities under the Technical Services for Strengthening Risk
Sensitive Land Use Planning and Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal ............ 1
2.
Lessons Learned ........................................................................................... 1
Lesson 1: Follow a Kathmandu Valley Disaster Resiliency Road Map ......... 1
Lesson 2: Get Stakeholders Involved........................................................... 3
Lesson 3: Communicate Risks, Build Capacities and Awareness to Create
Momentum .................................................................................. 3
Lesson 4: Use Simple Planning Guides ....................................................... 5
ANNEXES
Annex 1:
Delivarable 1: Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan Kathmandu Metropolitan City,
Nepal ................................................................................................................. 6
Annex 2:
Delivarable 2: Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP) Blended Training
End of Course Report................................................................................... 264
Annex 3:
Delivarable 3: Framework for Making Kathmandu Valley Development
Concept Plan Risk Sensitive........................................................................ 354
Annex 4:
Delivarable 4 & 5L Selection of Urbanizing VDCs for RSLUP ................... 405
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1.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES UNDER THE TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR
STRENGTHENING RISK SENSITIVE LAND USE PLANNING AND
IMPLEMENTATION (RSLUP) IN NEPAL
In the last quarter of 2011, under the UNDP-run Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management
(CDRM) and the Flagship Programmes of Nepal, the opportunity to update, validate, and
endorse the 2010 KMC RSLUP, as well as developing a road map on how to make the
Kathmandu Valley plan sensitive to risk came about. In December 2011, 2010 KMC RSLUP
was endorsed by selected stakeholders from the Valley. A few months later, this was
approved for adoption and implementation by the KMC Legislative Council, thus sanctioning
an important milestone in the adoption of risk-sensitive land use planning in the country. See
annex D1.
Towards the end of the 1st quarter of 2012, a one and a half month long e-learning and face to
face (Blended Training) was conceptualized, developed and delivered to about 20 participants
from various municipalities of Kathmandu Valley and government offices of Nepal. This
culminated to a presentation of end–of–course projects and sharing of insights in the Closing
Ceremonies of the RSLUP blended training course which was held at the Kumari Hall,
Annapurna Hotel, Kathmandu City on April 29, 2012. The officials from Ministry of Physical
Planning and Works (MoPPW), Ministry of Local Development (MoLD), Department of
Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) and other Government Agencies
and Local Governments in Nepal attended the event. This completes deliverable 2.See Annex
D2.
In the 2nd quarter of 2012, a document on Roadmap for Making Kathmandu Valley
Development Concept Plan Risk Sensitive: Frameworks and Processes was completed. A
presentation of the findings was delivered in the same closing ceremonies for the RSLUP
blended training course, held at the Kumari Hall, Annapurna Hotel, Kathmandu City on April
29, 2012. A month after, a final report was given to UNDP-Nepal. This completes deliverable
3.See Annex D3
Towards the last quarter of 2012, a report was submitted to UNDP-Nepal on the selection of
Village Development Committees (VDCs) identified for risk sensitive land use planning with
the KV Municipalities. This complete deliverable 4. See Annex D4
2.
LESSONS LEARNED
The following is a summary of key lessons learned in the project in terms of establishing the
framework and processes for making Kathmandu Valley Development Concept Plan risk
sensitive.
Lesson 1:
Follow a Kathmandu Valley Disaster Resiliency Road Map
There had been many individual efforts, resources committed and planned work towards
making Kathmandu Valley disaster resilient. To achieve goals and objectives of Kathmandu
Valley development, a road map (a plan) is needed. Plans are needed to guide interventions
and prioritize limited resources to achieve the best benefits with minimum risks.
In this project, the formulation of a Kathmandu Valley Physical Framework and Development
Plan (enhanced KV 2020) was suggested to be made risk sensitive using the frameworks and
processes that were built upon the prior experiences of EMI in crafting the Kathmandu
Metropolitan City Disaster Risk Management Master Plan (KMC DRMMP) 2005-2006, and
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the KMC Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan (KMC RSLUP) 2008-2010, with KMC, NSET and
other local stakeholders.
It was proposed in the Roadmap for Making Kathmandu Valley Development Concept Plan
Risk Sensitive: Frameworks and Processes that to complete the KV Development Concept
into a KV Physical framework plan, a 3-year plan be programmed in four stages as indicated
below in Figure 1.
Table. 1. Proposed Activities and Timeline for the Completion of the Risk Sensitive Land Use
Plan for the Kathmandu Valley
Tasks
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
STAGE 1:
Task 1. Organizing and tasking activities for Risk
Sensitive physical framework planning for Kathmandu
Valley
Task 1.1 KVDA planning committee &structure defined
Task 1.2 KV Data inventory and Thematic Map
inventory
Task 1.3 Work Plan and Approval, Funding source
STAGE 2:
Task 2.Updating of KV Concept Plan,
Task 2.1 Updating of Ecological profile,
Task 2.2 RSLUP Guideline preparation
STAGE 3:
Task 3 Valley Wide Multi Hazards Analysis
Task 4. Valley wide Transport Planning
Task 5. Valley wide Physical Framework Planning
STAGE 4:
Task 6. Selected KV Urbanizing VDCs, Municipalities
RSLUP
Task 7. Special Studies (Selected Heritage/Historical
Sites)
Task 8. Capacity building, monitoring tools
development
To complete the KV Development Concept into a KV Physical framework plan, a three (3)year plan programmed into four (4) stages is proposed, as follows:
Stage 1 will focus on organization and preparation for KV risk sensitive planning. This shall
include the composition of KVDA committee for planning, data inventorying, work planning,
approval process and project budgeting. This stage shall help reach consensus among the
Nepalese government agencies and development partners in Nepal on the development
strategies, methodology and institutional arrangements for the development of the Kathmandu
Valley RSLUP. This may be completed within the first semester of the first year.
Stage 2 will include updating of the KV concept plan. This shall include updating the
information about the planning environment (social, economic, physical and environmental
aspects) and the development of a simplified guide towards risk sensitive physical framework
(land use) planning. This may be completed within the first year.
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Stage 3 will include the Valley wide multi hazard analysis, transport planning, and physical
framework planning. Because of possible data requirements which can only be acquired by
primary data gathering (surveys and interviews), model development and processing, at least
two (2) years may be required to complete an integrated transport and land use planning for
the Kathmandu Valley. The government partners for the project will be MoUD, MoPPW,
MoLD, KVDA, KMC and other Municipalities and VDCs within Kathmandu Valley.
Previous studies will be reviewed for relevance to this particular effort.
Stage 4 will focus on municipal land use planning or periodic planning of selected submetropolitan cities, municipalities and urbanizing VDCs. This stage will also include the
finalization of the KMC RSLUP. Special studies on heritage areas or historical sites are
proposed while the land use plans are similarly prepared, in order that these master plans are
concurrent with the land use plan preparation. This is expected to start in the last three
semesters of the three-year period.
The recommended process is consistent with previous initiatives and efforts including the
KMC RSLUP and the goals of the CDRM program. It is then very important to maintain a
plan and implement it.
Lesson 2:
Get Stakeholders Involved
DRR mainstreaming concept developed by EMI is a reminder that to promote the integration
of risk reduction measures in local governance, it is highly effective when local authorities (or
in general, stakeholders) are engaged in the process. This had been the key towards KMC
RSLUP endorsement and adoption. It is important that stakeholders take ownership of the
plan preparation. This framework reminds us of the need to make use of mechanisms,
processes, and systems that are already in place in order to mainstream DRR.
Figure 1. Framework for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (EMI, copyright)
Lesson 3: Communicate Risks, Build Capacities and Awareness to
Create Momentum
Capacity building activities should be an on-going activity to maintain and reinforce
institutional memory of DRR in land use planning and management. Capacity building of
Nepalese planners in risk sensitive land use planning shall be coursed through active
participation in the various activities, workshop and lectures, field trips and site visits among
others. These activities are hoped to support the future implementation of the CDRM and the
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Flagship Programmes. The experience of KMC has put it in a position to take hold of the
KMC plan and implement it.
Parallel to the development of the KMC RSLUP are the continuous conduct of awareness
raising activities by KVDA through public consultations and the dissemination of
information, education and communication (IEC) materials such as posters and fliers (see
Figures 3). Similar activities by EMI and NSET in the past, helped improve understanding
and support to the KMC RSLUP by key stakeholders such as government ministries and
donor organizations.
Figure 2.
Sample of LUP Flier distributed as part of the awareness campaign
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Lesson 4:
Use Simple Planning Guides
Land use planning is identified as one of the most effective ways to achieve DRR and to take
the National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (2009) and the National Adaptation
Programme of Action (NAPA) to Climate Change (2009) forward. For highly vulnerable and
fast growing urban areas such as the Kathmandu Valley, a risk sensitive land use plan or
physical framework plan offers an opportunity to incorporate risk reduction into development
and spatial plans by engaging the government (at various levels), private sector, civil society,
international development organizations, and other key stakeholders (e.g. academe, media,
private sector, etc.). The land use planning process helps Kathmandu Valley address its need
to reduce disaster risks as part of its pursuit for sustainable development.
The work done by Kathmandu Municipal City (KMC), EMI, NSET and other local partners
in completing a Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan (RSLUP) in 2010 provided the learning
experience to local and national government officials that traditional land use planning can
be enhanced or made risk sensitive and be used to meet national and local agendas on risk
reduction, climate change adaptation towards sustainable development. However, it was
mentioned in past workshops of this Project that a simplified guide to aid in the process of
mainstreaming hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment in KV physical framework is
needed. Basic steps should be proposed to follow the model for risk sensitive physical
framework planning (land use planning) at the KV level or the periodic plan must be
enhanced.
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Annex 1: Delivarable 1: Risk-Sensitive Land Use
Plan Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
Report on
Enhancement Capacities of Five Municipalities
Technical Services for Strengthening
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and
Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal
Deliverable 1: Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan Kathmandu
Metropolitan City, Nepal
Submitted to:
UNDP Nepal
-
Prepared by:
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative
National Society for Earthquake
Technology-Nepal (NSET)
December 9, 2011
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
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Permission to use this document is granted provided that the use of document or parts thereof
is for educational, informational, and non-commercial or personal use only.
Recommended citation:
Opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
those of the participating agencies and organizations.
This project is partially funded by the United Nations Development Programme-Nepal under
the Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Program.
For Further information on this project contact:
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
P.O.Box:13775, Sainbu V.D.C. Ward No. 4,
Bhainsepati Residence Area, Lalitpur, Nepal
Tel:(977-1) 5591000, 5592522, 5593000, Fax (977-1) 5592692, 5592693
E-mail: nset@nset.org.np, Website: www.nset.org.np
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
Report on
Enhancement Capacities of Five Municipalities
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A number of institutions and individuals supported and contributed to the completion of the
Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan of Kathmandu City.
The Project Working Committee is grateful for the valuable time, ideas and resources
invested by the following entities in support of the project:
The participants of the Review and Feedback Workshop on Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan
(RSLUP) of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Workshop or simply Workshop 1 as listed in
Annex A, for the meaningful contribution in revising the RSLUP of 2010.
The United Nations Development Programme Nepal (UNDP-NEPAL) for the financial
support which made this RSLUP review exercises and consolidation possible in 2011;
The KMC Council, Executive Offices and Departments for their commitment, cooperation
and strong participation, especially the Mayor‟s Office, Urban Development Department,
Physical Development and Construction Department, Public Health and Social Development
Department, Legal Department, and Economic Management Department;
The Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee for their relevant comments and
guidance;
The Ministry Officials and related departments for taking time in providing valuable inputs
and suggestions on the initial drafts of this land use plan;
The National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) for the continued
coordination and technical assistance towards the crafting of the RSLUP;
The German Federal Foreign Affairs Office through the Deutsches Komitee
Katastrophenvorsorge for the financial support and technical assistance of Earthquakes and
Megacities Initiative towards the crafting the preliminary RSLUP in 2010;
The various persons from different institutions and organizations for their comments during
the Workshops (Annex);
The Project Working Committee appreciates the contribution of these individuals and
organizations. Sincere apologies are extended to those we might have inadvertently failed to
thank in this document.
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PREFACE
The past few years have reminded us that disasters affect anyplace and anyone. Recent
tragedies such as the earthquakes that struck Indonesia (2006), China (2007), Haiti (2010),
Chile (2010) and the massive flooding that hit the Philippines and Vietnam (2009) have left
thousands of people dead and injured, not to mention tremendous losses in livelihoods,
properties, and resources and millions of people left homeless.
Acting on the premise that disasters are best avoided through disaster risk reduction (DRR),
governments from around the world adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) at the
2005 World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan. The HFA called on national
governments to substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015 through concrete actions in five
priority areas, to wit:
1. Make DRR a priority by ensuring that it is a national and local priority through efficient
legal and institutional mechanisms;
2. Know the risks and take action by identifying, assessing and monitoring risks leading to
an effective warning system;
3. Build understanding and awareness through knowledge, innovation and education to
build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels;
4. Reduce the underlying risk factors by ensuring that exposure to hazards, vulnerabilities of
people and their places and resources are protected and safe, thus resulting in resilient
communities; and
5. Be prepared and ready to act by strengthening the disaster preparedness for effective
response at all levels.
Since then, land use planning has been identified as one of the most effective ways to take the
HFA forward. For highly vulnerable cities like Kathmandu, a land use plan offers an
opportunity to incorporate risk reduction into development and spatial plans by engaging the
government at various levels, private sector, civil society, international development
organizations, and other key stakeholders (e.g. academe, media, private sector, etc.). The land
use planning process helps the city address its need to reduce disaster risks as part of its
pursuit for sustainable development.
This consolidated RSLUP is a product of activities undertaken under the UNDP Nepal
project, Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme Strengthening Risk Sensitive
Land Use Planning and Implementation in Nepal (RSLUP).
The crafting of the original document started under the financial support of The German
Federal Foreign Affairs Office through the Deutsches Komitee Katastrophenvorsorge which
made this land use planning exercise possible in 2010.
The 2010 RSLUP Report (June 2008-January 2010) was originally submitted by EMI to
DKKV and FFO. In February 2010; copies of which may be requested from EMI or any of
the project‟s partner organizations.
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PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE PEER REVIEW OF THE
CONSOLIDATED KMC RSLUP
Kathmandu Metropolitan City
Mr. Ganesh Rai-Former Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Devendra Dangol - Division Head, Urban Development Department
Dr. Uttar Regmi - Chief Disaster Management Section,
Mr. Narayan Bhattarai, Eng. - Division Chief,
Dr. B.R.Gautam - Department Chief,
Mr. Bimal Rijal- Technical Advisor to Executive Officer
Mr. Narendra Man - Engineer
Mr. Rabin Man Shrestha - Division Chief
Mr. Ram Bir Manandhar, Political representatives, UML (Unified Marxist Lenenist)
Mr. Bir Bahadur Lama, Political representatives, ML (Marx Lenenist)
Mr. Dev Ratna Dangol, Political representatives, NC (Nepali Congress)
Mr. Bhagawan Shakya, Political representative,NC (Nepali Congress)
Mr.Sarada Dangol
Mr.Reshma Shrestha - Jr. Engineer
Mr.Shankha Narayan Shrestha - DDG
Mr.Shanta Ram Pokharel - Department Chief
Mr.Rujju P Pradhanaga- Finance Department
Mr.Narendra Raj Shrestha - CPC
Mr.Lina Shrestha - Technical
Mr.Hikmat Singh Kayastha - Jr. Engineer
Mr. Bir Bhdr Khadka – Engineer,
Mr. Bhagawan
Mr.Phatta Bhdr.Gurung - Jr. Engineer
Mr.Bhairab Bogati - Urban Planner
Mr.Hari Kunwar - Senior Officer
Mr. Suraj Shakya - S. Architect
Mr.Nirmal Bhattarai - Jr. Engineer
Mr.Sushil Chapagain - Junior engineer
Mr.Bir Bahadur Karki - Engineer
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Mr. Hikmat Sing Kathayaat,
Mr.Chandra Man
Mr.Kamal Babu Shrestha - Engineer
Mr.Sanat Kumar Thapa
Mr.Ramhari Phuyal – Engineer
Mr. Brishtish Singh
Mr.Ram Thapa – Engineer,
Mr.Subha Risal - Junior engineer,
Ms.Dimple Shrestha - Junior engineer,
Mr.Niranjan Poudel
Mr.Shyam Prasad Mainali
Mr.Shankhar Ram Kadel - CPCC Chief
Mr.Indra man Singh Suwal - Chief BD
Mr.Archana Shrestha - Division Chief
Mr.Roshan Shrestha - Architect
Mr.Gambhirlal Shrestha - Engineer
Mr.Manoj Singh Suwal - Sr. Eng
Mr.Vidhya Neupane – Political Representative
Mr.Dhanapati Sapkota - Inspector
Mr.Rabindra Poudel - Division Chief
Mr. Umesh Sthapit
Ms. Dipina Sharma
Mr.Narendra man Bajracharya
Mr. Kamal Babu Shrestha
Mr.Dinesh Kumar Aryal,Insp,
Mr.Balaram Tripathi,Sr.Adm.Officer,
Mr.Gajendra Bhdr Karki,
Mr. Namraj Dhakal,Sr.Account Officer
Professional Societies and Academia
Mr. Umesh Malla,RUPSON
Mr. Hari darshan Shrestha,IOE
Mr.Sanjeeb Regmi SCAEF
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
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Mr.Jishnu Subedi IOE
Mr.Gaurav Sagar Dawadi, Genesis consultancy
Dr. Santosh Shrestha, CoRd
Mr/Ms.Kanchana Nyaichya CoRd/IOE
Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee
Mr. Ashok Nath Upreti - Member Secretary
Dr. Bhaikaji Tiwari - Town Controller
Mr Karuna Ratna Shakya – SD Engineer, Project Chief Ichangu Narayan Land Pooling
Project
Mr. Ram Prasad Shrestha - Engineer
Ministries and Related Departments of the Government of Nepal
Mr. Reshmi Raj Pandey- Joint secretary, Ministry of Local Development
Mr. Suresh Prakash Acharya-Joint Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Public Works
Mr. Mahendra Subba- Director General, Urban Development Division, Department of Urban
Development and Building Construction, Ministry of Planning and Public Works
Mr. G.P Gorkhali- Deputy Director General, Housing Division, Department of Urban
Development and Building Construction, Ministry of Planning and Public Works
Mr. Deepak Shrestha,- Senior Divisional Engineer, Chief of Disaster Management Section,
Department of Urban Development and Building Construction
Mr. Govinda Bdr.Karki – Under secretary, Ministry of Local Development
Mr. Binod Singh – Under secretary, Ministry of Local Development
Mr.Saroj Kumar Goit- SDE, MOPPW
Mr. Sagar Mishra,- Under secretary, MOHA
Municipalities and VDCs
Mr. Ram Kumar Dhakal - Engineer, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City
Mr. Rudra Gautam – SE, LSMP
Mr. Satya Narayan Sah - Senior Engineer, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality
Mr. Umesh Sthapit - Social Worker
Maoist
Mr. Ram Govinda Shrestha- Architect,BMC
National Society for Earthquake Technology - Nepal
Mr. Shiva Bdr Pradhananga - President
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Dr. Amod Dixit - Executive Director
Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe –Task Manager, Chief Adviser
Mr. Ganesh Kumar Jimee - Program Manager
Mr. Ramesh Guragain – Director, NSET
Ms. Bhubaneswari Parajuli - Society, Gender Environment Management Specialist
Ms. Shamjhana Sharma-Civil Engineer
Mr. Ichha Parajuli - Photographer
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative
Dr. Eng. Fouad Bendimerad - Project Director and DRR Expert
Mr. Jerome B. Zayas - Project Manager
Dr. Renan Tanhueco - Urban and Regional Land Use Planning Expert
Ms. Zenaida Tejerero- Operations Coordinator
Mr. Moses Kent B. Borinaga - Project Coordinator
Mr. Leigh Lingad - GIS Specialist
Ms. Joyce Lyn Salunat - Land Use Planning Specialist
Mr. Jose Mari Daclan - Knowledge Manager
Mr. Jerome Cruz - Knowledge Management Specialist
Mr. Jesus Dominic Dizon - Training Specialist
UNDP-Nepal
Mr.Om D. Rajopadhyaya, Consultant UNDP
Expert Panel for Peer Review
Suraj Shakya - Architect, KMC
Bir Bahadur Karki - Engineer, KMC
Bir Bdr Khadka - Engineer, KMC
Narayan Babu Bhattarai- Division Chief, KMC
Rudra Gautam - Division Chief, LSMC
Dr. Santosh Shrestha - T Director, CORD
Hari Darshan Shrestha - Associate Prof, IOE/CORD
Deepak Shrestha - SDE, DUDBC
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Karuna Ratna Shakya - SDE, KVTDC
Devendra Dangol - Dept. Head, KMC
Dr. Uttar Regmi - Div. Eng, KMC
Naresh Giri - PO, UNDP
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CONTENTS
Annex 1:
Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan Kathmandu Metropolitan City,
Nepal ................................................................................................ 6
Acknowledgement.................................................................................................... 9
Preface
....................................................................................................... 10
People Involved in the Peer Review of the Consolidated KMC RSLUP ............. 11
List of Acronyms .................................................................................................... 21
Extended Summary ................................................................................................ 24
About the Project ................................................................................................... 34
1.1
Planning and Mandates Approach ............................................................... 37
1.1.1
Rationale for Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning for Kathmandu City ...........37
1.1.2
Legal Mandate for Plan Formulation ..............................................................39
1.1.3
Planning Structures, Practices, and Types of Land Use Plans .....................51
1.1.4
Planning Frameworks ....................................................................................52
1.1.5
Continuing Efforts on Mainstreaming .............................................................61
1.1.6
Challenges .....................................................................................................63
1.1.7
Outputs ...........................................................................................................63
1.1.8
Limitations of the Consolidated Plan..............................................................63
1.1.9
Contents of the consolidated RSLUP draft ....................................................65
1.1.10 Sectoral Profile of Kathmandu City ................................................................65
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
Study Area ................................................................................................... 69
1.2.1
Location and Land Area .................................................................................69
1.2.2
General Hazards and Associated Risks ........................................................69
Vision ........................................................................................................... 74
1.3.1
Vision Statement ............................................................................................74
1.3.2
Vision Elements, Descriptors and Success Indicators...................................74
Issues, Problems and Development Directions ............................................ 78
1.4.1
City Context....................................................................................................78
1.4.2
Development Issues, Problems and Constraints ...........................................79
1.4.3
Disaster Risk Assessment .............................................................................80
1.4.4
Goals, Objectives and Targets.....................................................................123
1.4.5
Implications of Risks on Goals, Objective and Targets ...............................123
1.4.6
Development of Spatial Strategies...............................................................124
1.4.7
Development Opportunities .........................................................................125
1.4.8
Risk Reduction Strategies among Development Strategies ........................126
Towards a Preferred Urban Form .............................................................. 136
1.5.1
Demand-Supply Balancing of Land Requirements ......................................136
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1.6
1.7
1.5.2
A Risk-Sensitive Plan ...................................................................................157
1.5.3
The Preferred Urban Form ...........................................................................158
1.5.4
The Growth Areas and Corridors within Kathmandu City ............................165
1.5.5
Built-up Areas outside the Growth Centers/Corridors ..................................172
1.5.6
Protected Areas ...........................................................................................172
1.5.7
Heritage Areas .............................................................................................173
1.5.8
Infrastructure Support Systems ...................................................................174
1.5.9
Evaluating the Preferred Urban Form ..........................................................177
KMC Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan ........................................................... 183
1.6.1
Proposed Land Use Distribution in KMC .....................................................184
1.6.2
Land Use Policy Framework ........................................................................186
Zoning Ordinance ...................................................................................... 209
1.7.1
Kathmandu Metropolitan City: An Ordinance Adopting a Risk-Sensitive Land
Use Plan, Zoning and Building By-Laws ......................................................209
1.7.2
Part I: General Guidelines/Principles/Procedures .......................................213
1.7.3
Part 2: Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan ..........................................................229
1.7.4
Part 3: Risk-Sensitive Land Use Policy Framework ....................................229
1.7.5
Part 4: Land Subdivision And Assembly Regulations ..................................230
1.7.6
Part 5: Land Usubdivision and Assembly Regulations ................................231
1.7.7
PART 5: BUILDING REGULATIONS ..........................................................235
1.7.8
Legal and Institutional Arrangements ..........................................................241
1.8
Conclusion and Future Works .................................................................... 242
1.9
SOURCES ................................................................................................. 248
1.10
References ................................................................................................ 249
ANNEXES 253
Annex I.
List of Participants of Workshop 1 ...............................................................................253
Annex II.
Peer Review ................................................................................................................255
Annex III.
Annex C. Data Collected for the Sectoral Profile ........................................................261
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1-1:
Table 1-2:
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Table 1-32:
Table 1-33:
Table 1-34:
Table 1-35:
Table 1-36:
Policies and Plans on Land Use................................................................... 51
Risk Information Used in the Study .............................................................. 54
Summary of KMC Sectoral Profile ................................................................ 66
Lives Lost Due to Different Disasters ........................................................... 70
Kathmandu City at a Glance ........................................................................ 78
Table 2.1 Social and Human Vulnerability of Municipalities in Kathmandu
Valley ........................................................................................................... 91
Human population death and other losses due to different natural disasters in
Kathmandu City, Kathmandu, 1971-2011 .................................................. 104
Sources of Drinking Water ......................................................................... 110
Population Receiving Drinking Water ......................................................... 110
Vehicle Registration in Bagmati Zone, 1998-2006...................................... 113
Annual Increase in Public Transport Units in Bagmati Zone, 2001-2006 .... 114
Population and Settlements ....................................................................... 127
Physical Resources ................................................................................... 127
Economy .................................................................................................... 131
Incomes and Services ................................................................................ 132
Land Use and Physical Framework ............................................................ 134
Land Use Distribution in Hectares, 2006 .................................................... 137
Assumptions in Estimating Capacity of Residential Land ........................... 138
Estimates of Projected Population against FAR-Based Capacities of
Residential Areas ....................................................................................... 140
Land Use Demand Projections, 2020 ......................................................... 142
Traffic Analysis Zone Description ............................................................... 146
Comparison of Zoning Systems ................................................................. 147
Development Scenarios, 2015 and 2020 ................................................... 148
Change in V/C Ratio for Scenario 1 ........................................................... 152
Change in V/C Ratio for Scenario 2 ........................................................... 154
Land Use Distribution for the Proposed Plan by Zone ................................ 185
Development Controls for Commercial Areas ............................................ 189
Development Controls for Dense Mixed Residential Sub-zone .................. 191
Development Controls for Residential Sub-zone ........................................ 191
Development Controls for Mixed Old Residential Sub-zone ....................... 192
Development Controls for Commercial Use in the Core ............................. 192
Proposed Land Use Interventions .............................................................. 196
Minimum width of ROWs serving access to residential plots and parcels ... 231
Standard ROW‟s for access to non-residential plots and parcels ............... 231
The Minimum Height, Area and Dimensions of Rooms. ............................. 238
Minimum dimension of stairs in centimeter................................................. 240
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LIST OF FIGURES
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Institutional Framework for Planning, Nepal ................................................. 50
Figure 2.1 Framework for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction .............. 53
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning Framework for KMC ............................... 53
Organization of the Project Working Committee ........................................... 58
Figure 2.2 Location Map .............................................................................. 69
Geographic Distribution of Recent Major Disasters ...................................... 70
Average return time for various levels of earthquake intensities in Nepla and
Kathmandu .................................................................................................. 71
Figure 2.3 Epicentral Distribution around Nepal, 1255 to 2001..................... 72
Pictures showing the type of vulnerable construction in Kathmandu as well as
the high density of buildings and population (Source: EMI) .......................... 73
Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning Framework for KMC ............................... 79
Seismic Intensity Map .................................................................................. 81
Liquefaction Potential Map ........................................................................... 81
Zoom-in of Liquefaction-Prone Areas along Bagmati ................................... 82
Scenario Earthquake Fault Mode ................................................................. 82
Administrative Boundaries and Locality Classification .................................. 84
The Five Sectors of Kathmandu City ............................................................ 85
Urban Place - The General Urban and Rural Settings .................................. 85
Population Densities in Ward and VDC, 1999 .............................................. 86
Social Issues and Concerns: High Rate of Migration .................................... 87
Building Damage Distribution, 1934 Earthquake .......................................... 90
Figure 2.4 Building Damage Distribution in KMC, Mid-Nepal Earthquake
Scenario ...................................................................................................... 93
Figure 2.5 KMC Building Materials Inventory ............................................... 94
Figure 2.6 Building Damage Distribution at the Core Area, Mid-Nepal
Earthquake Scenario ................................................................................... 95
Figure 2.7 Death Toll Density, Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario ................... 96
Figure 2.8 Death Toll Density near the Core Area, Mid-Nepal Earthquake ... 97
Figure 2.9 Distribution of Severely and Moderately Injured Map, Mid-Nepal
Earthquake Scenario ................................................................................... 98
Figure 2.10 Enlarged Image of Distribution of Severely and Moderately
Injured, Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario...................................................... 99
Figure 2.11The River Systems in Kathmandu Valley ................................. 101
Disaster Management-related Issues and Concerns in KMC‟s Urban
Development Process ................................................................................ 109
Bridge Damage Distribution, Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario ................... 115
Strategic Road Network ............................................................................. 116
Location of Critical Facilities ....................................................................... 117
Social Issues and Concerns: Poor Quality of Education ............................. 118
Social Issues and Concerns: Increasing Crime Rate .................................. 119
Social Issues and Concerns: High Unemployment ..................................... 120
Institutional Issues and Concerns: Weak Institutional Arrangement/Capacity
.................................................................................................................. 121
Concentration of Business Establishments in KMC .................................... 122
Kathmandu Valley Land Use Zoning Map, 2007 ........................................ 143
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Land Use Zoning Map, 2008 ....................... 144
Business-as-usual V/C Ratio at Peak Hour Condition, 2015 ...................... 150
Business-as-usual V/C Ratio at Peak Hour Condition, 2020 ...................... 151
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Figure 1-42:
Figure 1-43:
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V/C Ratio for Scenario 2, 2015................................................................... 156
Development Sites Eyed within KMC ......................................................... 159
Site A: Conservation Area and Highly Dense Mixed Residential Areas ...... 160
Site F: River Side Areas ............................................................................. 161
Site E and G: Open Space Initiatives, Green Belt, New Town Sites ........... 162
Overview of New Settlement areas in the Kathmandu Valley ..................... 163
Overview of New Settlement Areas in Kathmandu Valley .......................... 164
The Central and Core Areas ...................................................................... 166
Indicative Location of the Proposed Commercial Strip ............................... 167
The East Sector Growth Corridors ............................................................. 169
North Sector Residential Growth Area ....................................................... 171
West Sector Residential Growth Area ........................................................ 172
Escape Route Planning North of Core ....................................................... 175
Escape Route Planning Around Core......................................................... 176
Escape Route Planning South of Core ....................................................... 177
KMC Proposed Land Use Map................................................................... 181
Min. standards for Access Roads............................................................... 232
Design standards for access roads ............................................................ 232
Design standards for plot development ...................................................... 234
Dimensional standards for provision of day light in a room ......................... 239
Suggested Tasks and Timeline for Future Work ........................................ 248
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LIST OF ACRONYMS
ADPC
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center
ADB
Asian Development Bank
BAP
Bagmati Action Plan
BASP
Bagmati Authority and Sewerage Plan
BCHLC
Bagmati Civilization High Level Committee
BM
Bhaktapur Municipality
CBD
Central Business District
CBOs
Central Business Organizations
CDS
City Development Strategy
DDC
District Development Committee
DDO
District Development Office
DDRC
District Disaster Relief Committee
DKKV
Deutsches Komitee Katastrophenvorsorge
DLRM
Department of Land Reform and Management
DOR
Department of Road
DOS
Department of Survey
DoTM
Department of Transport Management
DRA
Disaster Risk Assessment
DRM
Disaster Risk Management
DRMMP
Disaster Risk Management Master Plan
DRR
Disaster Risk Reduction
DUDBC
Department of Urban Development and Building Construction
EMI
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative
FAR
Floor Area Ratio
FFO
German Federal Foreign Affairs Office
GIS
Geographical Information System
GoN
Government of Nepal
GTZ
German Technical Cooperation
ICIMOD
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
IEC
Information and Education Campaign
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IMP
Integrated Master Plan
INGO
International Non-government Organizations
IT
Information Technology
IWO
Implementation Work Output
JICA
Japan International Cooperation Agency
KMC
Kathmandu Metropolitan City
KUKL
Kathmandu Upatyaka Limited
KVERMP
Kathmandu Valley Earthquake Risk Management Project
KVTDC
Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee
LSGA
Local Self Governance Act
LSMC
Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City
MMI
Modified Mercalli Intensity
MOC
Memorandum of Cooperation
MoEST
Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology
MOHA
Ministry of Home Affairs
MOLD
Ministry of Local Development
MOLRM
Ministry of Land Reform and Management
MoPPW
Ministry of Physical Planning and Works
MRF
Material Recovery Facility
M-TM
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality
NAPA
National Adaptation Programme of Action to Climate Change
NGA
Non-Governmental Agency
NGO
Non-governmental Organization
NSDRM
National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management
NSET
National Society for Earthquake Technology
NWSC
Nepal Water Supply Corporation
PDC
Pacific Disaster Center
PEER
Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response
PO
People‟s Organization
PWC
Project Working Committee
RSLUP
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning
UDD
Urban Development Department
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UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
VDC
Village Development Committee
WB
World Bank
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EXTENDED SUMMARY
This initial consolidation of Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan (RSLUP) for KMC is a
continuation of efforts by KMC, Nepal Government Ministries and departments(i.e. MOHA,
MOPPW, MOLD, DUDBC, and KVTDC), and by scientific organizations such as NSET and
EMI with financial support from UNDP-Nepal. It presents a reviewed RSLUP document
which was crafted in 2010. The development of the RSLUP received the backing and support
of public officials from within KMC, as well as from other ministries and agencies of the
Government of Nepal (GoN). The current outcome benefitted from inputs and comments of
stakeholder and expert reviewers, KMC local officials, and representatives of relevant
ministries, in particular the Ministry of Local Development (MOLD), Ministry of Home
Affairs (MOHA), and the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MOPPW) through its
concerned agencies, namely, the Department of Urban Development and Building
Construction (DUDBC) and the Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee
(KVTDC). Prior to this project, it also received inputs from various development partners in
Nepal through a series of consultations and workshops that took place during October to
December 2009. These included the United Nations Development Programme-Nepal (UNDPNepal), United Nations-Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA),
Asian Development Bank (ADB), German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA), and City Development Initiative of Asia (CDIA).
The deliverable for this particular project is a reviewed and consolidated Risk-Sensitive Land
Use Plan 2020 (10 yenars).
The Sectoral Profile crafted in 2010 provides a compendium of data and information on the
physical, social, economic, cultural, infrastructure, environmental, and institutional
characteristics of the city, including its disaster risk landscape, which can serve as a chief
source of information for planning, research, investments, decision-making, and other uses.
This RSLUP is a ten-year guide (2010-2020) for realizing KMC‟s desired spatial pattern of
development, with due consideration to the city‟s seismic risks, emergency response and
disaster management capabilities, through different land use policies and urban renewal
schemes.
The current RSLUP builds on previous and existing land use plans, land use maps and land
use-related programs of the government, as well as policies, initiatives and studies in disaster
risk management (DRM) that affect Kathmandu, such as the Earthquake Disaster Mitigation
in the Kathmandu Valley undertaken by JICA in 2002, the Preparation of Flood Risk and
Vulnerability Map of the Kathmandu Valley, the National Adaptation Programme of Action
to Climate Change (NAPA) prepared by the Ministry of Environment, and to a limited extent
fire hazard risks based on DesInventar database by NSET-Nepal. The RSLUP explicitly
incorporates assessments and projections for transportation and traffic management in the
future. It also includes strategies and actions that prescribe reasonable limits and restraints on
the use of property through proposed zoning regulations and other local ordinances and
control mechanisms for development within the city. It is intended to serve as a guide for
engaging in historical preservation, infrastructure development (e.g. transport, utilities,
facilities, etc.); regulating housing settlements and open space, reclassifying agricultural lands
into non-agricultural uses; and integrating risk reduction & emergency management through
its strategies, programs, projects and activities (PPAs). It covers the entire territorial
jurisdiction of KMC.
The Draft Zoning Ordinance is meant to serve as the principal instrument for enforcing the
locational policies and performance standards of the RSLUP. Once the zoning ordinance is
enacted, further land development must be aligned with what is stipulated in the RSLUP.
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While this consolidated RSLUP provides a clear framework to guide the city‟s future
development and succeeds in getting further reviews and refinements, it is still constrained
by the following limitations: (a) some of the data used has not been fully qualified and may
need further verification and updating with new census information; (b) the financial
implications of proposed programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) have not been evaluated;
(c) the process of adoption, implementation and enforcement of the RSLUP has not been fully
engaged, though endorsement for adoption had been strong in the final review; (d) the
understanding of the RSLUP by the national and international agencies (beyond KMC and
NSET) has been limited; and (e) the awareness campaigns, advocacy, and capacity building
efforts are still on-going efforts. These limitations are due to the lack of financial resources
and the limited timeframe allocated to the current project. The land use plan relied largely on
secondary information derived from previous studies by KMC, KVTDC and government
ministries. One major difficulty encountered was the necessity of relying on risk assessment
results prepared in 2002, which focused on earthquake hazards only. Data on other hazards
(e.g., flood, landslides, fire, climate change impacts and others) were improved with new
readily available materials. These shortcomings are proposed to be addressed in a future
phase of the project. In addition, the implications of existing or planned projects (e.g. ongoing
riverside development, proposed parking, and new roads) by development agencies were less
studied and not fully incorporated in this RSLUP.
Also, while the RSLUP includes a reviewed list of proposed PPAs (Programs, Projects and
Activities) in the different development sectors, the information on the financial performance
of KMC, as well as the potential sources of funding for various projects, were not fully
addressed due to constraints in budget and time. At the end of this document, a set of future
activities is outlined to complete and improve this RSLUP. This version of the RSLUP should
be considered as a working document and not a comprehensive land use plan.
In the 2nd validation workshop held in Dec. 8, 2011, stakeholder participants from KMC and
its local political representatives; from Nepal Government Ministries and Departments
endorsed the RSLUP towards the legal process of adoption and implementation. The
participants; however, have strong recommendations to highlight or include in the plan, the
following:

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





Financial plan for priority programs, projects and activities;
An extension of RSLUP to Kathmandu Valley and throughout Nepal;
Preservation of vacant lands with focus on the following wherever possible;
- Promotion of low cost housing
- Housing for the urban poor
Identified priorities or focus on plan;
Alternative use of flood plain and open spaces for urban agriculture/greenery;
Promotion of climate and earthquake resilient construction materials;
Subsidies for alternative energy and rainwater harvesting and ground water recharge
system.
Strengthening of Emergency Management for KMC
In the same workshop, a set of priority programs, projects and activities were agreed upon
which were drawn from the list of proposed PPAs in the RSLUP. To improve the chances of
success for the preferred urban form, multi hazard maps at macro level (i.e. Kathmandu
Valley) and “updated” land use information and map were proposed to be prepared. This is to
ensure a holistic planning of KMC, Municipalities and VDCs within the Kathmandu Valley;
thus, aiding stakeholders to make better decisions.
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The priority PPAs suggested for implementation within the next five years, were following:

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Protected Areas
- An inventory of public lands should be prepared. Available areas should be
identified and planned for the use & benefit of majority, as well as, for emergency
relief;
- A Vision and plan for the City River Corridor (2050) should be prepared;
- Detailed planning for restoration, preservation and rehabilitation of heritage sites.
Production areas
- A disaster management plan;
- An urban renewal program;
- A Social and environmental impact assessment of industrial areas;
Infrastructural areas
- Common PPAs for public and private schools and SPED;
- A Safe Hospitals program;
- Vulnerability assessment and retrofitting of buildings with other safety measures for
public assembly areas.
Transport and infrastructure areas
- Vulnerability assessment of critical infrastructures and implement program to
mitigate risk.
Economic Infrastructure
- Listing of existing markets;
- Rehabilitation and modernization of Public markets.
With regards to the use of the mainstreaming framework and approach for the risk sensitive
land use planning in Kathmandu Valley, the stakeholder‟s offered the following
recommendations:
1. Prioritization of activities and implementation as a pilot program.(Sharing of
strength/weakness to other VDC‟s/Municipalities)
2. Study of Kathmandu valley in relation to RSLUP.
3. Prepare the Kathmandu Valley Land Use Framework & Plan ( which includes the five (5)
Municipalities and surrounding VDC‟s )
4. Inclusion of revised versions in document reviews prior to formulation of KV RSLUP
- Kathmandu Valley Vision 2020 (2002)
- Kathmandu Valley Plans and Programs
- IUCN documents
- RSLUP update 2007
5. KVTDC should develop RSLUP of Kathmandu Valley.
The structure and summary of this report is provided below. The document covers eight
chapters with annexes on list of participants of Workshop 1, document reviews and
proceedings of meetings conducted as part of the planning exercise.
Chapter 1, Planning Mandates and Approach, provides the rationale for risk-sensitive land
use planning and gives an introduction of the planning mandates and key policies and plans
that are relevant to land use planning in Nepal. It presents a summary of the mandates of
national, regional and municipal planning authorities and directives from the various
ministries. The chapter also discusses planning and mainstreaming frameworks and the
overall mechanism of integrating elements of DRR in KMC‟s planning process. It provides
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contents and limitation of the RSLUP. The chapter ends with the summary of KMC‟s Sectoral
Profile.
Chapter 2, The Study Area, provides a summary of the geography, hazards, and socioeconomic conditions of the city. It draws information mainly from the Sectoral Profile to
provide the initial context of the planning.
Chapter 3, Vision, presents the outputs of the visioning exercise held in July 2009 in
Kathmandu City. It includes the description and elaboration of the measures of success for
various vision elements, as prepared by local stakeholders. In general, the city‟s vision
emphasizes beauty, safety, tourism, health, green living, robust economy, and resilient local
governance.
Chapter 4, Development Issues and Problems, summarizes the challenges and opportunities
that could bring KMC closer to the realization of its vision. Among the pressing development
concerns identified include congestion in the city core and sprawling development at the
periphery, inadequate housing and urban facilities, unregulated industrial and residential
expansion, poor income, and high physical vulnerability. Socio-economic concerns include
the loss of cultural heritage, ineffective education policy, decreasing performance of
industries, and weak institutional capacities. Further the chapter emphasizes earthquake risk
and its impacts, represented by a M8.0 Mid-Nepal Earthquake scenario which could
potentially produce a level of intensity of IX as measured by the Modified Mercalli Intensity
Scale MMI.1 Such scenario is expected to heavily damage 53,000 buildings and result in
18,000 deaths and 53,000 injured persons within Kathmandu Valley. However, these
estimates are based on census data from 1991. Since then, the population of the Kathmandu
Valley has just about doubled and the density has significantly increased, thus increasing the
physical and social vulnerability of the city. The actual losses could be several times greater
than these projections.
Along Bagmati River, eight areas were identified to be hazard prone where residents nearby
the Bagmati River experienced flood problems in the past and included frequent damages to
houses, agriculture lands and other properties.
The 2006 flood in Bishnumati River had damaged the houses, agricultural land, infrastructure
(bridges), roads, religious places (e.g. temples) and the Gumba. The number of vulnerable
houses is six (6) in Gongabu-3 (Bis-soc 2) and ten (10) in Gongabu-4 (Bis-soc 3). Around 15
ropanis of residential land and 145 ropanis of agricultural lands were vulnerable to flooding
impact in these two locations. There had been significant damage to crops in the past.
The upper reaches of Dhobi Khola are having some problems related to bank cutting,
inundation. However, the vulnerability at lower reaches is mostly due to the settlement in the
river floodplain.
Based from a summary of disasters within Kathmandu City from a 40 year record (19712011), fire events (603 events) rank first in terms of number of deaths, injured persons and in
terms of damage losses to built up areas among the hazards. With forest fires included, it
gives a picture that fire fighting capacity in KMC should be prioritized. Floods appear to
1
Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) is a conventional empirical measure of the severity of the earthquake shaking at a site based
on observed damage. It should not be confused with the magnitude of an earthquake which is a measure of the energy
released by the earthquake at its source.
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affect lesser numbers of people and very few had been recorded to die from floods; however,
it leads flood hazard in terms of building damages.
Negative impacts of Climate change may be expected. The dense and unsafely built urban
environments form the reasons for climate vulnerability. Continued loss of pervious space
through uncontrolled densification and loss of open space increases urban run-off. These
remaining open spaces are incrementally reduced, and hence, potential areas for evacuation
during major disasters become scarce over the years.
On physical and environment issues, the following are highlighted: shortage of habitable land
against an increasing demand for urban land, continuing loss of public open space,
conversion of agricultural lands, fragmentation of land parcels arising from inheritance
activities, backlogs in infrastructure development, declining water supply against increasing
demands, poor wastewater collection and treatment, deterioration of heritage sites and
environmental deterioration, air pollution, electrical power shortages, open dumping of solid
wastes, traffic congestion with decreasing capacities, and structural risks to old buildings
specially those made of brick and mortar. Lack of facilities maintenance similarly contributes
to higher estimates of damage in the core and adjoining wards.
In terms of infrastructure, several bridges are likely to be heavily damaged, closing most of
the access points in and out of KMC. The same earthquake study in Kathmandu Valley
estimated that more than 10 percent of road length will be damaged and more than 50 percent
of bridges will be impassable if an earthquake with intensity IX hit Kathmandu Valley.
Almost all bridges connecting to the international airport are at risk. As most of them have
neither been replaced nor retrofitted, implications for damage and consequent disruption
remain substantial. However, the project did not have the resources and time to improve on
existing data.
The public transportation system of KMC is characterized by the dominance of lowoccupancy vehicles namely, three-wheelers, microbuses and taxis. Furthermore, the low
quality of the existing public transport system drives the increasing ownership and use of
private transport, particularly private cars and motorcycles. This situation has contributed to
serious traffic congestion, air pollution and low energy efficiency. Hence, there is a need to
improve traffic circulation within the central and core areas. Pedestrianization is
important in the core area and supports redevelopment of the heritage site areas. Through
traffic into the city must similarly be improved and several plans are already proposed to
the Government of Nepal with support by development partners and donors.
Traffic scenarios developed by reducing trips in the Core Area, that is, by transferring part of
its population to the eastern or western areas of the city, revealed that such action only
transfers the traffic elsewhere within its boundaries. Hence, it is suggested that decongestion
may likely be achieved if future population be directed outside of Kathmandu City and
towards the Valley boundaries. An identification of possible sites is suggested in this RSLUP,
but requires further studies on their availability and suitability, and the resultant traffic
between municipalities and VDCs. A Valley-wide transport study was suggested to reveal the
dynamics of this movement and identify the needed infrastructures and policies, the
implications of hazards (e.g. flooding, landslides, ground shaking, and liquefaction) and their
related risks on the proposed new development sites, the transport system proposed, and the
resulting emergency scenarios that need to be identified and evaluated. The appropriate risk
reduction measures should then be integrated into future land use plans or investment projects
not just for Kathmandu City but for the entire Valley.
The chapter similarly suggests a list of mutually reinforcing risk reduction and development
strategies such as (a) restricting or discouraging new structures in high-risk areas (Core Area);
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(b) providing economic incentives to discourage development in high-risk areas; (c) use of
land pooling experiences by KMC; (d) relocating occupants in high risk-buildings; (e)
protection of critical facilities; and (f) encouraging government and private sector to observe
building bylaws and zoning regulations (g) addressing climate change using the National
Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) to Climate Change. These strategies are further
listed in Tables 4.7-4.11.
Chapter 5, Towards a Preferred Urban Form, discusses the preferred urban form as the
organizing concept for guiding the physical growth of KMC. It indicates the initial bases and
considerations for deciding on an alternative strategy. In the absence of an updated inventory
on characteristics of residential buildings (i.e. floor area ratio (FAR), percent area occupation
of buildings), assumptions were made to check theoretically if future residential areas in each
ward having a FAR of 2 and 50 percent occupancy were sufficient to house its future
residential population (based on projections). Based on this, results of the projection are as
follows:
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In the East sector, the projected population by 2015 or 2020 cannot be accommodated by
its own allotted residential areas. Wards 7, 34 and 35 are likely to remain congested, even
if the FAR is doubled. Wards 8, 9 and 10 have enough space to accommodate their own
populations, but this is likely to be exceeded in 2020.
In the Central sector, Wards 5 and 31 can accommodate the population projected in 2015
but it is unlikely that they will be able to do so in 2020. Wards 11 and 32 will remain
congested, and raising the FAR may be questionable at this time without further
information on ground conditions and allowable height restrictions from microzonation
studies. Wards 1 and 33 can accommodate a larger population and may be possible for
densification.
In the North, even if a FAR of 2 is maintained, Ward 16 will still have the heaviest
concentration of population to be housed. Ward 3 will increase its capacity; while Wards
2, 4 and 29 can accommodate residential population in 2015 but will exceed this capacity
in 2020.
In the Core, available land area will no longer meet the projected population in either year
even if the FAR is raised to 2, revealing a truly congested situation.
In the West, raising the FAR to 2 increases the residential capacity to meet demand in
2015 but not in 2020.
While these are crude assumptions and estimates, augmenting existing residential areas for
future population through infilling and densification may be possible but rather difficult to
promote at this time without verifying the actual FAR of buildings on the ground, and
resolving the transport congestion problem. Hence, special studies on these are required for
ascertaining availability and suitability of sites for residential-mixed used areas.
At the same time, it also points to the fact that in some wards, increases in capacity, through
densification of residential areas, may no longer be feasible after the planning period. Hence,
looking for possible residential sites outside of KMC and towards Kathmandu Valley remain
the most plausible options. These findings and conclusions should be further refined by more
detailed studies that also integrate a comprehensive analysis of the transport system in the
Valley.
The redevelopment of the core area needs to be prioritized to include measures for (a)
relocating part of the existing residential population outside the Core area; (b) reducing
building and traffic congestion and deterioration of heritage sites; (c) directing future noncompatible commercial activities outside the city; (d) pursuing redevelopment or preservation
with seismic risks in mind; and (e) providing access to open areas and an emergency plan
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(e.g. considering the possible blockages created by damaged buildings over narrow streets
and roads in an earthquake).
In summary, the strategy proposed at this time focuses on protecting assets (specially the core
area) through a combination of retrofitting of buildings and infrastructures (with focus on
earthquake, flooding, fire) and relocating existing structures or locating future structures in
safer environments and planned areas. The latter strategy may include future planned
expansion in safe, available areas in the Valley. The possibility of forming a new risksensitive multi-centered development supported by a properly planned transport system may
hold the most promising prospect towards the realization of the KMC vision within the
Valley.
Within Kathmandu City, different development areas and corridors (see Figure on
Kathmandu City Land Use) are described briefly:
The Core
As the traditional city core, it functions as the nerve center of the social, economic and
political life of KMC. The heritage site in the core shall be restored close to its original design
and form (Integrated Management Framework, Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site,
2007). With the cultural and heritage value of the monuments in mind, the structural integrity
of the monuments and remaining structures shall be reviewed for possible seismic retrofitting
against ground shaking and related hazards. The use and function of the public spaces shall be
continued, but will be based on the understanding and appreciation of the heritage values of
the site. The RSLUP suggests that the streets and square be restored to allow for their
exclusive use by pedestrians. Mercantile operations shall also be regulated; hence, private
buildings shall be used only for traditional and compatible activities. Boundaries and buffer
zones identified and approved by the World Heritage Committee shall be enforced. Access to
emergency vehicles and fire fighting engines should be improved.
Given the varied and special requirements towards the preservation of the heritage site and
redevelopment of the Core and its vicinity, this area should be taken as a special zone.
The Central Sector Growth Area
The central area being heavily built up is congested with mixed uses. The circulation network
serving the wards in this area is the “Ring Road”, which shall be improved by widening its
connection with the Madan Bhandari Path (New Baneshwor). A commercial buffer strip
along the Madan Bhandari Path shall provide for the new medium to high density commercial
uses proposed to concentrate along this road; while dense mixed residential uses shall
continue to dominate the rest of the sector. Strong land use policies will have to be instituted
to maintain the buffer as well as densify these areas to its carrying capacity under FAR of 2 to
3.
This central sector will maintain its function as the financial and business district of the city,
leaving the traditional role for worship, pilgrimage and other related mercantile functions at
the core.
Wards outside the CBD (central business district) will be medium density residential areas,
where row houses and townhouses will be encouraged.
Bus transport bays and well planned routes should link with the pedestrian collector points of
the core. Similarly, through traffic must be organized through a set of infrastructures to
possibly divert or by pass some of the through traffic in the central area.
The East Sector Growth Corridors
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Development of the eastern and southeastern sections of the city is influenced by the airport
location. Providing the vital link from this airport into inner areas is the same Madan
Bhandari Path. The east sector, in general, will be promoted as a tourism and residential area
incorporating into its master plan two major developments: 1) road commercial strips, and 2)
apartment housing. These two features will serve as the focal points of this growth corridor.
Vegetable markets here will be expanded and modernized in order to cater to the growing
population.
In line with the city‟s aim to further strengthen its role as the premiere center in education and
health services, vacant lands still available in the fringes of the East area (near land pooled
areas) may be used for setting parks that are conducive to learning and healing.
The North Sector Residential Growth Area
This area shall be maintained as a tourist destination. The highways oriented toward the north
can serve as visual corridors leading to the forest areas of the mountains. Therefore, the
construction of high rise structures in this area shall be regulated.
The West Sector Growth Corridor
New developments will be identified by urban redevelopment zones (along the Outer Ring
Road) within the commercial buffer strips to promote further commerce in the area. The
West sector shall remain largely a residential area comprised of “other residential area”
categories and land pooled areas. The preferred form will improve the riverside (Bagmati and
Bishnumati) in this sector.
Chapter 6, Kathmandu City Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan, presents the land use plan and the
different land use policy frameworks for the regulation of future land use activities, consistent
with the chosen spatial strategy. This section presents the four major land use policy areas of
settlements, production, protection, and infrastructure. These four policy areas cover all
possible areas within KMC‟s territory.
Chapter 7, The Zoning Ordinance, presents a framework for the zoning plan. Much of the
materials are drawn from the KVTDC Building Bylaws of 2007. Other annexes are also
included for completeness.
Chapter 8, Conclusions and Future Work, presents a rationale for the extension of the
RSLUP to the whole Kathmandu Valley and the completion of the Kathmandu City RSLUP
into a Comprehensive RSLUP. It proposes a related work plan for a subsequent three-year
phase to undertake the work.
Future Work in Plan Formulation and Implementation
Moving forward with the adoption, implementation and enforcement of the RSLUP will
undoubtedly curb the risk to Kathmandu and build the discipline in development decisions
and approaches that has been lacking to date. The RSLUP is a benchmark document in filling
an important gap for the direction and control of development within Kathmandu that should
be endorsed, adopted, implemented and enforced urgently.
Nonetheless, it must be noted that this version of the RSLUP remains a working document.
Some of its underlying data still needs to be qualified, completed and refined. Still, its biggest
limitation is that it is limited geographically to KMC. Kathmandu City is physically, socially,
politically and economically fully enclosed within the Kathmandu Valley. The link between
Kathmandu City and Kathmandu Valley is vital in terms of its demographics, economy,
living, and livelihood conditions.
The RSLUP for KMC leads to the realization that
proposed strategies and approaches for future development are dependent on looking beyond
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the boundaries of the city proper. Key elements such as transport and housing require a
Valley-wide analysis in order to be understood, assessed and incorporated adequately.
Further, the hazards and their consequences do not stop at the city boundary; thus, approaches
for DRR and for effective emergency management must take a Valley-wide perspective. A
review of the hazards such as floods and landslides, including the long-term effects of climate
change also need to be incorporated especially when more detailed plans are pursued.
Emergency management approaches must be framed in the context of the Valley in order to
organize essential emergency management elements such as fire fighting, search and rescue,
evacuation, shelter, water, health, sanitation, etc. Hence, the comprehensiveness and
completeness of a risk-sensitive plan is only possible in the context of the full Valley. At the
same time, efforts to extend the RSLUP to the whole of Kathmandu Valley will lend
themselves to improving and completing the current Kathmandu City RSLUP, which will
serve as a model to other cities.
Along with the recommendations of the stakeholders in the series of reviews and validations,
the six tasks mentioned below and detailed in Chapter 8 of the report provide a proposed
work which is expected to take three to five years. However, the work can be phased with
Task 1 being given the priority, followed by an effort to complete the Kathmandu City
RSLUP. For reference, the six tasks are indicated below:

Task 1: Adoption, Implementation and Enforcement of Kathmandu City RSLUP
This task includes reviewing, improving, and testing the legal and institutional arrangements
for adoption, implementation and enforcement of the RSLUP. Performance indicators will
also be included in the task.

Task 2: Valley-Wide Data Collection and Completion of the Kathmandu City RSLUP
This task includes the development of a Sectoral Profile and related Resource Maps (e.g. land
use maps, suitability maps) to the whole Valley. It also includes the incorporation of ongoing and planned development projects and document reviews into the RSLUP, as well as its
completeness and refinement into a Comprehensive RSLUP.

Task 3: Valley Wide Multi-Hazard Analysis and Emergency Management
This task includes the extension of the RSLUP to multi-hazards as well as the incorporation
of emergency management parameters.

Task 4: Valley-Wide Risk Sensitive Transport Analysis
This task includes the incorporation of Valley-wide risk sensitive transportation study to serve
as a backbone to the Valley-wide risk sensitive development framework.

Task 5: Special Studies
This task includes the undertaking a several special studies needed to refine the RSLUP (e.g.,
social housing, historical preservation, building code implementation).

Task 6: Development of the Kathmandu Valley Risk-Sensitive Planning Framework
This is the final task to integrate the above elements into a Kathmandu Valley Risk Sensitive
Development Framework with its companion document Kathmandu-City Comprehensive
RSLUP. These elements can then serve as guides and model for other cities to develop their
own RSLUP. It was strongly recommended that KVTDC should develop RSLUP of
Kathmandu.
It has to be emphasized that the mainstreaming process should continue towards further
refining and updating this land use plan up until the implementation stages. Hence, other
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stages of planning such as local financial planning, project programming and budgeting,
monitoring and evaluation programs need to be included in succeeding planning activities.
Concluding Statements
The decision to manage the city according to the mandates of the Local Self-Governance Act
(LGSA) provides local governments such as KMC and other municipalities the authority to
take public control over the direction and pattern of development in their territories. Through
a rigorous risk-sensitive planning process, local governments such as KMC can be proactive
in prescribing the use of land, with the guidance and support of higher government offices to
achieve the following results:
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Hazards such as earthquakes, floods and others are accounted for and their impacts
reduced with time;
Settlement areas are made livable and safe;
Communities and institutions are prepared, with sufficient understanding of their
capabilities, responsibilities and authorities before, during and after a disaster
Protected areas are respected and preserved for the benefit of all;
Infrastructure support is adequate and efficient to help a modern city become the model in
the management of planned change; and
Production areas are used sustainably so that the needs of the present and future
generations will continue to be adequately met.
Performance indicators of accomplishments in DRM by KMC and other national agencies
responsible for land use planning, urban development and DRM should be used to benchmark
the current situation and measure future progress. While being a first step, the framework for
mainstreaming introduced in this RSLUP could similarly be used to guide development and
allocation of land. The replication of the approach towards the Kathmandu Valley can provide
lessons in managing risks common to cities and municipalities arising from natural hazards
and climate change-related effects in Nepal and beyond.
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ABOUT THE PROJECT
Many highly urbanized and urbanizing cities fail to consider that risk to disasters is not
produced by natural hazards alone, but are similarly man-made. Locating buildings, changing
occupancies, increasing building densities without considering the hazards of the place,
developing poor infrastructures, and not providing enough open spaces, among others, are
among the main ingredients for a disaster. The direct damage on these structures may
oftentimes be significant, but non-structural damages and loss of lives may prove to be more
costly, derailing development plans and washing out hopes of its people towards recovery.
The major disasters in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2006) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (2010) are
painful images which can provide similar scenarios of a devastating earthquake hitting
Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Rather than taking the Mid-Nepal Earthquake scenario
(KVTDC/JICA earthquake study in 2002) as one of fate, this potential disaster can be
avoided.
Essentially, RSLUP came about as an offshoot of a previous study undertaken by KMC,
NSET and EMI and other local and international partners to develop a disaster risk
management master plan (DRMMP) for Kathmandu during the period 2005-2006. This
RSLUP integrates elements (i.e. disaster risk assessment and mitigation) into local land use
planning by: (a) using available seismic, flood, fire hazard and risk information; (b) including
emergency management parameters (e.g., evacuation roads), (c) prescribing a series of
disaster risk reduction strategies and actions in the land use planning practice; and (d)
delivering a rational risk-sensitive land use plan to guide the future development of
Kathmandu.
Prior to the initial crafting of the RSLUP in 2010, a collaborative approach was selected to
ensure full ownership of the project by KMC and other local partners and build the capacity
within local professionals. The engagement of the partners in the project and their integration
in a single team was instrumental to the success of the project.
In this current project under the UNDP-Nepal sponsorship, NSET held a round of
consultation meeting within KMC, leading to the revival of a Project Working Committee
(PWC) comprising of different units from KMC, KVTDC, the various Ministries (e.g.,
MOPPW, MOLD, and MOHA), NSET and EMI. NSET & EMI filled the technical and
managerial gap, while local partners undertook most of the reviews, data collection,
consultations, and validation with NSET providing the coordination & facilitation. The
mobilization of all the resources among the partners enabled a significant review and
consolidation of materials that led to this document.
During the rounds of workshop & meetings by reviewers, several key points were identified
as crucial in ensuring the crafting of the plan: (a) use of the 2010 RSLUP as core document &
incorporation of new available land use information (e.g., development and master plans, the
risk maps resulting from various studies); (b) understanding & documenting protocols to
improve inter-institutional coordination, complementing strengths and weaknesses of the
PWC members; (c) reviewing the framework for mainstreaming DRR in land use plan
formulation; (d) reviewing, identifying and defining programs aimed at reducing physical and
social vulnerability; (e) promoting awareness and gaining support on the importance of
practicing risk sensitive land use planning; and (f) endorsement of the stakeholders during the
rounds of validations to proceed towards adoption and implementation of RSLUP, with due
considerations to their recommendations. These series of activities provided for the project
scope and framework for refining the 2010 RSLUP and the continued mainstreaming of DRR
in KMC.
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ABOUT THE RSLUP IN 2010
The elements of the RSLUP and its driving parameters were prepared through a series of
workshops and investigations by the members of the PWC between Nov 2007- Dec 2010,
relying mainly on secondary information and subsequently reviewed and updated by the PWC
members through validation exercises. In terms of data processing and mapping for the
RSLUP, substantive efforts and resources were committed by KMC and NSET to collect the
appropriate information, analyze and formulate it in a way that is required by the RSLUP.
The project drew particularly on information in the geographic information systems (GIS) in
place in each of the KMC departments as well as at NSET. Coming up with new data and
updated information proved to take much time and resource, especially for purposes of
understanding and establishing trends on demographic, social and economic growth, and
spatial distribution in Kathmandu. The EMI technical team provided the guidance in terms of
the type and format of the data and lead the analysis and integration of the data within the
PWC. However, while some of the data was in satisfactory quality, others were either
unreliable, could not be located, or did not exist. In addition, the PWC did not have the
resources or time to locate and collect all the data that may be in the hands of the various
national institutions and international development partners.
Furthermore, the same
limitations in time and resources made the project rely mostly on available information. The
project did not have the possibility to update existing information or generate new data (e.g.,
hazard and risk information, inventories on buildings, traffic demands, among others) through
further inspections and studies. Thus, some elements of this RSLUP needed to be further
qualified and its accompanying zone plan accordingly modified. At that time, the current
zoning scheme‟s main functionality was to frame possible urban zoning. In spite of these
limitations, the RSLUP provided a rational framework to guide future development within
Kathmandu in a process that will undeniably produce a safer and more sustainable
development than the ad-hoc and haphazard manner under which the city has developed in
the last several years.
Similar project-related outputs were prepared by KMC by 2010 complementing this RSLUP,
namely, the creation of Disaster Risk Management and Citizen Safety (DRMCS) Unit and the
formulation of a related Emergency Operations Plan, both as part of the larger FFO project.
These were meant to institutionalize disaster preparedness and management and preparedness
units within KMC and further strengthen the ownership process by local institutions.
CHALLENGE
Several follow-on activities need to be undertaken in order for the RSLUP to become an
effective document in guiding the city‟s future development. First and foremost,
implementation and enforcement mechanisms need to be developed through appropriate
regulation, empowerment, training and awareness. Without enforcement, the RSLUP will
remain just a “plan.” Secondly, Kathmandu City is geographically and politically integrated
with the rest of the Kathmandu Valley. Its land-use strategy and requirements cannot be
undertaken in isolation from the adjoining municipalities and localities within the Valley.
Thus, the RSLUP must be completed to include the full Kathmandu Valley. Thirdly, the
RSLUP needs to continue integrating all development projects undertaken by national and
international development agencies and by completing and qualifying uncertain or incomplete
data. This may be done by following up the RSLUP with detailed local area plans or
programs, projects and activities. Necessarily, the RSLUP has to be endorsed and adopted by
the KMC body to ensure that an acceptable policy framework is in place before any detailing
work takes place (ex. site plans). Fourthly, further refinements of the plan may need to
include more information on other hazards (e.g. fire). There is also a required activity to
improve the technical capacity of planners and other professionals at KMC, KVTDC and at
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national level institutions (Ministry) which are similarly envisioned to take the lead in
mainstreaming risk reduction in the land use and development processes in the Kathmandu
Valley and the rest of the county.
The Kathmandu RSLUP was undertaken in 2010 as a pilot study to provide an example for
Nepal and other cities in the developing world as to how DRR and emergency management
considerations can be explicitly integrated with land use planning and urban developmental
planning. By completing this project, Kathmandu City will be one of the very few cities in
the developing world that has completed a risk-sensitive land use plan. Thus, this project
could have significant value to the implementation of urban DRR if this pilot study is
completed, duplicated and refined in other cities.
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1.1
Planning and Mandates Approach
1.1.1 Rationale for Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning for Kathmandu City
Historically, Nepal has experienced several destructive earthquakes with more than 11,000
people killed in four major earthquakes just in the past century. The recently developed and
published “Three-Year Interim Plan (2007 – 2010)” of Nepal recognizes disasters as one of
the major impediments to its national development. A review of the seismicity and damages
in Nepal reveal that damage intensities (see NSET website, http://www.nset.org.np) greater
than or having same intensity (MMI) VI may recur every 21 years, damage intensities greater
than or having intensities greater than (MMI) VIII may recur every 38 years, and the more
extensive damage under(MMI) intensity IX may recur every 75 years. Based on the
earthquake catalog, Nepal faces one earthquake of Magnitude 7 or greater every 75 years, on
average. Such magnitude earthquake could be extremely damaging to urban metropolises as
demonstrated by the M7.0 January 2010 Haiti earthquake. Even more alarming is that since
1800 five (5) events of M>= 7 have affected Kathmandu. Recent damaging earthquakes in
Nepal were recorded in 1980 and M8.3 in1934, with the first documented earthquake in 1255.
A risk assessment by JICA and MOHA in a 2002 study titled, “Earthquake Disaster
Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley,” illustrated the implications of a Mid-Nepal Earthquake
scenario on Kathmandu Valley as follows: (a) number of heavily damaged buildings: 53,000
or 21 percent of all buildings; (b) death toll: 18,000 or 1.3 percent of the total population in
the Valley; and (c) number of seriously injured people: 53,000 or 3.8 percent of the total
population in the Valley.
KMC is facing a number of problems related to its growing population. One major issue of
the city is congestion due to high population density. Population density in the city had
crossed over 1,000 persons per hectare in some wards particularly at the city core. This has
resulted in several related concerns such as increased traffic, high level of waste generation,
and increased demand for urban services and facilities. In relation to seismic hazards, most
structures are old and made of stone, brick and mud whose structural elements are unlikely to
withstand strong shaking leading to their damage or structural collapse. Some buildings stand
closely near rivers (Bagmati, Bishnumati and Dobikhola) and are prone to collapse from
liquefaction. Previous studies have identified possibilities of strategic roads and bridges likely
to suffer damages under strong ground shaking. Other visual indications that damage and
collapse are likely to result in deaths and various degrees of injury are revealed from high
density of structures and their high occupancy adjacent to narrow streets; heavy foot and
vehicular traffic in old sections of the city, and lack of strategic fire stations to contain
building fire. The visual images of mass casualties and injuries, poor access to the damage
site and egress to evacuation sites and to medical facilities provide impetus in planning the
city against seismic risks.
In general, these existing conditions contribute to increased vulnerability of communities,
compounding the possible disruption of various functions and destruction of physical assets.
Added to this problem is the limited supply of lands and resources to serve the needs of the
future population for infrastructure related to housing, transportation and other urban services.
One way of addressing development problems in the face of seismic risks is to deal with
identified risks and their management in the planning process. This approach was taken in the
land use planning exercise for KMC.
This RSLUP is the municipal counterpart of Valley-wide physical framework plans prepared
by KVTDC. It is a ten-year guide (2010-2020) for more detailed development planning of
Kathmandu City. The land use plan provides a long-term view of how land can be best
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utilized to provide the platform for various development activities, as well as serve as a key
component (e.g. soil) for producing various goods. As such, land can serve a multitude of
uses such as for settlements, production, infrastructures and maintaining lifelines (e.g. food
from forests and water from aquifers).
It also adopts or seeks to strengthen the role identified for the city in the higher-level plans
and aligns its infrastructure projects along those plans (e.g. KVTDC, Ministry). Regional
plans or Valley-wide projects that will be located in KMC shall be chosen with the
participation of affected local residents and in consideration of the inherent natural hazards of
the place. These sites will be committed lands forming part of the Kathmandu City land use
plan. It shall confine or divert settlement, production areas, and infrastructures outside of
areas that are protected from human activities and shall identify and prescribe the necessary
adjustments in case of unavoidable threats from natural hazards.
Natural hazards that pose significant threats to these land uses, to the elements below and
above them, and to corresponding land use activities, shall be reduced, if not eliminated.
Hence, land use planning offers a way of integrating these concerns as well as their possible
solutions. As a first step, the integration of seismic risk assessment and the subsequent risk
reduction measures in this plan may result in:
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A better knowledge and understanding of the seismic risks and the vulnerabilities of
exposed communities, their social and economic susceptibilities, and their ability to cope
with or recover in times of disaster.
Identification of hazard-prone areas where future settlements may be discouraged or
restricted, or where possible structural adjustments may be implemented. These
constraints to development become part of the development goals and issues.
Improved preparedness and realistic emergency operation plans to prepare for effective
response and to develop the capability to deal with emergency and reduce loss of life.
Increased awareness of decision-makers and stakeholders to ensure reduced loss to life
and property from seismic risks.
Inclusion of appropriate risk reduction measures in priority programs and projects and
eventually provided with budgetary resources and implemented in periodic plans, duly
monitored and evaluated.
Appropriate identification of zones for various land uses, with relevant resolutions and
legislations promulgated to support them. Clear directions to Building Bylaws of KMC
are crafted following the prevention and mitigation policies and measures identified in
this plan.
These elements constitute the foundations of a risk-sensitive land use plan. Once translated
and enacted into a zoning ordinance, the policies in this RSLUP become mandatory and
enforceable. Enforcement is the key to its implementation, and concerns regarding this area
remain to be addressed.
This document has its roots from the RSLUP crafted in 2010 (KMC, RSLUP ,2010) that was
further developed, validated and refined to serve as a source of information for the important
elements, approaches, methodologies for mainstreaming seismic risks and their management
in the land use planning exercise at the local (e.g. city or municipal planning) level.
It is hoped that it can be adopted, completed, improved, implemented and enforced by KMC
and other relevant government agencies in Nepal. It is also hoped that it will serve as a model
to other cities in Nepal and other countries on how to integrate DRR in land use planning and
urban development.
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1.1.2 Legal Mandate for Plan Formulation
In coordination with local municipalities and Village Development Committees (VDCs), the
KVTDC is responsible for the overall planning and regulation of urban development at the
Valley level. Its work includes the formulation and updating of Valley development plans and
land use plan for the region. These plans serve to guide the municipalities within the
Kathmandu Valley, including KMC, in developing their own detailed land use plan.
KVTDC exercises land redevelopment through land pooling and guides land development
projects in KMC and other municipalities and cities within the Valley. Land pooling is a
powerful tool that KVTDC is already using, which may be used to integrate DRR in the urban
development and land use planning processes of KMC.
At the national level, laws and acts of the State are being approved by the Parliament. These
legal frameworks and policies may come from various ministries while the Ministry of Laws
reviews and consolidates such initiatives. After receiving confirmation from the Cabinet, the
legislation enters into force and is implemented by concerned ministries. These national
legislations are cascaded down through the bureaucracy in the form of bylaws promulgated by
the concerned ministries and other governmental institutions.
Below are highlights from several key policies and development action plans that are relevant
to understanding land use planning and local development in Nepal:
1. The Interim Constitution of Nepal 2063 (2007)
Under this Interim Constitution, provinces are granted autonomy and full authority to plan for
their territories. Article 140(1) stipulates the mobilization and allocation of responsibilities
and revenues between the Government of Nepal and local authorities as provided by law, in
order to make the latter accountable for the identification, formulation and implementation of
local level plans, while maintaining equality in the mobilization, appropriation of means and
resources, and distribution of development.
2. Three-Year Interim National Plan (2064-2067) (2007 – 2010)
This plan was prepared with federalism in mind in order to provide a certain level of
autonomy to the local government, under the supervision of a Regional/Provincial body. The
regional body and the local government units that compose the regional body shall be
responsible for the development of the region in accordance with the specific needs of the
constituents in order to uplift the present standard of living. Hence, the restructuring process
results in a multi-tier government with the national government being called the Federal
Government and the regional government as Federal States. The local government is to be
given autonomy, but supervised by the State.
3. Tenth National Plan (2002-2005)
Significant issues addressed in this document include Unit 21-Residential Building and Town
Development Planning, which covers, inter alia:
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Regulating haphazard construction with proper development controls in town
development planning;
Establishing good partnerships with villages;
Providing incentives to private sector developers to ensure safe and affordable housing
(i.e., with considerations of earthquake safety and promoting local and affordable
construction materials);
Providing guidelines for managing environmental degradation and for orienting people
about DRR before the implementation of any project; and
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Preparing and implementing town development policies and regulating city development
by local governments. The program and policies will be developed, taking into account
the disaster risks in the cities.
4. Three-Year National Plan (2009/10 - 2012/13)
This plan has given the importance to the disaster risk management and set the long term
vision for developing the capacity of the country for coping with any type of natural and
human-induced disasters. It has clearly mentioned in the policy and actions under the section
6.3 (Disaster Risk Management) that the preparation of risk sensitive land use plan and
following the building code will be made compulsory in urban and urbanizing areas. It has
also mentioned about the minimization of the impacts of climate change by protecting
environment and availing opportunities; increasing the access of people in water induced
disaster prevention services; developing safe, low cost and environment friendly housings;
developing appropriate settlements and cities from the environmental and social perspective
etc in different sections.
5. Local Self Governance Act of 1999
Section 96 of the Local Self Governance Act (LSGA) of 1999 stipulates the functions, duties,
and responsibilities of municipalities, including Kathmandu City, to wit:
“Section 96. Functions, Duties and Power of Municipality: In addition to executing or causing
to be executed, the decisions and directions of the Municipal Council, the functions and duties
to be performed by the Municipality mandatorily in the municipal area shall be as follows:
Finance:
- Prepare annual budget, plans and programmes of the Municipality and submit them to
the Municipal Council.
Physical Development:
- Frame land-use map of the Municipality area and specify and implement or cause to
be implemented, the industrial, residential, agricultural, recreational areas, etc.
- Prepare housing plan in the area of Municipality and implement or cause to be
implemented the same.
- Develop, or cause to be developed, green zones, parks and recreational areas in
various places in the Municipality area.
Water resources, Environment, and Sanitation:
- Conserve rivers, streams, ponds, deep water, wells, lakes, stone water-taps etc. and
utilize or cause to be utilized them properly.
- Assist or cause to be assisted, in environment protection acts by controlling water, air
and noise pollution to be generated in the Municipality area.
- Protect or cause to be protected the forests, vegetation and other natural resources
within the Municipality area.
- Carry out and manage or cause to be carried out and managed the acts of collection,
transportation and disposal of garbage and solid wastes.
Education and Sports Development:
- Establish, operate and manage pre-primary schools with own source in the
Municipality area and give permission to establish the same.
- Open, operate and manage or caused to be opened, operated and managed, libraries
and reading halls in the Municipality area.
- Prepare and implement or cause to be implemented, sports development programmes.
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Culture:
- Prepare an inventory of culturally and religiously important places within the
Municipality area and maintain, repair, protect and promote, or cause to be
maintained, repaired, protected and promoted the same.
Works and Transport:
- Prepare plans of unpitched and pitched roads, bridges and culverts as needed within
the Municipality area, except those roads which are under the responsibility and
control of the Government of Nepal (GoN), and construct, maintain and repair or
cause to be constructed, maintained and repaired the same.
- Arrange or cause to be arranged for bus parks and parking places of rickshaws (threewheelers), horse-carts, trucks etc. within the Municipality area.
Health Services:
- Open, operate and manage or cause to be operated and managed health posts and subhealth posts within the Municipality area.
Industry and Tourism
- Act or cause to act as a motivation to the promotion of cottage, small and medium
industries in the Municipality area.
- Protect, promote, expand and utilize or cause to be protected, promoted, expanded
and utilized, natural, cultural, and tourists heritage within the Municipality area.
Miscellaneous:
- Determine and manage places for keeping pinfolds and animal slaughter house.
- Protect barren and government-owned unregistered (Ailani) land in the Municipality
area.
- Frame by-laws of the Municipality and submit it to the Municipal council.
- Carry out necessary functions in managing and responding to natural disasters.
- Maintain inventory of population, houses, and land within the Municipality area.
- Update the block numbers of the houses in the Municipality area.
- Arrange for animal slaughter houses.
- Grant approval to open cinema halls in the Municipality area.
- Carry out or cause to be carried out other acts relating to the development of the
Municipality area.
- Carry-out such other functions as are prescribed under the prevailing law.”
In addition to the functions and duties referred to in sub-sections, the Municipality may
also perform the following optional functions:
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Control unplanned settlement within the Municipality area;
Make the structure and development of the town well-planned through the functions
such as guided land development and land use;
Launch programmes to control river pollution; and
Carry out preventive and relief works to lessen the loss of life and property caused by
natural disasters.
Further, Section 111 of the LSGA provides the following instructions in the formulation
and implementation of municipal plans:
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Each Municipality shall have to formulate periodical and annual development plans
for the development of the Municipal area.
In formulating the plans, the Municipality shall, as per necessity, have to launch plans
such as land-use, land-pooling, and guided land development for making the
development of the Municipal areas balanced and planned.”
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1. Town Development Act of 1988
Section 3 indicates the role of the local government in developing the plan and the role of
Town Development Committee to approve the plan for implementation.
2. Kathmandu Valley Development Authority Act of 1988
Section 6 pertains to the development of Kathmandu Valley by improving existing town
development and identifying new areas for urban expansion. It also highlights the
development and implementation of land pooling program and building construction in
identified areas.
Section 7 explicitly highlights the need to stop land fragmentation in the identified land use
plan area. Land fragmentation is the result of dividing a parcel of land into smaller sizes by
the head of the family and distributing the pieces of land to his heir or members of his family.
In many cases, the resulting lots become inadequate in size and shape for the construction of a
comfortable house or that the building is built higher in order to accommodate the expanding
family occupants. However, whenever the original lots are pooled or consolidated into bigger
lots or parcels, the resulting area would yield a building structure with adequate amenities and
open spaces for air to flow through.
Building Act of 1999
The Preamble of this Act provides for disaster-resistant building design and construction
standards to make buildings safe from natural disasters like earthquake, fire, floods, among
others. Section 4 calls for the formulation and adoption of a building code and
implementation of the same with the end in view of improving the quality and safety of each
building. Section 8 mandates the categorization of buildings into different classes and the
issuance of a building permit prior to construction in the municipal areas.
3. Local Administration Act of 1971
The Act designates the Chief District Officer to make an inventory of local, unregistered,
open government land and protect the government land from private illegal acquisition. If
public lands such as parks, ponds, grass field and others are unlawfully registered, this
registration will be cancelled.
4. 2003 Apartment Ownership Act 1998 Revised Bylaws for Construction
This Act is issued to facilitate apartment ownership by making house ownership affordable to
citizens through joint partnerships with housing and land developers. As provided for in the
law, housing companies or developers and land owners may enter into agreements regarding
development and ownership of apartments. Approval and permits are obtained from the local
government. Ownership cannot be transferred without permission from the joint committee.
5.
2007 Bylaws for Construction in Kathmandu Valley
With the enactment of Kathmandu Valley Town Development Act of 1976, a building
construction bylaws was formulated and implemented to safeguard life, health and public
welfare. It was a framework containing minimum standards and requirements to regulate and
control the construction of new buildings in the Valley. The building bylaws was updated in
1993 and in 2007.
The current building construction bylaws cover the rules and regulations on building
construction in the following cities, municipalities and VDCs:
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KMC,
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Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City,
Bhaktapur Municipality,
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality,
Kirtipur Municipality, and
adjoining VDCs.
According to the Building Bylaws of 2007, KMC is divided into nine zones, listed as follows:
Old City zone
- Protected Monument sub-zone
- Protected sub-zone
- Mixed Old Residential sub-zone
Residential zone
- Business sub-zone
- Dense Mixed Residence sub-zone
- Other Residential sub-zone
- Planned Residential sub-zone
Institutional zone
Industrial zone
Protected zone (park, forest, greenery, open space, historical, cultural and religious areas, etc.)
City expansion zone
Plane transport zone
Airport zone
Sports zone
Development controls to regulate the areas include the following:
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maximum ground coverage,
maximum floor area ratio,
maximum height of the building,
maximum number of stories, and
setback to adjacent plot as well as widths to road approach,
Provision of basement is classified for different zones. Similarly, types of road within the city
are classified as circumferential (ring road), highways, arterial road, connector road, feeder
road, special road, link road, river corridor, etc. Right of ways and setback for different roads
are classified accordingly.
With the enactment of apartment laws, the Building Bylaws had included the rules and
regulations to construct apartment buildings as well as group housing units.
6. Local Self-Governance Regulation of 2001
The Local Self-Governance Regulation (LSGR) 2001 Municipal planning process highlights
the following:
1. Each Municipality should prepare a fiscal year plan for development.
While preparing the plan, there should be balanced city development strategy; to regulate
urban development, it should be based on land use plan, land pooling, and guided land
development programs.
Municipalities can take in consultants for the preparation of the plan.
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Municipalities should concentrate on priority areas while taking into consideration the
following :
- Productive and results-oriented;
- Improvement in citizens‟ standard of living;
- Low-cost and engaging people‟s participation
- The use of local resources;
- Technology-oriented
- Women and children
- Environmental sustainability
Additionally, plan preparation should consider the following elements:
- City‟s geophysical situation, economic activities, and state of natural resources
- Different sectors balanced estimate and feasibility analysis
- Indigenous or ethnic groups
- Plans should be prepared by local people and should concentrate on local resources
Each municipality should prepare a base map with city level statistics.
Each municipality should prepare feasibility study for the project on the basis of:
- Project objective;
- Project beneficiaries and type;
- Type of project and alternatives;
- Cost of project;
- Participation and contribution by users;
- Environmental considerations;
- Peoples participation coordination with government and non government
organization.
City Level Planning can make use of various fund sources such as:
- Cities own resources
- Grant from district development committee
- Grant from the national? government
- Grant/loan from different nongovernment organizations and international
development organizations.
7. National Urban Policy 2064 (2007)
The National Urban Policy has been formulated for integration of all the issues of urban
development and to clarify the role of implementing institution for addressing those issues.
This includes giving clear information on how to mobilize necessary resources and public and
private investment for implementation of working policy set in the policy document. The long
term goal of the policy is to contribute in poverty alleviation through sustainable urbanization
of the development regions. It addresses this through appropriate planning urbanization
activities, reversing the deteriorating urban environment, and providing clearer roles of
central and local bodies in urban development
Hence, the three main objectives set by the policy were 1) balanced national urban structure,
2) clean and developed urban environment and 3) effective urban environment.
1. Balanced national urban structure.
Working policies proposed were the following:
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North-south corridor (ex. Terai region to Valley) shall be developed for equal
distribution of facilities to all regional development centre;
Develop trade linkage between mountain-terai region and boosting tourism;
Develop at least one large urban economic centre;
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Develop inter-linkage of other small urban centre to it and each other through
physical facilities;
- Give priority to large industrial activities in regional urban centre and small and
medium industrial activities in medium urban centre;
- Encourage government and private investment for fulfillment of these policies and
special encouragement to private investment.
2. Clean and developed urban environment
Working policies proposed were the following:
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Give priority to conservation of cultural and natural resources;
Give due consideration to urban sanitation and public health;
Minimize of natural disaster;
Encourage and formulate environment friendly vehicles and transportation system
Promote various economic activities based on local resources and opportunities;
Increase access of low income group to urban infrastructure facilities; and
opportunities and management economic activities in unorganized and informal
sectors
3. Effective urban management.
Working policies proposed were the following:
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Ensure that the Proposed Physical Planning Act shall address the following:
- Identify of concerned agencies and their responsibility and by bringing physical
development plan preparation, approval and implementation in the legal
framework of law.
- Strengthen capacity of local body accordingly by making urban development
planning compulsory under it;
- Separate unit within the central and regional body for physical development
planning, approval and implementation;
- Declare only those urban centers as municipality which have developed
required level of physical facilities and urban characters and transforming
municipality into main responsible body for urban development activities.
(Source: National Urban Policy 2064, Unofficial Translation, Nepal Government
Ministry of Physical Planning and Works,Department of Urban Development and
Building Construction, Babar Mahal)
4. National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)
NAPA is a strategic tool which assesses vulnerability to climate change and variability,
provides for the process and framework for developing adaptation measures. When
related to environmental hazards, In these adaptation measures may fall within the risk
reduction themes of disaster mitigation, prevention and preparedness. NAPA is mainly
cored on six basic themes which fall within the national and local development sectors
(see item 5 above on Section 96 of the Local Self Governance Act (LSGA) of 1999). At
the local level, implementation of the adaptation measures within these development
sectors are critical and is within the purview of the Municipal functions, duties, and
responsibilities of municipalities, including Kathmandu City. With coordination and
technical support from the Ministries and Districts, implementation of adaptation
measures at VDC/Municipal level, are hopefully ensured.
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The suggested focus of planning and action for adaptation are briefly described below:
a) Agriculture and Food Security–adaptation priorities in agriculture have been set
at sustainable agricultural land use system, agrobiodiversity management and
favorable and conducive governance mechanism
b) Forests and Biodiversity-adaptation measures set on sustainable forest
management, improved governance and capacity at the local level.
c) Water resources and Energy- adaptation priorities set on better and more
accessible information and technology, stronger and more adaptable institutions,
and natural and human-made infrastructure to store water, transport and treat
water, and to maintain energy production base, and expand and integrate
transmission and distribution networks.
d) Climate Change Induced Disasters- relevant to adaptation, the disaster risk
reduction practices (DRR) include strengthening resilience, diversifying
livelihood, planning, providing insurance and developing and early warning
system, and community based approaches for DRR
e) Public Health-adaptation strategies focus largely on awareness raising and public
health initiatives at local level. Carry out research, formulate appropriate
strategies and conduct IEC on health related issues caused by climate change
f) Urban Settlements and Infrastructure- adaptation measures are cored at the
following:
Settlements:
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improving effective and pro-poor structures of governance
reduce the threat through prevention
improve coping capacity of vulnerable communities
Infrastructures:
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formulate and implement sound climate change adaptation measures
providing enabling conditions to ensure resilient infrastructures
(Source: National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) to Climate Change, Ministry
of Environment, 2010)
5. National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management, (NSDRM-2009)
National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management is a National Framework with
commitment of the Government of Nepal for protection, growth, and promotion of
national heritages and physical infrastructures. It provides for a course of action to
address the loss of physical properties and human lives, destructions of basic
infrastructures. This is done by proposing an organizational structure for DRM in Nepal
and by mainstreaming disaster reduction in the development process.
Similar to the NAPA, the NSDRM is an inseparable component of all other sector
strategies contributing to sustainable development of Nepal. Inherent objective of this
Strategy is to guide towards reducing disasters in the process of formulation and
execution of development programs for national development.
The NSDRM follows a paradigm shift from merely responding to post disaster situations
to disaster prevention through development. Its main vision is to have disaster resilient
communities in Nepal. To do this, the long term strategies include:
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Development and restructuring of institutional structures;
Strengthen policy-wide and legal arrangements to ensure stakeholders' participation
while adhering to integrated policy and decentralized implementation process.
Create enabling environment from the central to household level within the State to
prepare and implement disaster risk reduction and preparedness plans.
Ensure mainstreaming disaster reduction into overall development process along with
sectoral development and poverty reduction plans.
Even before, the Government of Nepal (GoN) realized that disasters were tied up with
inappropriate development. Hence, the GoN had set up priorities based on sector-wide
activities by assessing the nature of potential disaster. This may be seen in Nepal's needbased development agenda with HFA 2005-2015. This NSDRM then becomes an
inseparable and important component of this over-all strategy for attaining sustainability
and disaster resiliency. (Source: NSDRM, 2009)
The NSDRM follows five priorities in the implementation process:
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Put up an institutional framework in place for its implementation by prioritizing
DRR at both the national and local levels.
Strengthen assessment, identification, monitoring, and early warning system on
potential disaster;
Make use of knowledge, new ideas, and education for the development of safety and
disaster resilient culture at all levels;
Minimize existing risk factors; and
Make Disaster Preparedness strong enough for effective response.
Mainstreaming of DRR in the various development sectors become imperative to ensure
that preparedness, mitigation or response arrangements are in place and that damages,
losses are reduced, thereby bringing sustainability of development. In the same sense, the
GoN has identified he following sectors as targets for risk reduction efforts:
• Agriculture and Food security • Health • Education • Shelter, Infrastructure and Physical
Planning • Livelihood Protection • Water and Sanitation • Information, Communication,
Coordination and Logistics • Search and Rescue, and Damage and Needs Assessment
Institutional Framework for Planning
(Source: NSDRM, Government of Nepal, 2009)
6. KMC White (Position) Paper (2011)
KMC published a manifesto of proposed reforms to be implemented by the city. Relevant
provisions in Nepali were translated and are listed below.
A.4. There will be Institutional provision of continuous research for urban development
and management
A.7. Urban development and management will be included in the school curriculum,
cooperation will be done with the concern authorities.
A.8. A mechanism for urban development and management will be developed with
cooperation of concerned authorities and effectively mobilized.
C.19. A mechanism of waste management at source will be adopted, and public
awareness program for reducing wastes at source will be implemented.
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c.27. A water treatment system will be formulated and implemented with the support and
involvement of INGO's and donor agencies. To allow flow of fresh water in the rivers
within Kathmandu Metropolitan City;
D.31. Awareness programs will be widely implemented for making public informed with
emphasis that „the construction of buildings without following the building code is
against the law and there are technologies to make the buildings earthquake resistant'.
40. A Land Use policy will be developed and implemented in cooperation with concerned
authorities as soon as possible.
41. House pooling plan will be developed and implemented for redevelopment of inner
core area.
F.57. For reducing dust pollution, edge to edge cover system will be adopted and if
possible, the cycle lane will be given the priority.
59. The narrow roads will be extended and widened.
65. A Feasibility study for constructing the fly-over and sub-ways will be carried out and
construction plan will be developed.
G.69. Existing parks will be improved and upgraded.
71. New parks, recreational areas will be developed and extended in the other relevant
public open spaces.
I.86. The concerned authorities will be consulted for demarcating the river boundary
along the Bagmati, Bishnumati, Manohara and Dhobikhola.
87. The river bank encroachment in the name of squatters will be completely discouraged.
K.94. For institutionalization of disaster risk management are the awareness programs,
trainings and regular disaster risk management simulation exercises will be conducted in
wards and communities.
95. The indentified open spaces within KMC area will be provided with the necessary
infrastructures.
96. Public awareness programs and potential disasters and risk of fire, earthquake,
epidemic, thunderstorm, Aids, etc. and the corresponding risk reduction measures in KV
will be conducted.
97. Institutional capacity will be developed for coping with the potential impact of
disasters.
102. Risk reduction strategy will be developed and implemented.
104. The safer housing plan will be adopted for relocating settlements in high risk areas to
the safer areas.
7. KMC Disaster Risk Reduction Mandate
Upon completion of the proposed risk-sensitive land use plan, KMC shall continue to
review and evaluate the risks from natural calamities, as provided for in Section 96(2)(m)
of LSGA which mandates local governments to “carry out preventive and relief works to
lessen the loss of life and property caused by natural calamity.”
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A hazard assessment is initiated during the preparation of the Resource Map, which
according to Section 112 of the LSGA, reflects the situation of the municipal area.
Resource Maps include geologic maps, seismic and geotechnical hazard maps, soils map,
geomorphologic maps, natural drainage map and soil cover map, among others. These
maps, when used together, would indicate the protected areas, areas of high risk, areas fit
for building structures, and the city‟s gross carrying capacity for development.
On the other hand, project feasibility studies, when done in accordance with Section 113
of the LSGA, could help reveal vulnerability of projects, of its environment and of the
community it serves to emergencies and disasters, susceptibility to hazards, and the
community‟s capacity to cope with hazards.
The post-completion risk assessment of the proposed land use plan is important “for
making the development of the Municipal area balanced and planned” (Section 111(2)),
and for making sure, that the projects identified are environmentally sustainable (Section
111(4)(f), LSGA).
The identification of risk could then serve as basis for the preparation of appropriate
development and land use policies to help prevent, prepare for or mitigate the impacts of
disasters, as mandated in the LSGA.
Nepal has a unique network of ministries and other government subdivisions that are
concerned directly or closely with land use planning, settlements, and regulation of actual
development on the ground. As shown in Fig. 1.1, national ministries have a strong
influence on decisions and actions at lower levels. Additional plans and programs direct
the development thrust on the ground, such as the Bagmati Authority and Sewerage Plan
(BASP) (a high-level authority for Bagmati and Sewerage plan), Bagmati Action Plan
(BAP), Integrated Master Plan (IMP) of World Heritage Sites, Bishnumati Corridor
Development Plan, Dobikhola Corridor Plan, and Land Development Programme of
KVTDC.
This RSLUP for KMC is a product of a series of consultations with several concerned
ministries and other national and international institutions involved in urban development
and land use planning. The RSLUP also builds on previous and existing plans and
programs of the government in DRM as well as outputs of Phase 1 of the KMC RSLUP
(e.g. Institutional Framework for Planning in Figure 1.1).
The planning process for the current RSLUP follows the existing planning structures and
functions i.e., RSLUP endorsement through the municipal council and consultation with
the related ministries and Valley authorities simultaneously. KMC, being a leader of the
municipalities, shares this plan, lessons learned and good practices with other
municipalities and VDCs in their planning, and as an input to the different existing plans
and the programs in their jurisdiction. Thus, the current RSLUP can be considered by
other local government units in their development and physical planning processes.
Hence, this allows KMC to align RSLUP with national and local-level development
thrusts.
There are, however, exceptions to the general hierarchy of ministries and these include
politically significant entities such as the KMC, which had already exercised significant
autonomy in its development decisions and plan formulation. These plans and decisions
may not necessarily be aligned beforehand with KVTDC and a closer cooperation
between local officials like KMC and KVTDC need to be encouraged and strengthened.
Future planning interventions should consider the current weak horizontal linkages
between various ministries, which had previously resulted in uncoordinated and poorly
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implemented information exchanges and joint development projects; hence, engaging
them early on in any project is an important lesson to share.
D
U
D
B
C
Figure 1-1:
K
U
K
L
Institutional Framework for Planning, Nepal
Modified from Source: EMI, 2008
Horizontal integration of land use plans were found to be very critical since the five
municipalities had adjoining boundaries. Moreover, land use issues and urban development
did not recognize political boundaries between municipalities, albeit being cross-territorial in
nature. Hence, effective horizontal and vertical coordination is a must should land use
planning in KMC is to become a model for risk-sensitive land use planning in the whole
Valley.
In summary, many of the planning-related agencies are still highly centralized, traceable to
the Nepalese history of hierarchical rule by a single authority. There were other variables,
uncovered later on that also explained the habitual adherence to the chain of command.
Institutions involved with settlement development may be seen in Table 1.1.
On the other hand Sec. III, subsections 1 and 2 of LSGA provide guidelines in formulating
periodic (5-years) and annual (1-year) development plans for the municipal area. Likewise,
Section 111 provides the “list of projects that shall be given priority, such as projects that can
generate income for the municipality, poverty alleviation projects at the field such as
livelihood improvement projects which can be operated with low cost and with people‟s
participation; projects to be operated though local means, resources and skills; projects
providing direct benefits to the disadvantaged as well as indigenous groups and children; and
projects that can contribute to protect and promote the environment.” (Section. 111(4)(a-f))
The above-mentioned priority projects are mirrored in the proposed programs and projects
developed during the workshop on Development Thrust and Strategic Planning held on 17-20
September 2009. Unfortunately, the sources of funds to implement them have not been
identified. In the preparation and formulation of its annual development plans for the
development of municipal area, Section 111 (5) of the LSGA requires the municipality “to
obtain guidance and prior estimation of the resources and means from the GoN, District
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Development Committee, and other concerned bodies for the coming Fiscal year until the
month of March of each year.”
The same section of the LSGA provides that “even the Municipality itself shall have to
provide guidance on selection of projects and formulation of plans to the different Ward
Committees for the formulation of service and development programmes for the forth-coming
fiscal year.” This requirement is consistent with Section 111 (5) (b) which states that
“projects have to be invited from the Ward Committees, consumers‟ committees, and nongovernmental organizations in the Municipal area, and plans have to be formulated on the
basis thereof.”
Additionally, the LSGA in Section 111 (7) states and reiterates that in formulating annual
plans, the following matters have to be taken into account:
Directives received from the National Planning Commission and the District
Development Committee (which in the case of KMC is represented by KVDTC, establish
in 1988) on national development policy;
b) Overall necessities indicated by periodic plans; and
c) Suggestions received from the Ward Committees.
a)
Detailed land use planning is an inherent duty and responsibility of municipalities. However,
municipal land use plans should be congruent with the general or regional land use plan
prepared by the GoN or through the KVTDC in the case of KMC. This is the “top-down”
aspect of the planning process. Moreover, KMC, as the municipality, is required to receive
and consider suggestions about projects in the municipal area from the Ward Committees.
This is the “bottom-up” component of the planning process.
In order to support the formulation of municipal plans, Section 112 of the LSGA requires the
preparation of a resource map, to wit: “Each Municipality shall, for the development of the
Municipal area, collect municipal-level objective data and prepare a resource map reflecting
the situation of the Municipal Area.” This is what KMC has done upon the completion of its
Existing Land Use Maps for 2001 and 2006. Several thematic maps were also prepared.
Additionally, the LSGA requires the conduct of project feasibility studies. Section 113
stipulates that “in the course of implementation of municipal projects, the Municipality shall
have to undertake or cause to be undertaken feasibility study of the project.” The same
section enumerated the matters to be set out in a feasibility study.
1.1.3 Planning Structures, Practices, and Types of Land Use Plans
Several plans had been prepared at the national and the local levels by concerned ministries
and KMC over the past decades. However, many of these documents were only
incrementally implemented, if at all. Within the last decade, GIS mapping had been
developed in KMC, making the visual planning easier; however, the data had not been
updated and most information were dated in 2001.
Table 1-1:
Policies and Plans on Land Use
Level of Government
Examples of Types of Plans
National Government
10th National Plan (5-year plan)
Kathmandu Valley Town Development
Committee
 Vision 2020+ other specialized plans and frameworks
 1988 Urban Development and Conservation Scheme for
Greater Kathmandu
 1987 Structural Plan for Kathmandu Valley (UNDP and
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World Bank funded)
 1984 Physical Development Plan and Programs
Districts (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur,)
Periodic Plans
Municipalities (KMC, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur,
etc.)
Land Use Zoning (from “As-is” Land Use Maps)
Village Development Committees
Village Plans
Source: Topical Report 1, EMI, 2008
1.1.4 Planning Frameworks
This section discusses the different planning frameworks and processes involved in drafting
the risk-sensitive land use plan.
1.1.4.1 Mainstreaming DRR in Land Use Planning
In 2010, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City prepared its first risk sensitive land use plan
(RSLUP), along with the KMC Sectoral Profile and Preliminary Zone Ordinance. These were
products of a series of activities undertaken in two phases of a project titled “Disaster Risk
Reduction in Megacities – A Pilot Application in Metro Manila and Kathmandu.” The two
phases were a collaborative undertaking between Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC),
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI), and the National Society for Earthquake
Technology - Nepal (NSET), with support from the German Federal Foreign Office (FFO)
through the Deutsches Komitee Katastrophenvorsorge (DKKV).
The Phase 1 of the project included the production of vulnerability and risk maps specific for
Kathmandu City. These sets of information formed the bases for determining the implications
on the future development and land use of KMC. Phase 2 of the project, included the
development of a risk sensitive land use plan for KMC undertaken between June 2008 to
January 2010.
The outcome of these two phases resulted to (a) a rational land use plan for KMC that fully
integrates risk reduction parameters into its spatial and physical development strategies and
their related tools, bylaws and procedures, and (b) mobilization of political commitment and
cooperation for DRR at the local and regional levels.
Fig. 1.2 shows the DRR mainstreaming concept developed by EMI to promote the integration
of risk reduction measures in local governance, in a way that significant risk reduction occurs
at the local level (Buika et. al., 2006). The mainstreaming framework can be highly effective
when local authorities, engaged in the normal conduct of their functions, responsibilities, and
practices, integrate DRR measures and objectives in various aspects of local governance such
as urban planning. This framework also suggests that DRR can be mainstreamed in local
governance by harnessing existing mechanisms, processes, and systems that are already in
place and making use of such resources.
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Figure 1-2:
Figure 2.1 Framework for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction
Figure 1.3 presents the risk-sensitive land use planning framework for KMC. The components
of the framework are explained in the next section.
DRA
PROCESS
MAINSTREAMIN
G ACTIVITIES
Hazard
Assessment
Vulnerability/Risk
Assessment
Mobilization
of
Stakeholders
Awareness
&
Educational
Campaigns
to
explain the DRA
and Mainstreaming
in Land Use Plans
Emergency
Management
NEXT STEPS
Plan Adoption
and
Legitimization/
Implementation/
Enforcement
Monitoring/
Feedback
Figure 1-3:
GENERAL PLANNING
PROCESS
Data Collection &
Inventory/Analysis
Setting the RSLUP Vision
Goals/Objective
Setting
Generationof Alternative
Strategies/ Evaluation &
Selection of Preferred
Strategy
Detailing and Refinement
of Preferred Strategy
Formulating Policies &
Implementation Tools
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning Framework for KMC
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The project demonstrated that land use planning could be an effective tool to lessen the
physical, social and economic vulnerabilities of cities to natural hazards. The plan hopes to
strengthen the role identified for the city in the higher-level plans and aligns its infrastructure
projects along those plans (e.g. KVTDC, Ministry). Regional plans or Valley-wide projects
that will be located in KMC shall be chosen with the participation of affected local residents
and in consideration of the inherent natural hazards of the place. (KMC, RSLUP 2010).
With continued efforts by KMC Government and stakeholders, KVTDC and with strong
support by the Nepal Ministry ( i.e. DUDBC, MOHA,MOLD), by UNDP and by scientific
organizations such as NSET and EMI, refining the RSLUP of KMC serves as the continuing
step towards a better understanding of the planning process, institutions involved, plan
outputs, review and approval process, and implementing tools to ensure a blueprint towards
sustainable urban development of the Kathmandu Valley and its component cities and
municipalities and VDCs.
With the 2010 RSLUP plan having undergone a series of reviews among its stakeholders, this
consolidated document will require commitment from its stakeholders to take it forward
towards adoption as mandated by Nepali laws and secure support from KVTDC and
Ministries
1.1.4.2 Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning Framework
This section explains the components of the Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning framework
shown in Figure 1.3. The framework describes disaster risk assessment, the process of
integration in planning, and the plan formulation phases and the implementation stages.
1.1.4.3 The Disaster Risk Assessment Process
The Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA) process entails several steps prior to the integration (or
mainstreaming) of risk information in the planning process. It involves an assessment of the
following: (a) seismic hazard, (b) the vulnerabilities and risks of different elements (e.g.
people, buildings, facilities, activities, etc.) in the city and the (c) requirements for emergency
management (e.g. open spaces, open access, access routes, etc.)
A. Obtaining the Risk Information
Information on seismic hazards, vulnerabilities and risk estimates were obtained from an
earlier study entitled “Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley” in 2002. The
parameters considered are shown and briefly described in Table 1.2. In Phase 1 of the project,
vulnerability and risk maps specific for Kathmandu City were prepared. These sets of
information formed the bases for determining the implications on the future development and
land use of KMC.
The risk assessment relies on the following parameters shown in Table 1.2 as provided in the
2002 earthquake study by JICA.
Table 1-2:
Items
hazard
Risk Information Used in the Study
Parameter description
Use of Assessment in Plan
Earthquake ground shaking
Exposure of the city to different degrees of
possible damage using MMI intensities
Earthquake potential liquefaction
Exposure of structures are high if located above
these areas and are tagged as moderate or high
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Items
Vulnerabilities
Risk estimates
Parameter description
Use of Assessment in Plan
risk to these structures
Earthquake fault lines
Nearness to a fault would contribute to greater
risk to damage, depending on vulnerabilities of
the building and site conditions
Number/ density of population
Indicative of the persons affected, or potential
for injury and potential for loss of human lives
Also indicative of intensity of use in an area or
the volume of traffic possibly to be affected by
the hazard.
Building materials predominantly in
use during the earthquake study.
The estimated damage and collapse of buildings
are very much related to the capacity of the
building to resist strong ground shaking. Using
risk scales and color scales.
Lifelines such as roads and bridges in
hazard prone areas
Indicated the breaks in these links and crossings
which would indicate road closures, nonoperation of utilities which may impact
emergency or response.
Exposure of critical infrastructures
This indicates threat to hospitals and schools
which may require further evaluation with new
inventory.
Density of structures based on building
foot prints and closeness to each other
Provides intensity of use of built up areas. The
lack of proper spaces for easements, foot and
vehicular access and access to open areas may
provide indication of dangerous areas arising
from structural collapse; hence, reviews and
studies need to be made
Exposure in terms of number of
establishments in high risk areas
Indicative of the concentration and specialization
of the city being threatened.
Injury and loss of life
The loss of life is highly correlated to severe
building damage and collapse. The building
collapse is also highly correlated to the materials
used and structural make-up of the building.
Where greater number of affected population
result, the injury and loss of life may similarly
increase.
The risk assessment from flood vulnerability analysis were included focusing on the River
corridors of KMC. Other analysis such as socio-economic vulnerability and risk analysis
related to other consequences (e.g. indirect damages and losses, i.e. monetary loss, loss of
function of specific sectors), such as the effects from fires, climate change and climate
variability should be detailed for KMC. Understanding the implications of the risk assessment
to development requires the collective experiences and expertise of the planners, scientific
experts and stakeholders in different sectors to address these threats. To treat them as
significant or not, or whether they are impediments to development and progress, will require
further evaluation.
B. Emergency management
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In view of the spatial requirements for emergencies, information on possible escape routes at
the Core area, temporary sites for evacuation, and locations of critical infrastructures (e.g.
hospitals, water sources) were mapped and provided. The basic information on critical
infrastructures, routes, temporary sites were obtained from the JICA study (2002) and
remapped using the aerial images of Nepal from Google Earth. This revealed indicative
movements and possible evacuation locations. However, the information will still require
further validation as to suitability in ground conditions.
1.1.4.4 The Mainstreaming Activities
Mainstreaming activities pertain to the various activities in the general planning process
which aim to build on existing capabilities to initiate land use planning and integrate risk
information in the plan and in the decision processes leading to the adoption of the land use
plan. These activities generally involved the mobilization of stakeholders and promotion of
educational campaigns about the following: disaster risks, role of land use planning in
sustainable development, and the activities for mainstreaming. Theoretically, the
mainstreaming activities may be taken as being embedded within the planning process,
assuming that an organization is available and capable of preparing a land use plan. The main
difficulties, which are addressed by the mainstreaming activities, lie in explaining the
elements of the disaster risks, how to use the information for planning, determining its
implications to development and spatial plans and taking the necessary strategies for risk
reduction. These apparently are the difficult areas, which traditional planning may need to be
enhanced by said mainstreaming activities.
It is worth mentioning that it was through these mainstreaming activities during the period of
2008-2009 that significant work was made towards the finalization of the document. The
sections below describe the approach.
A. Mobilization of stakeholders
The first step includes the involvement, and mobilization of different organizations
representing various sectoral task groups, (e.g. from MOLD, MPPW, KMC, NSET and EMI)
and defining and allocating their respective tasks and functions. This step also included the
conduct of orientation seminars. The orientation was attended by officials and representatives
of KMC, KVTDC, concerned national ministries, hazard agency and civil society. The
objective was to familiarize the constituents with the objectives, processes, and importance of
the planning project to the city, as well as to seek their support and involvement.
Participation and ownership building were stressed as part of the goals of the project.
A collaborative approach was selected to ensure full ownership of the project by KMC and
other local partners and build the capacity within local professionals. The engagement of the
partners in the project and their integration in a single team was key to the success of the
project. This unified Project Working Committee had the following Terms of Reference:


To initiate the land use planning process, EMI organized a series of consultation meetings
within KMC, leading to the creation of a Project Working Committee (PWC) comprising
of different units of KMC, KVTDC, the various Ministries (i.e. MoPPW, MOLD, and
MOHA), NSET and EMI. The PWC served as the technical, managerial, logistical and
administrative unit of the project, as well as the consultation and coordination agent for
the different activities needed for the RSLUP formulation. See figure 1.4
Each member of the team had specific roles and responsibilities and contributed to the
project according to his/her own expertise. Leadership in the project was shared between
partners, with EMI filling the technical and managerial gap, while local partners
undertook most of the data collection, consultations, coordination and validation.
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
The mobilization of all the resources among the partners enabled a significant scaling up
of the outcome of the project as well as the possibility to overcome many hurdles during
its execution
Through the PWC, several key points were identified as crucial in crafting the plan, namely:





Iincorporation of existing land use maps and other available land use information (e.g.,
development and master plans, the risk maps resulting from the JICA funded study in
2002, and the findings and results of Phase 1);
Development of protocols to improve inter-institutional coordination, complementing
strengths and weaknesses of the PWC members;
Provision of a framework for mainstreaming DRR in land use plan formulation;
(d) identification and definition of programs aimed at reducing physical and social
vulnerability; and
Promotion of awareness and gaining support on the importance of practicing risk
sensitive land use planning. These initial series of activities provided for the project scope
and framework for mainstreaming DRR in KMC.
Similar project-related outputs were prepared by KMC through the PWC, complementing this
RSLUP, such as the creation of the Disaster Risk Management and Citizen Safety (DRMCS)
Unit and related Emergency Operations Plan which provided for the institutionalization of the
emergency management and preparedness units in KMC and further strengthen the ownership
process by local institutions.
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Figure 1-4:
Organization of the Project Working Committee
B. Awareness and educational campaigns and explaining the risk information
Previous awareness campaigns undertaken by KMC, NSET and the Ministry of Education,
together with the series of stakeholder workshops conducted by EMI from 2005 to 2007 to
develop the local DRMMP and its implementing projects, were also helpful in explaining the
earthquake hazards and their threats among various stakeholders. Though the educational
campaigns had limited coverage, they helped in contextualizing these risks as possible
impediments to individual and collective goals and objectives of different sectors.
Lessons learned with the formulation of RSLUP revealed the following:









Importance of risk information in planning Kathmandu City to mainstreaming risk
reduction in the planning process;
Need for risk mapping appeared as a starting activity for the spatial screening of
environmental constraints and for guiding land use to achieve sustainable development;
Use of these assessments such as the disaster management issues and concerns to identify
preferred solutions;
Understanding coupled problems of environmental constraints and infrastructure and
land development, among others
In workshop meetings in Manila with KMC officials in late September 2009, the risk
maps were used as among the parameters to develop scenarios and implications to current
development concerns. Important planning activities accomplished by KMC were:
Form the linkages and relationships between the planning environment (social, economic,
physical and environmental);
Determine causes and effects of present development and land use problems in
Kathmandu City;
Use hazard, vulnerability, risk information and emergency management concerns
Reveal significance and implications of disaster risks to present problems and concerns
and future decisions.
These activities formed the basis for identifying and describing development thrusts, existing
and future land use, as well as, their management through different strategies of urban
renewal and development control, among others.
Towards the latter stages of the land use planning exercise of 2010, an awareness campaign
structure was developed by PWC to sensitize the population and relevant institutions on
RSLUP, and encouraged participation of communities. More information may be obtained
from the previous 2010 RSLUP shows the details of the awareness campaign structure.
The series of consultations, meetings, interviews and workshops were carried out from the
beginning of the project in 2008 until December, 2009 .Highlights of the consultations and
interviews conducted during the first field investigation may be seen in the 2010 RSLUP
document.
The following sections are drawn form the 2010 RSLUP report and explains the General
Planning process followed .
1.1.4.5 The General Planning Process
A. Data Collection, Inventory and Analysis
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Characterization of the city involved gathering, collating, and processing information
necessary to provide a clear picture of the city. The information generated was presented in
the form of statistics as well as thematic maps. This collective effort of the PWC culminated
in the drafting of the KMC Sectoral Profile in 2010.
The Sectoral Profile was used as a major reference for the analysis of the current situation in
KMC. This activity was done by the PWC through a series of consultation meetings and
workshops among its members.
During these meetings, it was realized that some necessary information was still needed to
complete the Sectoral Profile in order to analyze and to assess the gaps between what is
desired in the vision and what is happening in Kathmandu City. Through carefully designed
workshops and by engaging KMC in each of the step of the general planning process, many
planning assumptions and data gaps were filled towards the completion of the Sectoral
Profile.
The principal output of the sectoral and land use analysis workshops was the development of
spatial and alternative development scenarios (or options), which provided the bases for
development thrusts, land use strategies and policy options.
B. Setting the RSLUP vision
Crafting the RSLUP vision statement for KMC made use of the vision outputs developed for
the KMC in 2001. The RSLUP vision statement was crafted with the consideration of
disaster risk and their management through a visioning workshop held in July 2009 and was
then broken down into its component elements; each element was given a set of descriptors
(i.e. words and phrases that signify the desired quality of the future) city population, the local
economy, the natural and built environment, and the local leadership (See Chapter 2)
C. Formulation of goals, objectives and strategies
The descriptors guided the formulation of goals and objectives developed from the analysis of
the development problems, issues and concerns. The goals, objectives provide for the long to
medium term requirements to achieve sustainable development of Kathmandu City. The
strategies provide for the approaches to achieve the desired goals and objectives.
D. Generation and evaluation of alternative strategies
Generation of alternative spatial strategies is a major activity in the crafting of RSLUP. The
spatial strategy is the form or pattern of physical development of the city that will contribute
to the realization of the long-term vision. Each form that is generated is envisioned to
establish a sustainable balance between the built and natural environment with considerations
of natural hazards, risks and their possible management. This is to ensure the following: a)
that areas ought to be preserved in their open character, are not built over; b) that the built
environment is directed into those areas that are relatively free from hazards; and (c) that the
type, size and intensity of development are consistent with the capability of environmental
resources. (Serote, 2004)
Evaluation of the alternative spatial strategies to determine the advantages and disadvantages
of each strategy was done by the PWC. To support the land use strategies, the development
sectors represented in the PWC prepared their initial sectoral strategies and programs
following a few sequential steps described briefly below.
1.
Sectoral development issues and concerns. The sectoral profile, thematic maps,
earthquake hazard risks and other data outputs were used to describe the development
issues and concerns. Previous issues, problems and concerns that resurfaced and
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documented in studies prepared by KMC, were reviewed, validated, prioritized and
formed the various sectoral issues and concerns in the RSLUP. Their implications and
their possible solutions were then discussed in workshops.
2.
Sectoral development objectives and targets. These were also derived from the vision
statement. The development goals and targets are framed for ten years only(i.e., 20102020). A useful input to this activity was the result of the problem-objective tree
analysis earlier undertaken in July 2009.
3.
Sectoral strategies and policies. These comprise the principles and values that guide the
formulation and implementation of proposed sectoral programs and projects. They were
derived from various sources, mainly from previous development literature, from higher
level plans, and from the KMC PWC analysis and interpretation of the following: i) the
spatial trends of settlement expansion, ii) economic concentration and specialization and
iii) environmental concerns. Spatial content or implications of the different development
thrusts were included in the RSLUP and into the zoning policies, ordinance and other
proposed local legislation.
4.
Sectoral Programs and Projects. Programs and projects necessary to realize the objectives
and achieve the targets of the sectors and subsectors were identified and listed in the
RSLUP.
The outputs of this stage, however, are still subject to public consultation. It is expected that
the public consultation will result in a consensus on the final vision statement and the
preferred spatial strategy.
E. Detailing of preferred risk-sensitive land use plan
The preferred spatial strategy served as a takeoff point for the preparation of the draft
RSLUP. The main activities included identifying and mapping the general land use policy
areas, namely: settlements, protection, production and infrastructure. The preferred urban
form is also reflected in the land use plan.
In drafting the RSLUP, the existing plans of the Valley and the Building Bylaws of 2007, the
river development plans, and road development plans provided the bases for the inclusion of
higher level plans and projects in the Kathmandu City land use plan. Reviews and
recommendations were made to determine whether there remain useful features that can be
retained, modified or improved upon. Similarly, based on the available quality of information,
a draft zoning framework was reviewed and accordingly, some parts were amended or
retained.
F. Formulating policies and implementation tools
The other major activities consisted of reviewing existing relevant national laws, identifying
needed land use policies, and drafting the initial zoning policies and ordinances.
New local legislation. Some sectoral policies and programs cannot be fully implemented by
means of development projects alone. They may require enactment of possible regulatory
measures by the legislative council or by the provision of certain incentives to attract private
investments or partnerships.
Drafting the Zoning Ordinance, which basically translates the risk-sensitive land use plan into
a implementing tool, was based on the preferred land use plan and initial land use policy
frameworks. However, the zoning provided here does not yet contain detailed information on
zone boundaries needed for the creation of a zoning map.
G. Adoption and plan implementation activities
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Towards the finalization of the plan, the PWC identified several follow-on activities
(Adoption, implementation, enforcement, monitoring, feedback) in order for the RSLUP to
become an effective document in guiding future development in the city. The following
activities were proposed in 2010.
1. Legal and Institutional Framework. For the RSLUP to be useful at this point, KMC needs
to endorse and formally introduce it to relevant agencies of the government for adoption
and implementation. KMC can initiate actions that will seek endorsement from GoN
through the various agencies (i.e. KVTDC, MOLD, MOHA and MPPW). This task can
be structured around a special inter-governmental committee that involved these and
other relevant agencies with support from the PWC. While various programs, projects
and activities are implemented by different agencies, the role of KMC, KVTDC, MOHA
and MPPW in the project development, implementation and enforcement would be
explicitly clarified along with the roles of donors and development partners.
2. Advocacy Campaign. KMC with the support of national agencies and other relevant
stakeholders should continue with its advocacy (e.g. IEC) on acceptance, support and
implementation of the strategies and provisions of the RSLUP.
3. Capacity Building. through training of professionals, including planners, engineers,
architects, developers and others should be undertaken to build the skilled resources for
ownership and competent implementation of the RSLUP, and for future refinements and
updates.
4. Development of Performance Indicators. To benchmark current status and measure
performance in implementation of RSLUP, performance indicators will be developed and
tested with pilot application in KMC.
1.1.5 Continuing Efforts on Mainstreaming
In October of 2011, an opportunity to review the 2010 RSLUP under the project “
Strengthening Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and Implementation in Nepal (SRLUP)” was
made as part of comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Program initiated in KMC with
the financial support from UNDP Nepal and technical support from NSET and EMI,
The primary goal of the project was to integrate risk-sensitive land use planning in local
development processes and building by-laws primarily in KMC and draw from the learning
process ways to extend risk sensitive land use planning to selected municipalities in
Kathmandu Valley through the conduct of consultations, dialogues, advocacy and planning
activities.
The 2010 RSLUP plan underwent a series of reviews among its stakeholders:



to provide validations, consolidation of the previous document; and
to secure commitment from its stakeholders ;and
to take it forward towards legal adoption as mandated by Nepali laws.
The first workshop held on 8 Nov, 2011 at Kathmandu is one of the series of this regard.
The specific objectives of the workshop in achieving the above goal include the following:


To share the information of 2010 RSLUP to multi stakeholders and inform them about the
planning process
To gather feedback in detail on the content of the various chapters of the document for
updating and consolidation
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

To form project working committee at different levels to review the document to provide
further input and inform the committee about review process, validation and
consolidation
To reach consensus and mutual understanding among different stakeholders on the needs
and priorities of RSLUP leading to agreed actions and collaborative approaches to
accelerate its implementation.
The methodologies adopted for the workshop included the following:


Presentation on 2010 RSLUP
Focus Group Discussion (FGD) followed by presentation from each group.
There were approximately 80 participants at the workshop representing the government,
bilateral and UN agencies, local authorities (Municipalities) academic institutions, and civil
society organizations. A copy of the report is shown in Annex B.
Comments & recommendations made by the participants on the content of the 2010 RSLUP
and its effective implementation are summarized as follows.
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RSLUP of Kathmandu Valley should be owned by Central and Local government. With
feedback from different agencies/organizations and experts subsequent to further series of
workshop for validation is required.
RSLUP should consider multi-hazard risk assessment, i.e. epidemics, earthquake, flood,
landslide, climate change and fire but with focus on earthquake.
RSLUP should be prepared reviewing all the relevant documents developed so far for
Kathmandu Valley and in the country; such as building by-laws and NBC, development
plans and policy documents etc.
RSLUP should emphasize the preparation of valley wide transport master plan and
development master plan including widening and opening of strategic roads, reviewing
the concept of GLD.
Further inputs and feedback from Government, NGO/INGO, donors, academic
institutions for long term. e.g. zoning and bye-laws specific to each zoning is needed.
In addition of providing general framework, RSLUP should also state the preparedness
and response activities for the major disasters such as using existing ring road as spinal
cord during emergency rescue.
RSLUP should also focus on interventions such as completion of infrastructure before
issue of building construction permit as mandatory, promoting waste water treatment at
local level; specific bye-laws to extend urban growth in hill areas.
Regeneration of the city core by upgrading infrastructure and other basic services.
RSLUP should include recent data on total households, vehicular data, bridge and road,
data on tropical disease.
All municipalities including KMC need to initiate for their own census data for accuracy.
Enforcement of building code implementation and updating of building code.
RSLUP should address increasing vulnerability created by mobile tower on top of the
buildings, alternative and lubricating options for keeping agricultural land as protected
area, mechanism of indicating soil bearing capacity in land plot number map itself.
All the programs and interventions need to be substantiated by the annual budget.
Various capacity building activities and awareness campaign, trainings should be
organised at local level for RSLUP program to be a success; in this regard MOLD can
play a vital role.
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The second round of validation workshop was held in December 8, 2011 and provided for
stakeholders to endorse the RSLUP for adoption and implementation, with due consideration
of their recommendations. The recommendations are briefly discussed in the extended
summary and in a separate report.
1.1.6 Challenges
Despite the stakeholder‟s willingness to initiate the planning process, there are challenges in
taking forward the RSLUP. The major challenges are listed below.
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Collection of other disasters data and its incorporation within the limited time frame is
difficult.
Difficulty to coordinate all the municipalities of the valley for the formulation & future
enforcement of the risk sensitive land use plan. Coordination between the central and
local government is also a big challenge.
Enforcement of the risk sensitive land use plan is still challenging as implementation has
always been weak in Nepal.
The workshops initiated a dialogue among various stakeholders to strengthen the risk
sensitive land use plan of the Kathmandu valley. It enhanced understanding of the multi
stakeholder and planning progress of RSLUP. The workshops also provided an opportunity to
increase mutual understanding and trust between different government and non government
and other actors as evident from active participation of all the participants during the
workshop. This has to be continued and strengthened further.
1.1.7 Outputs
The deliverables under the current project are as follows:
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Consolidated Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan 2020
1.1.8 Limitations of the Consolidated Plan
Generally, the concept of he RSLUP is accepted based from stakeholder participations and
reviews in this project. There are notable recommendations to detail out the plan and update
information; however, these activities will necessarily take more time and resources prior to
implementation. The RSLUP provides for a policy framework of action for land use, spatial
development directions and land allocations in KMC, It is supported by strategies, proposed
legislations and the set of programs, projects and activities that will implement more detailed
land use plans or local area master plans. As such, it is then imperative to endorse the plan to
the local (KMC) legislative body for adoption (LSGA, 1999) and to the Ministries MoLD and
MoPPW to ensure compatibility of these plans to National and Kathmandu Valley wide
Development.
The updates included in this consolidated RSLUP had similarly been limited but has
definitely moved forwards. Much of the changes are found in the list of proposed programs,
projects and activities (Chapter 6) that will implement the RSLUP.
Still the challenge remains towards its improvement:
First, the plan relied largely on secondary information from previous studies by KMC,
KVTDC and government ministries. New information on socio-economic and physical
information will likely be available with the coming census survey in 2012; hence, the
sectoral profile remains unchanged. Given these, this RSLUP should be treated as a working
document subject to further refinements in future planning activities.
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Second, in terms of risk information, the risk assessment in the Kathmandu Valley earthquake
study of 2002 was still used in evaluating their implications to the spatial plans. New risk
assessments should be prepared to update the information. To improve the chances of success
(i.e. Kathmandu Valley and KMC), a multi-hazard assessment and “updated” land use
information and map are proposed to be prepared. This is to ensure a holistic planning of
KMC, Municipalities and VDCs within the Kathmandu Valley; thus, aiding stakeholders to
make better decisions.
Third, even with the priority programs, projects and activities suggested for implementation
within the next five years, the information on the financial performance of KMC, as well as,
the potential sources of funding for various projects has yet to be discussed. The proposed
PPAs by the stakeholders on the different land use policy areas are listed below.
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Protected Areas
An inventory of public lands should be prepared. Available areas should be identified
and planned for the use & benefit of majority, as well as, for emergency relief;
A Vision and plan for the City River Corridor (2050) should be prepared;
Detailed planning for restoration, preservation and rehabilitation of heritage sites.
Production areas
- A disaster management plan;
- An urban renewal program;
- A Social and environmental impact assessment of industrial areas;
Infrastructural areas
- Common PPAs for public and private schools and SPED;
- A Safe Hospitals program;
- Vulnerability assessment and retrofitting of buildings with other safety measures for
public assembly areas.
Transport and infrastructure areas
- Vulnerability assessment of critical infrastructures and implement program to
mitigate risk.
Economic Infrastructure
- Listing of existing markets;
- Rehabilitation and modernization of Public markets.
In the reviews, emphasis was given to the most pressing concerns of each sector, described
briefly below.
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Social development. Issues and concerns on the state of well-being of the local
population and social services such as health, education, welfare, housing and the like
were identified. Questions of equity and social justice and gender sensitivity were partly
discussed in this sector. Programs and projects in this sector are “soft” non-infrastructure
type.
Economic development. The economic development concerns embody KMC‟s intentions
to create a favorable climate for private investments through a combination of policies
and public investments, necessary to enable private investments to flourish and,
ultimately, assure the residents of steady supply of goods and services and of jobs and
household income.
Physical and land use. This component deals with the hazard and risk sensitive
infrastructure building program and the land development, acquisition required as rightof-way for easements of public facilities. It contains the physical development strategies
such as urban renewal or redevelopment schemes for inner city areas, opening up new
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urban expansion areas in the urban fringe, or development of new growth centers in
conformity with the chosen spatial strategy.
Environmental management. This embodies the strategies, programs for maintaining
cleanliness of air, water and land resources and rehabilitating or preserving the quality of
natural resources to enable them to support the requirements of economic development
and ecological balance across generations.
Institutional development. This focuses on strengthening the capability of the local
government bureaucracy as well as elected officials to plan and manage their territory and
serve their constituency.
1.1.9 Contents of the consolidated RSLUP draft
This consolidated RSLUP draft consists of five chapters arranged logically as follows:
Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction to the RSLUP and other related plans prepared at
different levels including KMC, as mandated under the LSGA. The chapter also
focuses on the approach and methodology applied in the planning of KMC.
Chapter 2 provides a summary of the geography, the hazards of the place, the socioeconomic character of Kathmandu City. It draws information mainly from the
KMC Sectoral Profile to provide the initial context of the planning.
Chapter 3 presents the outputs of various stakeholders in the RSLUP visioning exercise held
in July 2009 in Kathmandu City.
Chapter 4
summarizes the sectoral and spatial constraints that must be overcome and
opportunities that could be taken advantage of in order to bring KMC closer to
the realization of its vision. Further, the chapter also presents the information
on earthquake risk and its impacts, the flood risk assessments and limited
information on fire hazards and disasters.
Chapter 5 discusses the preferred urban form as the organizing concept for guiding the
physical growth of the city.
Chapter 6 presents the land use plan and the policy framework for the regulation of future
land use activities consistent with the chosen spatial strategy pursuant to
national and other higher level policies and in accordance with the residents‟
vision for their city.
Chapter 7 details the framework of the zoning ordinance to accompany the RSLUP. Much
of the material is drawn from the KVTDC Building Bylaws of 2007. Other
annexes are also included for completeness.
Chapter 8 provides conclusion and recommendations for the extension of the RSLUP to
include the whole Kathmandu Valley and the completion of this preliminary
RSLUP into a Comprehensive RSLUP.
1.1.10 Sectoral Profile of Kathmandu City
The KMC Sectoral Profile prepared in 2010 provides a compendium of data and information
on the physical, social, economic, cultural, infrastructure, environmental, and institutional
characteristics of the city, including its disaster risk landscape, which can serve as a chief
source of information for planning, research, investments, decision-making, and other uses. It
gives the necessary base information to support the intra- and inter-sectoral analyses for the
development of KMC‟s risk-sensitive land use plan. Most of the decisions and situations
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made in the project were based on the facts and information contained in the KMC Sectoral
Profile. The summary of the Sectoral Profile is provided in Table 1.4 below. The detail study
of the sectoral profile is available as a separate report titled, “Sectoral Profile Kathmandu
Metropolitan City, Nepal.”
Table 1-3:
Summary of KMC Sectoral Profile
CHAPTER
CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Introduction and Background
Provides a brief introduction about the document and
a short narrative of Kathmandu City, its geography
and history.
 Geography of the area
 Historical background of the city
Chapter 2. Physical Environment
Presents information on the natural physical
environment or Physical determinants of the city to be
considered in risk sensitive land use planning.
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Location
Land area
Topography
Climate
Geology
Natural hazards Identification
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Population size and annual growth
Population distribution and density
Household population and size
Population by age and sex
Population by caste/ethnicity
Migration
Women-headed household
People with disability
Situational analysis
Challenges and opportunities
Highlights: Kathmandu has suffered damage due to
earthquake several times. There are several faults in
the Kathmandu Valley. If one of them moves, part of
this lineament in the Valley will be severely damaged,
even if the damaged area is not so large. The nature of
damage from the earthquake in the valley will be
different from that of a huge earthquake that occurs
outside the Valley.
Chapter 3. Population
Discusses the people of Kathmandu and the key
features and trends of the city‟s growing population.
Highlights: Population density in the city reaches over
1,000 persons per hectare in some wards particularly
at the city core. Population congestion presents
several related concerns such as increased traffic, high
level of waste generation, increased demand for urban
services and facilities and emergency management
concerns during disasters. These existing conditions
contribute to the increase in vulnerability levels of
communities and reduce their capacity to respond,
cope with the disruption of various functions and the
destruction of physical assets.
Chapter 4. Social Sector
Tackles the general condition of Kathmandu‟s social
sector including the city‟s education, health and
protective services
Highlights: KMC is experiencing a number of
pressing social issues. These includes the high rate of
migration in the city, increasing crime rate primarily
child trafficking, rising incidence of child labor and
the poor quality of public education. The high rate of
migration to Kathmandu was attributed to ineffective
development policies in Nepal which includes the
lack of services, facilities and opportunities outside
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 Education
- Literacy rate
- Number and type of schools
 Health, nutrition and family planning
- Health
- Heath Facilities
 Social welfare
 Housing
- Floor area per person
- Occupancy status
- Informal housing
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Kathmandu. The ongoing political conflicts, poverty
and disasters in the countryside also contributed to the
increased influx of migrants to the city. The increase
in crime rate is caused by the severe urban congestion
and ineffective crime protection system in the city.
The poor quality of public education is attributed to
inadequate funds, services and facilities for education
and the ineffective monitoring of the quality of the
public school system.
 Peace and order
- Police protection
- Crime rate
- Fire protection
- Traffic management
- Disaster management
 Situational analysis
 Challenges and opportunities
Chapter 5. Economic Sector
Presents an overview of the city‟s economy.
 Per capita income
 Households below poverty
 Labor force
- Employment by major economic activities
- Child Labor by major economic activities
 Trade and commerce
 Agriculture
 Tourism
- World heritage sites
- Tourist facilities
 Situational analysis
 Challenges and opportunities
Highlights:
Tourism sector dominates the industries, but there are
signs of growth in Kathmandu‟s economy which are
mostly fueled by trade, manufacturing and tourism.
More industries and economic activities are expected
to emerge as the city modernizes and enters a new era
of democratization. However, the city continues to
face a number of socio-economic difficulties. Power
shortage and frequent power outages These include,
among others, political instability which affects
economic activities in the city such as tourism, high
rate of unemployment, growing informal sector,
improper management of heritage sites, and land
fragmentation
Chapter 6. Land Use
Talks about the city‟s built environment.
Highlights: The lack of access of the landless and
economically deprived groups to land, the continued
existence of dual ownership in practice, fragmentation
of agricultural land, non implementation of land use
project, and lack of management of the landless and
freed bonded laborers remain the main challenges of
land management in Nepal (Nepal Three-year Interim
Plan 2007-2010).
Chapter 7. Infrastructure and Utilities
Focuses on the land use pattern in the city
Highlights: Public transport cannot operate in most
settlements. Small public vehicles such as tempos
and micro-buses have their own limitations in terms
of handling passengers at affordable rates. Inefficient
networks consume more land for less benefit all
round. The combined storm water and sewer system is
about 50-70 years old that services 17 percent of
KMC households.
Chapter 8. Environment
 Existing land use
- Trends of building construction
- Land pooling
- Urban housing development
- Cultural and heritage sites
 Land use trends
 Situational analysis
 Challenges and opportunities
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Transportation
Road network
The Bishnumati Link Road
Drainage and sewerage
Water supply
Power supply
Telecommunications
Situational analysis
Challenges and opportunities
 Waste generation rate
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Describes the infrastructure and utilities sector in
Kathmandu
Highlights:
Poor sanitation is also an important problem in
KMC.This is mainly due to household sewage and
wastes, and industrial effluents dumped into the river
without treatment. There is also a high level of air
pollution due to poor road conditions producing dust
and particulates, Improper solid waste disposal due to
temporary dumping of garbage along roadsides also
contributes to urban pollution in the city.
Chapter 9. Development Administration
Discusses the development administration of KMC,
including its legal and institutional arrangements.
Highlights: There are laws covering both land use
planning and disaster risk management (and the other
legislation mentioned) but they are not interlinked or
are not supportive of each other. But there is no law
that addresses the specific conditions for risksensitive land use planning. Many of the planningrelated agencies are still highly centralized, despite
the existence of vertical linkages; the centralization
tendency is evident, whereby decisions and actions
require consent from higher authorities. There seems
to be very limited funding to support the institutional
and organizational reforms indicated by the findings
and conclusions.
 Waste collection rate
- Pollution
- Air pollution
- Water pollution
- Industrial pollution
- Noise pollution
 Situational analysis
 Challenges and opportunities
 Organization and management
- Nepal government officials
- Organizational structure of KMC
 The political system
- The national government
- The local government
- Institutional framework for land use
planning
- Policy environment for land use planning
- Planning structure, practices and types of
land use plans
 Some relevant findings and conclusions from
earlier investigations
 Fiscal management
 Urban development projects
 Situational analysis
 Challenges and opportunities
The KMC Sectoral Profile contains primary and secondary information collected from
various agencies and organizations in Kathmandu and Nepal. The preparation of the profile
required months of collecting official data, completing data gaps, generating and validating
data, and performing data projections for future urban population and future demands for
services and facilities in Kathmandu. Majority of the information contained in the profile
were collected from secondary sources and official documents such as the Nepal Census
Bureau of Statistics (CBS), World Bank City Development Strategy (CDS), Kathmandu
Valley Mapping Program (KVMP), JICA Study on Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the
Kathmandu Valley and other relevant materials. Primary information was also collected by
the PWC through field investigations, windshield surveys and direct observations in key areas
of the city. Key informant interviews were conducted to collect information from
representatives of various national and local agencies including KMC, KVTDC, MoHA,
MoLD, MoPPW, Department of Roads, Department of Transport and Traffic Management,
and NSET, as well as international organizations such as JICA, GTZ, UDLE and CDIA,
among others. The list of data collected and their corresponding sources is provided in Annex
C.
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1.2
Study Area
1.2.1 Location and Land Area
KMC is located in the Kathmandu District, Bagmati Zone, Central Develoment Region of
Nepal. It is situated in the northwestern part of Kathmandu Valley. KMC is bounded by
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Gothatar Village Development Committee (VDC) and
Kapan VDC in the east, Ichangu Narayan VDC, Sitapaila VDC, Khadka Bhadrakali VDC,
Mahankal VDC and Siuchatar VDC in the west, Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City in the south,
and Gongabu VDC and Dhapasi VDC in the north. Snow-covered mountains rise behind the
green hills in the north to provide an awe-inspiring backdrop to the city. The city is located at
27°42' north Latitude and 85°20' east Longitude.
Figure 1-5:
Figure 2.2 Location Map
1.2.2 General Hazards and Associated Risks
According to the Kathmandu Valley DRM Profile (EMI, 2005), the most frequent natural
disasters in Nepal are flood, landslide, and fire causing loss of life and severe damage to
property. The middle hills are mainly prone to landslides while the flat Tarai region is
susceptible to flood and fire. While earthquakes are not frequent, historically, Nepal has
experienced several destructive earthquakes with more than 11,000 people killed in four
major earthquakes just in the past century.
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Figure 1-6:
Geographic Distribution of Recent Major Disasters
Source: UN Nepal„s Inter-Agency Disaster Response Preparedness Plan, 2001
Nepal‟s recently developed and published “Three-Year Interim Plan (2007-2010)” recognizes
disasters as one of the major impediments to national development. It tries to address disaster
risks by devoting one separate chapter on Disaster Risk Management (Chapter 26). DRM
issues were also noted in different chapters pertaining to other development sectors.
Table 1-4:
Lives Lost Due to Different Disasters
Source: Dhakal, 2006
Type of Disaster
1983-2005
Earthquake
727
Flood and landslide
6,982
Fire
1,191
Epidemics
11,933
Wind & Hailstorm, Thunderbolt
622
Avalanche
116
Stampede
71
Total
21,642
Earthquake
The historical earthquake catalogue of UNDP/UNCHS (1994) showed high seismicity along
the Himalaya.
Historically, Nepal has experienced several destructive earthquakes with more than 11,000
people killed in four major earthquakes just in the past century. Based on the earthquake
catalog, Nepal faces one earthquake of Magnitude 7 or greater every 75 years, on average.
Such magnitude earthquake could be extremely damaging to urban metropolises as
demonstrated by the M7.0 January 2010 Haiti earthquake. Even more alarming is that since
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1800 five (5) events of M>= 7 have affected Kathmandu, the most recent severe earthquake
was the 1934 M8.3 earthquake. On average earthquake intensities equal to or greater than 8
take place every 36 years while earthquake intensities of 9 or greater take place every 75
years. The last significant earthquake took place in 1980 of magnitude 6.6. Based on these
observations, it is reasonable to conclude that there is a high likelihood of an earthquake
which will cause intensities of 8 or greater in Kathmandu. Such intensities will create
catastrophic damages in the city.
EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY
AVERAGE
RETURN TIME
Intensity >= 6
21 years
Intensity >=8
36 years
Intensity >=9
75 years
KATHMANDU
Last Significant Quake
1980
5 Events of M>=7 since 1800 with one
event of M=8.3 (1934)
Large Likelihood of I>=8 by 2020
Figure 1-7:
Average return time for various levels of earthquake intensities in Nepla and
Kathmandu
(Source: EMI from historical earthquake catalogue)
For example, it was reported that in 1833, a strong earthquake resulted in the destruction of
643 houses, death of 22 people, and injuries to 30 more. In the 1934 Bihar-Nepal Earthquake,
damage to Kathmandu Valley included 725 houses completely destroyed, 3,375 heavily
damaged, 4,146 slightly damaged, and 479 casualties.
Figure 2.3 presents the historical epicentral distributions in and around Nepal. The epicentral
distribution map indicates the following characteristics:
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There are three main tectonic lines running across Nepal, namely, the Main Central
Thrust (MCT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and Main Frontal Thrust (MFT), and many
of the past earthquakes occurred in the area between MCT and MBT.
Seismicity is active in the west of Nepal.
The central part of Nepal has suffered relatively few earthquakes.
A study by JICA and MOHA in 2002 covered seismic risk assessment for the whole
Kathmandu Valley. It was, however, conducted within a short duration of time under limited
resources. At that time, there was no official building inventory of the area so the total
number of buildings was estimated from population and household distribution as reported in
the 1991 census. Information on building vulnerability was based on an inventory survey of
only 1,000 buildings and from onsite observation of the main sites.
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Figure 1-8:
Figure 2.3 Epicentral Distribution around Nepal, 1255 to 2001
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
There are several faults in the Kathmandu Valley. If one of them moves, part of this
lineament in the Valley will be severely damaged, even if the damaged area is not so large.
The nature of damage from the earthquake in the valley will be different from that of a huge
earthquake that occurs outside the Valley.
According to the same earthquake study, the main source of seismic activity in Nepal is the
subduction of the Indian plate under the Tibetan plate or Himalayas. Another earthquake
generator in the Valley is the identified seismic gap zone in the middle of Nepal. Based on
seismic records dating back to 1255, destructive earthquakes (estimated to have reached M7
or greater) have occurred in 1255, 1408, 1681, 1803, 1810, 1833, and 1869, 1913, 1916, 1934
and 1936 with the M8.3 1934 earthquake being the largest magnitude recorded earthquake.
Earthquake Vulnerability
The concerns over the seismic risk to Kathmandu are driven not only by the high rate of
seismicity but also by the extreme vulnerability of structures and infrastructure, and the high
density of the built environment. The percent of building construction that could be
considered to be earthquake resistant is negligible, whereas the overwhelming majority of
buildings and structures indicate a high to very high vulnerability. The density of buildings
and population, the extreme vulnerability, the difficulties of access due to narrow roads and
the potential for secondary effects such as fire following an earthquake, hazardous material
release, landslides, liquefaction and others are indicators of a large scale urban catastrophe
waiting to happen with a level of destruction that is unprecedented. Further, Kathmandu is
also subject to other hazards such as flooding, landslides and has high exposure to climate
change because of its location and fragile environment, which aggravate the vulnerability of
the city to natural hazards.
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Figure 1-9:
Pictures showing the type of vulnerable construction in Kathmandu as well as
the high density of buildings and population (Source: EMI)
Flood, Landslide and Debris Flood
There are more than 6,000 rivers and streams in Nepal, most of which flow from north to
south generally at high velocity due to steep river gradient. The majority of the larger rivers
are snowfed from the Himalayas. Since the topography of the country is steep and rugged,
with high-angle slopes and complex geology, large quantities of rainfall during the monsoon
season lead to floods, landslides, and debris flows in a number of cities. Costly yet
ineffective land conservation causes flooding and landslides. Unplanned settlements and
structures built without consideration of natural hazards aggravate the situation. In addition,
landslides caused by torrential rains add enormous volume to streams and rivers causing
floods and debris flows downstream that kill numerous people and inflict immense harm to
agricultural lands, crops, and properties.
In July 1993, the Tarai region experienced a destructive flood which claimed the lives of
1,336 people and affected another 487,534. In 1998, floods and landslides struck various parts
of the country, mainly the Tarai and middle Hill regions, killing 273, injuring 80, and
impacting 33,549 families. The floods and landslides also ruined 45,000 hectares of crops.
Similar flooding occurred in 1999 and continues to occur annually. More discussions on
flooding risks may be seen in Chapter 4.
Fire
Fire occurs mainly between April and June during the dry season when it seldom rains and
temperatures in the Tarai region reach higher than 35°C. Fires are common to the rural Tarai
and Hill regions where 90.8 percent of the total population lives in very poor housing
conditions. Houses in rural regions, especially Tarai, are composed of straw or timber and
tend to be very close to each other, thereby increasing the risk of fire and fire spread. In 1999,
a blaze killed 39 people, injured 10, and affected 1,065 families. The fire, with estimated total
losses of NRs 45.23 million, destroyed 1,035 houses, 52 cattle sheds and 148 livestock. More
discussions may be found in Chapter 4.
Climate Change and Variability Impacts to Urban Settlements and Infrastructure
(excerpts from the NAPA report, 2009, Ministry of Environment)
Nepal‟s climate is influenced by the Himalayan mountain range and the South Asian
Monsoon. The climate is characterized into four distinct seasons: pre-monsoon (March-May),
monsoon (June-September), post monsoon (October- November) and winter (DecemberFebruary). Annual average rainfall is about 1800 mm yearly. The monsoon rain is abundant in
the east and gradually declines as it moves westwards; while winter rains are higher in the
northwest declining as it moves south-eastwards. The highest rainfall occurs in the central and
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mid-hill areas around Pokhara and northeast and east of the Kathmandu Valley. Temperature
tends to increase from north to south.
In terms of projections, mean annual temperature may increase between 1.2 deg C- 1.4 deg C
by 2030, and about 1.7 deg C by 2050. Increases in temperature from 2degC to 3 deg C may
be expected until 2100. Precipitation may increase in the range of 15 to 20% for the whole
country during summer months. Generally there is an increase in monsoon and post monsoon
rainfall in terms of intensity of rainfall.
Nepal, largely an agrarian economy is highly sensitive to these changes in climate and nature
resource availability (i.e. water resources).
The NAPA report indicates that Kathmandu is one among the more vulnerable districts with a
very high rating in terms of a vulnerability index. Essentially, it describes that poor people are
vulnerable to loss of physical capital (damage to shelter and infrastructure), human capital
(malnutrition and disease), social capital (displacement of communities) and financial capital
(more disasters and lower income).
In that same report (September 2009) of the Ministry of Environment of Nepal, the direct
impacts of climate change may result to disastrous floods and reduce freshwater supplies.
Indirect impacts of climate change could be experienced due to extreme events that may
increase food prices and /or damage livelihood assets of the vulnerable communities.
The report further adds that, climate change is likely to result in increased damage to
buildings, energy services, telecommunications, transport structures and water services,
hence, generally affecting the quality of lives and safety of local communities.
1.3
Vision
1.3.1 Vision Statement
The vision statement for Kathmandu City serves as the ideal scenario upon which all major
plans and programs are anchored. The city‟s 2001was crafted as follows: “Beautiful, wellmanaged and full of life city where citizens are proud of their natural and cultural heritage
and look forward to a bright future”
To put more emphasis on safety and disaster resilience, this earlier vision was refined in a
Strategic Planning Seminar-Workshop held in July 2009. The new vision aspires for KMC to
be “a tourism center based on heritage and culture with healthy, responsible and
economically active citizens, living in a clean, safe, and disaster-resilient environment”
While the RSLUP is prepared for a ten year period, the conditions envisioned can inspire
KMC well beyond the plan‟s 10-year time horizon, as it may probably take more time to
attain.
1.3.2 Vision Elements, Descriptors and Success Indicators
A vision statement is meant to capture the desired qualities of the city according to five major
elements namely, the quality of the people as individuals and as society, the nature of the
local economy, the state of the natural environment, the condition of the built environment
and the capability of the local leadership. (Serote, 2004)
Role of KMC
KMC shall continue to be the capital city of Nepal serving as the administrative center, cradle
of heritage and culture, and a world-class tourist destination.
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Qualities of the people as individuals and as a society
KMC residents are responsible. This trait is said to have been attained if they have reached a
state where most of its current social and economic problems had been addressed, and may be
further described as follows:





A low number of crime cases, having negligible incidence of theft, pilferage, including
insignificant cases of drug abuse, and destruction to property, less number of broken
families and juvenile delinquents;
A genuine concern for the environment such as garbage being properly disposed, cleaner
and greener environment;
The city being child-friendly would connote no cases of child abuse or labor and minimal
number of out-of-school youth.
The citizens are transformed into a disaster-prepared citizenry where the government,
private sector and civil society resources are immediately mobilized in time of crisis and
emergency.
Public consultation/people participation has been made an integral part of the
government‟s decision-making process and that nongovernment organizations including
people‟s organizations and cooperatives, regularly participate in the physical and
development planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government
programs and projects.
KMC inhabitants are healthy physically, mentally and emotionally. Being in good shape
would mean longer life expectancy i.e. at least 65 years, zero malnutrition, low morbidity,
sports-oriented, and possessing healthy mind and body.
KMC towns-people are economically productive having been able to provide the basic needs
of their respective families and that there is an insignificant number of families below poverty
level.
KMC residents are hospitable, as bearers of goodwill in a Valley which continue to serve as a
cradle of religious and cultural heritage for the world to see, and for its visitors to experience
the hospitality of the people of Kathmandu.
Nature of the local economy
KMC wants to be known not only nationally but also worldwide as the “tourism destination
of the world,” known for its competitive and environmentally sustainable tourism industry.
Second, KMC‟s economy is envisioned to be sustainable and progressive. This can be
attained by creating an economic climate that will encourage inflow of investments.
Progressive means KMC shall implement sustainable development programs and projects in
the different sectors of the economy. The city must be able to use its land and water resources
sustainably to support its functions and industries, while at the same time create a space (e.g.
parks, open space) for good quality living. Future human and physical developments will not
be allowed to contribute to the degradation of the environment and will be sensitive to natural
and technological hazard risks.
Third, in maintaining its dominance as the region‟s center for distribution of goods and
services, Kathmandu City shall continue to develop its tourism and handicrafts industry, and
diversify its economy in “specialty” areas of education, health services, and in trade.
The educational institutions located in KMC, which offer formal education and training,
should be able to provide a quality of education and training in disciplines that cater to
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businesses in the 21st century such as information technology, and handicrafts to increase the
city‟s level of competitiveness.
State of the built and natural environment
Pollution (e.g.; solid waste; effluent; air pollution, whether toxic or hazardous or coming from
households, hospitals, industries or institutions) is one of the major problems in Kathmandu
City. However, its residents envision living in an environment that is clean, green and safe.
A clean environment would translate to a city where all types of wastes are properly disposed
of, and where air and water quality supports a livable and healthy urban environment.
In line with KMC‟s desire to live in a “green” city, urban core/development clusters shall
flourish with flower-bearing trees along the city entrances, highways and even minor roads.
The city will also become more attractive without illegal settlements encroaching on critical
and hazard-prone areas (e.g. river side, public land, etc.).
This condition is said to have been attained when urban blight is considerably reduced, when
the greenery becomes a dominant feature of the city; when sidewalks along rivers, along main
thoroughfares are continuous and integrated with street lights, parks and open spaces; when
rivers and creeks are cleared and cleaned and become part of the network of parks and open
spaces; and when public squares, monuments and buildings which serve as landmarks of the
city (e.g. city hall, the public market, the heritage sites) are transformed anew and restored to
their original, distinct architectural character.
Condition of the built environment
Creating a planned community supported by adequate and appropriate transport and
infrastructure will enable every citizen to meet the demands of daily work and recreation
between workplace and home. To attain this desired condition is to identify and develop
suitable areas for urban expansion in the form of mixed-use growth nodes. Other
requirements include:
5.
Increased efficiency of the circulation network with new roads and bridges constructed,
existing ones rehabilitated, the public transport system rationalized, and decentralized
multi-modal transport terminals provided;
6.
Improved mobility of pedestrians through the provision of pedestrian-oriented facilities
such as overpasses, waiting sheds, etc.;
7.
Improved quality and quantity, and increased affordability of water supply, power supply,
telecommunications and internet services, etc.,
8.
Adequate and effective drainage, sewerage and flood control systems; and
9.
Buildings and infrastructures are engineered with natural hazard risks in mind.
Taking into consideration the natural limits and constraints inherent to the land resource of
the city, a desired condition of the built environment is the development of safe forms and
patterns of settlements away from identified environmentally critical areas and the
protection of resource reserves such as urban forests, and remaining agricultural lands. As for
existing built-up areas, appropriate measures will be adopted to reduce building and
infrastructure vulnerability and social risks.
A planned and safe city results in a balanced relationship between the built and the unbuilt
environments. This condition is said to have been attained when the built environment is
integrated into the city‟s unbuilt space consisting of parks and open spaces, rivers, creeks.
Safe areas and safe forms (e.g. buildings and sites) and patterns of urban space mean existing
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and future locations are decided with the inherent natural hazard risks in mind, and managing
them all throughout the land use planning stages and in succeeding project development
stages.
When urban forests are delineated and protected, and when standards on open space
requirements such as those pertaining to subdivision development, housing, road planning and
river easements, and utility lines/facilities are strictly complied with, the desired condition of
a safe built environment is said to be met.
Capability and quality of the local governance
The people of KMC desire to have local leaders who are visionary, dynamic and people
oriented. These desired qualities of local governance are anchored on shared values
committed to promoting the public interest. This means that local leaders whether from the
KMC leadership, nongovernment organizations or people‟s organizations are determined to
put the interest or welfare of the people above their self-serving interests. In concrete terms,
the people of KMC would like to experience the following effects of visionary, dynamic and
people-oriented local governance:
Strict enforcement of laws
Laws are rules of conduct established and enforced by authorities supported by the people.
Through a process of decentralization (i.e. LSGA), the KMC was allowed by the State to
perform functions and responsibilities as well as exercise powers and authority at their
mandated territorial and political jurisdiction. This entails an unwavering commitment to
enforce laws at all times.
Self-sustaining KMC
The people of KMC are empowered to become self-reliant communities and to act as
effective partners in the attainment of national development goals. KMC has the capacity to
maximize its income through progressive means that are practical and equitable and thus,
reduce the city‟s reliance on the national government. Apart from maintaining financial
stability through a sustained positive balance in its financial statement, the KMC must also
adopt a progressive fiscal policy in terms of local revenue e.g., taxes and other revenues, grant
from the central government and donation from local and international donor agencies.
Effective, efficient and responsive city government
The people hope to have an effective, efficient and responsive KMC government.
Effectiveness means that KMC is able to deliver appropriate services if and when needed.
Efficiency relates to the cost-effective delivery of public services. Responsiveness refers to
the relevance and timeliness of the local government‟s responses to problems as they arise.
In this view, areas of local governance shall be strengthened such as the technical capability
of its human resources and system capability of its organizational structures.
Disaster-prepared and resilient government and citizenry
KMC is known to be located in an environmentally-critical area. However, the occurrence,
frequency and magnitude of natural disasters are unpredictable. Therefore, there is an
imperative for the KMC and citizenry of Kathmandu to be prepared for disasters at all times.
With a common vision, under a dynamic and people-oriented governance, KMC remains and
continues to be resilient, in spite of the political turmoil, and possible natural and
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technological disasters that may hit them. The government and its citizens will rise above
these situations, as empowered citizens and not mere victims.
KMC shall continue to work with the nongovernmental organizations and other institutions
that are recognized as active partners of the KMC in the pursuit of local autonomy and good
governance.
1.4
Issues, Problems and Development Directions
This chapter discusses the development and spatial planning concerns of KMC. An analysis
of the different sectoral issues, problems and concerns, including relevant strategies to
address them, is presented.
1.4.1 City Context
KMC is the capital city of Nepal. It is the historic, political, commercial, cultural, and tourist
center of the country. It is the largest city in Nepal and the cosmopolitan heart of the
Himalayan region. The principal language in the city is Nepali and the major religions are
Hinduism and Buddhism. With a history and civilization dating as far back as 2,000 years
ago, the city, along with the other towns and villages within Kathmandu Valley, ranks among
the oldest human settlements in the central Himalayas. The summary of information about
Kathmandu is provided in Table 4.1.
Table 1-5:
Kathmandu City at a Glance
Source: KMC Website
Country:
Nepal
Region:
South Asia
Longitude/Latitude:
850 20' East / 270 42' North
Elevation:
1,350 meters above sea level
City Area:
5,076 ha (51 sq. km.)
Population:
671,846 (CBS 2001)
Annual Growth Rate:
4.53%
Population Density:
13,225 / sq. km.
Number of household:
152,155(CBS 2001)
Per capita income:
360 US$
Major religions:
Hinduism, Buddhism
Principal Language:
Nepali, Nepal Bhasa (Newari)
Number of wards
35
Number of sectors (by road addressing)
N5 (Core, Central, North, East, West)
Number of World Heritage sites
4
Kathmandu has a multi-ethnic demography although Newars, one of the indigenous groups,
still comprise a large segment of the population. Old Kathmandu corresponds to the current
city core, encompassing a compact zone of temple squares, court yards and narrow streets.
The Durbar Square, the old king‟s palace complex, is located at the center of Old Kathmandu
and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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1.4.2 Development Issues, Problems and Constraints
The following discussions on the factors that hamper urban development in KMC are derived
mainly from the KMC Sectoral Profile and other relevant documents, as wells as from the
series of workshops conducted over the course of the project. Development constraints are
generally classified into two: inherent and derived. Inherent constraints pertain to the
limitations due to an area‟s geophysical features and natural environment. Derived
constraints, on the other hand, are the issues that arise out of the effort of man and society to
adapt to or modify the environment to further their individual interest and collective
wellbeing (Serote, 2005).
The process of mainstreaming DRR in the local planning process is shown in Figure 4.1 (the
same figure is also available as Figure 1.3 in chapter 1) and provides inputs to the profile
which may be used to guide planning. The objectives of including the DRA is to inform the
planner on the attendant risks, interpret its implications to development, and guide the
physical framework and succeeding land uses to avoid, prevent, or mitigate risks as well as
prepare the population or settlements through the plans.
Figure 1-10:
DRA
PROCESS
Hazard
Assessment
Vulnerability/Risk
Assessment
Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning Framework for KMC
MAINSTREAMIN
G ACTIVITIES
Mobilization of
Stakeholders
Awareness &
Educational
Campaigns to
explain the DRA
and Mainstreaming
in Land Use Plans
Emergency
Management
NEXT STEPS
Plan Adoption
and
Legitimization/
Implementation/
Enforcement
Monitoring/
Feedback
GENERAL PLANNING
PROCESS
Data Collection &
Inventory/Analysis
Setting the RSLUP
Vision
Goals/Objective
Setting
Generation of Alternative
Strategies/ Evaluation &
Selection of Preferred
Strategy
Detailing and
Refinement of
Preferred Strategy
Formulating Policies &
Implementation Tools
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1.4.3 Disaster Risk Assessment
1.4.3.1 Seismic Hazard Information
Hazard information includes the inventory, description and preparation of the hazard maps in
Kathmandu Valley. The maps described in this section pertain to earthquakes (i.e., nature and
magnitude of the hazard, susceptibility of the area, and extent of the intensities of damage or
impacts over the affected areas.) as described in the study, “Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in
the Kathmandu Valley” in 2002.
Three fault models were selected based on the seismic, seismo-tectonic and geological
condition around Kathmandu Valley, and the fault model of 1934 Bihar-Nepal Earthquake.
Among the three, the Mid-Nepal earthquake was selected. Figure 4.2 shows the distribution
seismic Intensity in KMC.
The liquefaction potential map is based on information on soil properties and seismic motion
from JICA‟s “Study on Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valle” in 2002. The
liquefaction potential map shown in Figure 4.3 indicates that the liquefaction is moderate in
areas along the Bagmati River. A closer look into the moderate liquefaction-prone areas
reveals several buildings standing over these areas, among them hospitals (Figure 4.4).
Scenario projections indicate that a repeat of the 1934 Bihar-Nepal earthquake would produce
a death toll between 22,000 and 40,000, while about 60 percent of all buildings in the
Kathmandu Valley will be heavily damaged, many beyond repair. Ninety percent of the water
pipes would be seriously damaged and about half of the bridges would be closed due to
damage. Note the loss estimates of the JICA study are based on 1991 Census. Since then, the
population in the Valley has just about doubled and density has increased also. Thus, based
on current conditions the actual losses could be several times greater than the JICA study
projections, should the earthquake happen today.
For Kathmandu Valley, as well as for Kathmandu City, the worst-case scenario earthquake
has been identified as the Mid-Nepal Earthquake with Ms=8.0 (see Figure 4.5). Comparing it
to the 16 July 2001 Gorkha earthquake of Ms=5.1, the energy of a probable Mid-Nepal
earthquake would be about 30,000 times greater.
The VDCs were adopted as the basic units for the administration boundary. Also, in studying
the ground earthquake motion and ground condition, the 2002 JICA study made use of grid
system having a mesh of 500m square. The meshed areas covering KMC were taken from the
same study and were used in overlaying process.
The following maps from the 2002 JICA study provide a spatial description of the potential
damage and losses that Kathmandu Valley would probably sustain in the event of this
scenario (Figure 4.5).
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Figure 1-11:
Figure 1-12:
Seismic Intensity Map
Liquefaction Potential Map
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Figure 1-13:
Zoom-in of Liquefaction-Prone Areas along Bagmati
Figure 1-14:
Scenario Earthquake Fault Mode
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1.4.3.2 Assessment of Vulnerability
Vulnerability analysis defines the possible areas or elements exposed to the hazard. The
elements at risk may include population, settlements, property, land cover features or their
values. When overlaid with the hazard maps, they provide information about the potential
affected areas. The consequences typically analyzed are risks to life, risks to property and
possible loss of certain functions such as communication, transportation, power supply, and
water supply, among others.
On the socio-economic side, political instability, high mortality rate, illiteracy and extended
poverty are the main components of vulnerability. Weak emergency preparedness and
response capacity, limited hospital and health resources, and inadequate land use controls
have been identified as the most significant components that contribute to low-coping
capacity and disaster resilience. High structural vulnerability of existing buildings were due to
inappropriate construction practices, unregulated urban development that allows settlements
in landslide prone areas found in the hilly fringes, and increasing number of informal
settlements that significantly contribute to accumulation of risk.
The components of direct damage in urban areas considered in the 2002 report include
buildings for housing, commerce, industries, tourism, hospital, roads and bridges and other
economic or social infrastructure. It also covered utilities which include transport,
communication facilities, energy sources, water facilities and sewerage facilities. The
damages are expressed as percentage of building or number of breakage points.
There were no official building inventory data for the Kathmandu Valley in the 2002 study,
and so the building vulnerability was estimated from the population and household
distribution by the 1991 census. Similarly, the total number of buildings was based on
estimates of these buildings in 1991. In assessing building vulnerability, the building material
was used but the age and height of buildings were not taken into consideration. Among other
elements considered were the damage on road network and utilities. Detailed and updated
data need to be prepared in future seismic vulnerability studies for a more accurate risk
estimates.
For this RSLUP, vulnerability of KMC was also interpreted from the concentration of major
establishments in various wards. The location of these different types of establishments
(specialization or sector) on the hazard maps would indicate the potentially affected sectors
(e.g. tourism, commercial). In addition, the common areas between the different land uses of
the 2001 and 2006 land use maps and the seismic intensity map were overlaid and their
exposure qualitatively described.
In the following sections, the existing situation of the different sectors of the planned
environment is described. The implications of the seismic hazard and risks are discussed as
well.
1.4.3.3 Settlements and Population
Initially, the basic demographic characteristics and settlement patterns of the city are
described in so that trends may be known, and later verified if these trends are proceeding
towards unsafe areas, making it a development concern. Trends therefore are reviewed in this
section.
Based on the KVTDC Earthquake Study of 2002, Kathmandu Valley has three main sectors
which can be recognized as urban core, urban fringe and rural hinterland. According to
KVTDC, the Valley may be divided into locality categories as follows (Figure 4.6).
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A. Urban area: urbanized area corresponding to the five municipalities; population density
is mostly over 100 persons/ha.
B. Sub-urban area: relatively urbanized and adjacent to the municipalities.
C. Rural area: non-urbanized area consists of VDCs other than the sub-urban VDCs.
Figure 1-15:
Administrative Boundaries and Locality Classification
Figure 4.7 provides a map of the various wards in Kathmandu City, dividing the area into five
sectors, namely, Core, Central, North, East and West.
The core built-up area is comprised of central areas of Kathmandu, Kirtipur and Lalitpur. For
Kathmandu City, sprawl had already spilled over toward the outer ring road, an urban fringe
immediately outside of the Ring Road. The rural sector comprising the rural hinterland
showed signs of urban influences such as the presence of economic activities directed at
servicing the urban market. This trend is illustrated in Figure 4.8.
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Figure 1-16:
Figure 1-17:
The Five Sectors of Kathmandu City
Urban Place - The General Urban and Rural Settings
Adapted from Source: Serote, 2004
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To date, KMC‟s City Core still maintains its function for worship and tourism. It has,
however, deteriorated over the years. Its form has similarly changed and other sections of the
city have since grown into urban centers in their own right. The expansion has gone beyond
the core area (Durbar square) towards the once rural hinterland and farther outside its territory
resulting into a metropolitan area.
Population density of Kathmandu City at the core area was about 427 persons/ha in 2001,
while those around immediately east and west of the core, it ranged from 800 to1070
persons/ha, with Wards 21, 26, 27 and 28 having the highest densities. Close to the Ring
Road, some ward densities are pegged at around 50-100 person/ha. (See Table 3.2 of Sectoral
Profile) Much of the agricultural land had been converted into urban built-up areas, although
estimates using digital maps reveal about 900 hectares remained agricultural in 2006. This
conversion has sprawled across agricultural lands and towards more fertile areas along the
river flood plains (Figure 4.9).
Figure 1-18:
Population Densities in Ward and VDC, 1999
Summarized below are the issues and concerns identified during Strategic Planning
Workshops. The problems are organized in a cause-effect relationship with the lower boxes
representing the causes (“roots”) and the upper boxes indicating the effects (“foliage”). All
problems and issues are presented from the perspective of the municipal or city government
(institutional sector), which forms the basis for the identification of appropriate intervention
measures or strategies. (Serote, 2005).
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Contemporary urban development in Kathmandu City is observed to be driven by the
following factors: (PWC, 2009)

Influx of population (people pushed out/in by political instability and disasters)
The influx of the population is bound to grow faster than settlements of smaller size. The
main reason may be due to the economic attractiveness of Kathmandu City as well as being
the receiver of people pushed out of certain areas by natural and human-induced disasters (i.e.
natural hazards, insurgency and armed conflict, relocation of squatters) (See Figure 4.10).

Increased income in the city (tourism, remittances, and institutions/centers)
The economy of Kathmandu City may be attributed to the net capital inflow from the incomes
of households, and investments of institutions and government especially in the Central area.
Major contributors to the net inflow include tourist influx, manpower export (remittances
from deployed labor), and presence of major institutions and regional and national
government centers.
Figure 1-19:

Social Issues and Concerns: High Rate of Migration
Ethnicity (ethnic groups outside KMC who are seeking jobs in the city used to live with
the same ethnic groups in Kathmandu City)
Migrant workers/laborers in Kathmandu City would normally locate themselves among
similar ethnic groups or castes. Some of them may obtain their housing and urban
services from the informal market and whatever facilities the host locality can offer. This
rural-to-urban migration results in the build-up and increase of informal settlers, putting
greater pressure on the city‟s scarce basic services (water, sanitation, power, etc.).
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These combinations and ineffective development policies had resulted in the following:

Unplanned use of land. Partly due to the shortage of buildable land and due to the absence
of a clear zoning plan, some house builders were found to have constructed their houses
in places that ought not to be built over or in areas that should not have been encroached
upon (e.g. riverbanks, river easements and road rights-of-way).
Due to inadequate information about possible damages from ground shaking and
liquefaction in certain areas, many builders located their structures without the benefit of
thorough geotechnical investigations thereby exposing dwellers to risks. At present there
are many buildings with compromised structural quality due to this lack of information
and lesser concern about the soundness of their houses/structures against the risks from
natural hazards inherent to the place.

Inadequate housing and urban facilities. There is a high concentration of activities in the
traditional core (heritage area) and central areas. This owes much to KMC‟s role as
Nepal‟s main place for worship (e.g. pilgrimage), commerce and trading. Kathmandu
City and its adjacent municipalities also serve as the regional center for higher education
and health services. In addition to the need for more lands for the expansion of these
urban services and facilities, the city is severely constrained by old and non-framed
buildings (e.g. brick, mortar-based) in the core area. The problem is compounded by
fragmentation of land parcels and partitioning of old buildings, many extended vertically
and horizontally with the same amount of footprint and possibly without the guidance of
trained masons and/or engineers.
A great number of the transient population also exists. The transient population is
distributed in the core and in the central areas determined by the services offered (e.g.
work, education, social functions). The main reasons for coming to the Valley (especially
in Kathmandu City) are work, higher education, medical check-ups, pilgrimages,
bureaucratic formalities, visiting relatives, internal tourism, and official visits. In the last
five years, people seeking jobs overseas have constituted a large proportion of the
transient population. The nature and flow of population depends upon the time of year
and festivals.


Industrial and residential expansion. Urban growth through industrial location or
expansion may have been due to new industries just outside of the ring road to the north.
Agricultural areas are preferred sites in the urban fringes over low-lying vacant lots in
city centers and inner cities. This contributes to the conversion of agricultural lands.
Private-led development (malls and residences). Similarly, new residential areas prefer
agricultural or open sites essentially because of lesser problems in consolidating
fragmented inner land parcels. Demand for urban land is concentrated in areas where new
industrial sites or service centers are located. This further puts pressure to the remaining
agricultural lands.
More suitable lands are owned by large private developers and wealthy residents who
may have banked sizeable quantities of agricultural lands so they could resell their better
located properties or develop them for high-end markets. This leaves low-income groups
to locate themselves in less suitable and high-risk areas.
Settlement Risks to Natural Hazards
The Great Gujarat Earthquake that hit India in January 2001 revealed the vulnerability of
“non-earthquake-resistant” cities and villages. The earthquake killed approximately 20,000
people and destroyed over 300,000 houses. An even closer comparison is the 2010 Haiti
Earthquake which killed in excess of 250,000 people and left more than 2 million homeless.
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The physical vulnerability of Kathmandu is not any better than Port-au-Prince in Haiti; to
some extent it is even worse because of the types of buildings and the very high concentration
of construction. Compared to the Gujarat region, Nepal lies closer to the subduction zone
where the Indian plate passes under the Tibetan plate, and may actually be susceptible to even
larger earthquakes. In 1934, an earthquake of magnitude 8.4 caused serious damage to 60
percent of the buildings in Kathmandu Valley (Figure. 4.11), killing about 4,300 people.
Probability studies suggest that the next great earthquake may occur at any time after around
70 years of silence. As population, buildings and facilities have increased many times more
since1934, so does KMC‟s overall exposure to seismic risk.
The earthquake scenario that is expected to create significant destruction and disruption in the
Valley is the Mid-Nepal Earthquake (Magnitude 8). This earthquake scenario has been set
based on the seismic gap in the middle of Nepal. Except in mountainous areas, an MMI VIII
is expected to be experienced in the Valley under this scenario. If an aftershock of magnitude
7 occurred at a position nearest to the main rupture zone, Kathmandu Valley would
experience MMI VII. Moderate liquefaction potential was identified in some areas along the
Bagmathi River. The anticipated impact of the Mid-Nepal Earthquake scenario is as follows:



Number of heavily damaged buildings: 53,000 or 21 percent of all buildings;
Death toll: 18,000 or 1.3 percent of the total Valley population in the Valley; and
Number of seriously injured people: 53,000 or 3.8 percent of the total Valley population.
Should the earthquake happen today, the losses will undoubtedly be several times higher
because of the population in the Valley has doubled since 1991 (the date for the data of the
JICA study) and the concentration of construction is much greater now.
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Figure 1-20:
Building Damage Distribution, 1934 Earthquake
(Damage distribution from the 1934 earthquake reveals Core Area as the most heavily damaged in the 1934 earthquake.)
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According to an earthquake vulnerability assessment carried out by NSET, more than 643
school buildings or 66 percent of public schools in three administrative districts of
Kathmandu Valley – Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Lalitpur – could collapse given an MM IX
earthquake. Figures 4.11 and 4.12 reveal the distribution of damages to buildings under
different scenarios of ground shaking. Based on prior surveys conducted in the Valley by
NSET, use of traditional building materials, such as adobe, stone rubble in mud mortar, or
brick in mud mortar, is the leading cause of building school vulnerability, followed by lack of
structural maintenance. Of the inspected buildings, 10-15 percent was found to be in very
poor condition, many with roofs on the verge of collapse or walls that could crumble at any
time (Table 4.2).
This is an alarming observation given that schools could play a significant role in the
aftermath of an earthquake as they are typically well-distributed throughout the communities
and could be used as temporary shelters. Initiatives by NSET to reduce the vulnerability of
schools included (a) training of masons on issues related to building earthquake-resistant
structures, and (b) training of teachers, parents, and children on earthquake preparedness.
(EMI, 2005)
Buildings constructed with brick and mortar and without competently designed frames that tie
the brick walls together are typically more vulnerable than buildings made of reinforced
concrete. Many of the buildings in the core area are made of brick and mortar. Age, lack of
maintenance and structural transformations have further weakened these buildings and made
them extremely vulnerable. These are the reasons for the higher estimates of damage in the
core and adjoining wards. Most reinforced concrete buildings in Kathmandu also exhibit high
vulnerability because they were designed and build without any consideration to earthquake
loads. They will not be able to sustain prolonged shaking and swaying induced by strong
earthquakes, but to a lesser degree than the old brick buildings. Among concrete frame
buildings, older ones (20 yearsand more) will tend to be more vulnerable, in general because
of advances in concrete technology and effects of age. . Figure 4.13 shows the distribution of
buildings based on the type of materials, as classified in the 2002 study.
Table 1-6:
Name
Table 2.1 Social and Human Vulnerability of Municipalities in Kathmandu Valley
Population
Death
(%)
Injured
Severe
(%)
Moderate
Total
(%)
(%)
Kathmandu
District
908,672
14,672
1.59
44,318
4.88
75,675
8.33
134,475
14.80
Lalitpur District
292,095
2,366
.81
6,672
2.28
13,075
4.48
22,113
7.57
Bhaktapur
District
187,059
847
0.45
2,251
1.20
4,883
2.61
7,981
4.27
Total
1,387,826
17,695
1.28
53,241
3.84
93,633
6.75
16,4569
11.86
Kathmandu
Municipality
578,738
9,110
1.57
28,220
4.88
47,190
8.15
84,520
14.60
Kirtipur
Municipality
43,802
224
0.51
582
1.33
1,313
3.00
2,119
484
Kathmandu
VDCs
286,132
5,148
1.80
15,516
5.42
27,173
9.50
47,837
16.72
Lalitpur
Municipality
145,399
1,656
1.13
4,727
3.23
9,074
6.20
15,457
10.56
Lalitpur VDCs
146,399
1,656
1.13
4,727
3.23
9,074
6.20
15,427
10.56
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Name
Population
Death
(%)
Injured
Severe
(%)
Moderate
Total
(%)
(%)
Bhaktapur
Municipality
64,927
210
0.32
544
0.84
1,234
1.90
1,988
3.06
Mhadyapur
Thimi
37,526
78
0.21
192
0.51
471
1.26
741
1.97
Bhaktapur
VDCs
84,606
599
0.66
1,516
1.79
3,177
3.76
5,252
6.21
Figure 4.11 provides a damage distribution map of the 1934 earthquake. The figure shows
that majority of the building damage are concentrated in the Core area and the wards
immediately surrounding it, particularly the Central areas.
The Mid-Nepal Scenario, similarly points to the same Core area of Kathmandu City as a very
high risk area. Note the cluster of red grids in Figure 4.12. The Central areas, as well as the
wards around the core are similarly at high risk. Based on the distribution of buildings,
following the dominant type of material in that grid, as shown in Figure 4.13, and the likely
greater number of buildings in the Core, the more catastrophic building damages are likely to
be more in the Core. The dark and light green areas towards the periphery of Kathmandu City
may indicate lesser buildings constructed during the time of the earthquake study before
2002. Given the increases in population and the corresponding densification in the core in the
past decade; as well as, the expansion of built up areas towards the periphery, this risk to
damage distribution is expected to intensify over the same areas. An enlarged image of the
Core and portions of the Central area in Figure 4.14 reveals Wards 18 to 30 are very high risk
areas to building damage and human life loss.
Risk to life such as death or injury is likely to occur where severe building damage and
collapse take place. Figure 4.15 shows that in the Core, where heavy damage or collapse is
likely, death toll or its density is highest. Note that the Central areas follow suit in terms of
casualties and calculated death toll densities. Figure 4.16 shows an enlarged image of the
Core and portions of the central areas, revealing the same Wards 18 to 30 as very high risk
areas. Figure 4.17 reveals the distribution of moderate and severe injuries. The Core exhibited
the highest intensity in terms of injuries per unit area (greater than 2000 persons per sq. km);
but a greater concern is the wider coverage of these intensities, 500 to 2,000 persons per sq.
km, indicating tens of thousands of injured persons, which will be a real challenge for post
event rescue and relief. The post-event emergency operations will also be severally impeded
by lack of access due to debris and collapse buildings. Potential for fire following the
earthquake and hazardous material release could further aggravate the impact of the
earthquake on life loss. An enlarged image of the Core where moderate and severe injuries
are expected may be seen in Figure 4.18.
As a summary, the anticipated disaster in the Kathmandu Valley under the Mid-Nepal
Earthquake scenario is characterized by heavy damage of 53,000 buildings, death of 18,000
people and serious injuries to 53,000 more (based on 1991 census data). The risk to life in
terms of number of deaths and injuries is More likely to be much higher over the same areas
considering today‟s density in buildings and population. A current inventory of building
densities and characteristics, and the number of population and occupancy types need to be
determined in order to get an image of the real conditions in Kathmandu City. These current
estimates on risks are assumed to exist and continue to increase, and forms, in part, the basis
of decisions in strategizing the land use and urban redevelopment programs in this RSLUP.
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Figure 1-21:
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Figure 2.4 Building Damage Distribution in KMC, Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario
(Based on the Mid-Nepal Earthquake scenario, the core area of Kathmandu City faces very high risk.)
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Figure 1-22:
Figure 2.5 KMC Building Materials Inventory
(Use of traditional building materials, such as adobe, stone rubble in mud mortar, or brick in mud mortar is the leading cause of vulnerability and risk. The old buildings in the
Core area are made of these materials.)
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Figure 1-23:
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Figure 2.6 Building Damage Distribution at the Core Area, Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario
(Building damage is expected to be very high in Wards 18 to 30.)
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Figure 1-24:
Figure 2.7 Death Toll Density, Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario
(At the Core, where heavy damage or collapse is likely, death toll or its density is also highest.)
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Figure 1-25:
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Figure 2.8 Death Toll Density near the Core Area, Mid-Nepal Earthquake
(Risk to life is very high in Wards 18 to 30.)
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Figure 1-26:
Figure 2.9 Distribution of Severely and Moderately Injured Map, Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario
(The highest intensity of injuries spread over wider areas (500 to more than 2000 persons per sq.km) indicates that there will be tens of thousands of injured persons that will
be needing assistance in Kathmandu City.)
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Figure 1-27:
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Figure 2.10 Enlarged Image of Distribution of Severely and Moderately Injured, Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario
(The highest intensities of person injuries over the different wards range from 500 to more than 2,000 persons per sq.km.)
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1.4.3.4 Natural Resources and Environment
This section provides a description of the natural environment, based on limited available
materials and prior assessments on the subject. A more detailed discussion of this section is
included in the KMC Sectoral Profile.
Flood, landslides and debris flow. There are more than 6,000 rivers and streams in Nepal,
most of which flow from north to south generally at high velocity due to steep river gradient.
The majority of the larger rivers are snow-fed from the Himalayas. Since the topography of
the country is steep and rugged, with high-angle slopes and complex geology, large quantities
of rainfall during the monsoon season lead to floods, landslides, and debris flows in a number
of cities. In July 1993, the Tarai region experienced a destructive flood that claimed the lives
of 1,336 people and affected another 487,534. In 1998, floods and landslides again affected
Tarai and other parts of the country including the middle Hill region killing 273, injuring at
least 80, and impacting 33,549 families. The floods and landslides also ruined the agricultural
sector, destroying 45,000 hectares of crops. Similar flooding occurred in 1999 and continues
to occur annually.
Flood along Bagmati
Along Bagmati River, eight areas were identified to be hazard prone where residents nearby
the Bagmati River experienced flood problems in the past and included frequent damages to
houses, agriculture lands and other properties. However, the construction of river training
structures at some location had solved the problem but still needed to protect these structures
from human activities along sections of the river channel (especially sand mining areas). In
addition, the residents have the opinion that the tendency to confine the river within narrow
channel through the construction of structures needs to be controlled. (Note: coded Bag-Soc #
in the map).
The 2006 flood in Bishnumati River had damaged the houses, agricultural land, infrastructure
(bridges), roads, religious places (e.g.temples) and the Gumba. The number of vulnerable
houses is six (6) in Gongabu-3 (Bis-soc 2) and ten (10) in Gongabu-4 (Bis-soc 3). Around 15
ropanis of residential land and 145 ropanis of agricultural lands were vulnerable to flooding
impact in these two locations. There had been significant damage to crops in the past.
The upper reaches of Dhobi Khola are having some problems related to bank cutting,
inundation. However, the vulnerability at lower reaches is mostly due to the settlement in the
river floodplain.
Source: The Preparation of Flood Risk and Vulnerability Map of the Kathmandu Valley, Government of Nepal, Ministry of Water
Resources, Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal
Figure 4.19 below presents a map of the river networks in Kathmandu Valley. In 2009, a
study was conducted by the Ministry of Water Resources to understand flood risk and
vulnerability assessment in the Kathmandu Valley. Highlights on the assessment in areas near
and within KMC are as follows:
Bag-Soc1- (Uttar Bahini area): Gorge at Gokarneswor Mahadev blocks the full discharge of
the river then occasionally inundation occurs in the upstream area particularly in Uttarbahini.
Vulnerable structures include a water intake, a private school and about 10 houses. Estimated
damage value of land (10 ropani) and house is 39 million rupees. Damage value to crops is
about 5million rupees covering 250 ropani.
Bag-Soc2- Area between Bagmati bridge at Jorpati and Gaurighat. Inundation during
monsoon due to subsurface discharge.
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Bag-Soc 3: Stretch between old Baneswor bridge and Bagmati bridge at Subidhanagar.
Flooding problem in the area occupied by landless people. About 108 houses are vulnerable
with an estimated damage value of land and house of 3 million Rupees.
Bag-Soc 4: Koteshwor Mahadev Sthan. The area is having bank erosion problem. Residential
land at risk covers 10 ropani and a Madhevthan temple road (10 meters) with a combined
damage value of 100 million rupees.
Bag-Soc 5: Sankhamul area that experience flooding during monsoon. Vulnerable is bridge
and seven houses with an estimated damage value of 20 million rupees
Bag-Soc 6: About 200 m upstream from the confluence of Tukucha experiences a flood
problem. About more than 400 ropani of land is affected and the Kaal mochan ghat is
affected. Estimated damages value of land and house covers 400 crores.
Bag-Soc 7: 500 m upstream and downstream from confluence of Bishnumati and Bagmati
rivers. Inundation and river blockade from solid waste disposal narrowing the river channel.
About 200 vulnerable houses are affected and the Teku ghat. Estimated damage value of land
and house amount to 2 crores.
Figure 1-28:
Figure 2.11The River Systems in Kathmandu Valley
Flood along Bishnumati
Flood risk along the Bishnumati river may be summarized as follows:
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The 2006 flood in Bishnumati River
had damaged the houses, agricultural land,
infrastructure (bridges), road, religious places like temple and Gumba. The number of
vulnerable houses were six (6) in Gongabu-3 (Bis-soc 2) and ten (10) in Gongabu-4 (Bis-soc
3). Around 15 ropanis of residential land and 145 ropanis of agricultural lands were
vulnerable to flooding impact in these two locations. There had been significant damage to
crops in the past. The above figure indicates that, though the river had affected moderate areas
of land, the lands were of high land value in the Valley. The areas around the confluence of
Sangla Khola and Bishnumati River always suffered from inundation. These two locations are
vulnerable to possible impact of flood because of insufficient river training structures and a
narrowed river channel. However, it was noted that the sites which were frequently affected
by the river in the past (Bis-soc 4 and Bis-soc 5) have become safer after the construction of
road corridor and flood walls.





Bis-soc 2: There is inundation problem in the area lying around 500 m upstream from the
confluence of Sangla Khola.
Bis-soc 3: Inundation and bank cutting problem observed around the confluence of
Sangla Khola and Bishnumati River.
Bis-soc 4: Confluence of Mahadev Khola and Bishnumati River. The Gongabu area is
having inundation problem.
Bis-soc 5: Around 300 m upstream from Sovabhagawati Temple is experiencing the
inundation during monsoon season.
Bis-soc 6: Flood problem around Tankeshwor.
Though the construction of river training structures are working to some extent and the flood
problem does not exist at present, the place remains vulnerable because of the narrowing of
the river channel, as a result of occupation of lands by the realty developers. Construction of
river training structures, control to sand mining, conducting awareness program, maintaining
the natural river width are some of the works that the people have identified in order to cope
with the flood.
Flood along Dobi Kola
There are four locations where flood hazards were deemed important. The areas and problems
are as follows:




Dhob-soc 1: located at 500 m upstream from Gopikrishna Hall is having the problem of
bank stability.
Dhob-soc 2: Dhobi Khola at Kalopul. The area is also having the problem of bank
stability as well as inundation.
Dhob-soc 3: 500 m upstream from the bridge at Anamnagar. There is inundation problem
in the settlements of landless people.
Dhob-soc 4: The Buddhanagar area located at 200 m downstream from bridge at
Babarmahal is experiencing inundation problem.
The upper reaches of Dhobi Khola are having some problems of bank cutting, inundation.
However, the vulnerability at lower reaches is mostly due to the settlement in the river
floodplain. Therefore, the people feel that the issues should be properly addressed in order to
reduce the human encroachment.
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(Source: The Preparation of Flood Risk and Vulnerability Map of the Kathmandu Valley,
Government of Nepal, Ministry of Water Resources, Department of Water Induced Disaster
Prevention, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal)
Fires. Fires are a common hazard during the dry season (April-June) when it seldom rains and
the temperature in the Tarai region can reach higher than 35° Celsius. Fires are prevalent in
Tarai and Hill regions where 90.8 percent of the total population lives in very poor housing
conditions. Houses in rural regions, especially Tarai, are composed of straw or timber and
tend to be very close to each other, thereby increasing the risk of fire and fire spread. A major
fire blaze in 1999 killed 39 people, injured 10, and affected 1,065 families. The fire, with
estimated total losses of NRs45.23 million, destroyed 1,035 houses, 52 cattle sheds, and 148
livestock.
Table 4.3 below presents a summary of disasters within Kathmandu City from a 40 year
record (1971-2011). One can note that fire events (295 events) rank first in terms of the
number of deaths, injuries and missing persons, as well as, in terms of damage losses to built
up areas. With forest fires included, it gives a picture that fire hazards are the most destructive
elements. Flood hazards appear to affect lesser numbers of people and very few had been
recorded to die from floods; although, it leads fires in terms of building damages. There is a
short record and lack of damage estimates to indicate destructive impacts of earthquakes.
They may be more devastating when left unaddressed, considering the vulnerability of
buildings and structures mentioned in this land use plan.
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Table 1-7:
Human population death and other losses due to different natural disasters in Kathmandu City, Kathmandu, 1971-2011
Livestock
Education
Centre
Kathmandu
Metropolitan City
Accident
28
30
-
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Boat Capsize
1
2
-
-
-
7
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cold Wave
2
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Earthquake
3
-
-
6
-
-
10
240
-
-
-
9
-
Epidemic
47
27
-
348
72
4,093
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Explosion
13
10
-
9
-
4
-
1
-
-
-
-
65,200
Fire
295
63
50
86
-
698
113
180
3
-
3
2
323,124,300
Flood
17
9
-
1
-
48
5
219
322
16
-
-
50,004,000
Forest Fire
4
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,710,000
Hail Storm
4
-
-
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Landslide
13
12
-
6
-
5
11
-
-
-
-
-
Other
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
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Damaged
Affected
Victims
Injuries
Deaths
Evacuated
Event
Missings
VDC/Municipality
No. of Datacards
District
Buildings
Farming and
forest (Ha)
Human Population
Destroyed
104
Losses Value (NRs)
25,000,000
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Livestock
Education
Centre
-
97
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Plague
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
0
-
-
Pollution
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Rains
5
-
-
-
-
1,080
1
2
-
-
-
-
-
Storm
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
10
-
-
-
-
-
Strong Wind
7
4
-
10
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
Struct.Collapse
48
36
-
87
-
46
26
13
-
-
-
-
Damaged
Affected
Victims
Injuries
Evacuated
70
Destroyed
1
Missings
Panic
Event
Deaths
VDC/Municipality
No. of Datacards
District
Buildings
Farming and
forest (Ha)
Human Population
105
Losses Value (NRs)
344,000
Source : Nepal DesInventar Database, NSET 2011
Note : Nepal DesInventar Database includes for the period of January 1, 1971 to June 15, 2011
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Climate Change Impacts to Urban Environments and Settlements
In the NAPA report (September 2009) of the Ministry of Environment of Nepal, the direct
impacts of climate change may result to disastrous floods and reduce freshwater supplies.
Indirect impacts of climate change could be experienced due to extreme events that may
increase food prices and /or damage livelihood assets of the vulnerable communities.
The report further adds that, climate change is likely to result in increased damage to
buildings, energy services, telecommunications, transport structures and water services,
hence, generally affecting the quality of lives and safety of local communities.
The dense and unsafely built urban environments form the reasons for climate vulnerability.
Continued loss of pervious space through uncontrolled densification and loss of open space
increases urban run-off. These remaining open spaces are incrementally reduced and hence
space for places of escape during major disasters become scarce over the years.
Earthquakes
The risk from earthquakes and its impacts have been extensively discussed in the previous
sections. A few important points can be repeated here:


Nepal is a highly seismic area due to its position along major active tectonic setting
caused by the subduction of the Indian plate under the Tibetan plate, which moves at a
very high geological rate and has caused the creation of the Himalayas. Another
generator of earthquakes in the Kathmandu Valley is the seismic gap zone in the middle
of Nepal;
Since 1255, where the earthquake catalogue starts, about 12 major earthquakes (all
believed to be at least equal or greater than Magnitude 7 have affected Nepal. They
include earthquakes in the following years: 1255, 1408, 1681, 1803, 1810, 1833, and
1869, 1913, 1916, 1934 and 1936 with the M8.3 1934 earthquake being the largest
magnitude recorded earthquake killing 4,300 people and destroying 20% of all structures
in the Valley and damaging another 40%. In Kathmandu itself, one quarter of all homes
were destroyed along with a number of temples in Bhaktapur.
Thus, the historical seismicity indicates a return time for earthquakes of M>=7 of about 75
years in the country.
In terms of intensity, the earthquake catalogue indicates that one should expect intensity 8 or
greater to take place every 36 years on average and intensity 9 or greater every 75 years.
These intensities will cause catastrophic damages in the city.
More alarming is the fact that many of these earthquakes tend to cluster into two zones, one
of them being around Kathmandu, where five earthquakes of M>= 7 have taken place since
1800.
Even more alarming is the fact that physical vulnerability is extremely high because of a
number of aggravating factors, including: The large number of old brick and mortar buildings,
the lack of any consideration to earthquake loads in the design and construction of buildings
and other structures, the lack of structural maintenance, the frequent structural modifications
done to buildings to create open areas for commerce, and the high density of buildings.
Kathmandu presents one of the most vulnerable environment to earthquake among the major
cities in the world.
The high potential for fire following and potential for hazardous material release that could
follow an earthquake due to mix uses of residential, commercial and industrial functions, lack
of enforcement of fire safety and hazardous material regulation, and basic safety
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requirements, as well as high density of buildings. These secondary hazards could aggravate
the damage and losses from the shaking.
The extreme difficulties that will be experienced after an earthquake to organize rescue and
relief operations as well as to deliver any other emergency response function such as ensuring
public safety and fire fighting, due to congestion, high level of debris on the streets and lack
of access due to building collapse and debris.
The extreme difficulties in finding areas for staging relief operations, for organizing
emergency response functions, for providing emergency shelter, and temporary housing due
to the lack of open space in the city.
Critical facilities such as schools, hospitals, public safety buildings, essential public buildings,
banks, and others important facilities are likely to sustain heavy damages and not be
functional after an earthquake.
Damage to infrastructure mainly water, wastewater and sanitation, drainage, transportation
system (including airport and main bridges), power, communication, fuel supply and food
supply systems are likely to also be disabled for several days if not months.
These conditions are driving constraint parameters that need to be resolved in the RSLUP,
through a change of vision and paradigm for development and through education and
awareness. Strategies and actions of the RSLUP would be aimed at reducing vulnerability
and improving emergency management capabilities.
Degraded and denuding water resources
According to a joint study by MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP (2007) titled, “Kathmandu Valley
Environmental Outlook,” the Valley‟s surface water sources, such as rivers and “kunds”, have
received tremendous pressure from increasing population and economic activities. The
pressure on these water sources has also increased over the years as the agricultural sector
intensified its demand for water. Almost all major rivers have been tapped at source for
drinking water supplies. This supply is only about 120 million litres per day (mld) during the
rainy season and 80 mld during dry season, against the estimated daily demand of 170 mld
(NWSC 2001). In dry season, 60-70 percent of the water supply comes from groundwater.
Only 79 percent of the total demand for water of the urban population has been met. (MoEST,
ICIMOD and UNEP, 2007). In view of the climate change impacts identified in the NAPA
report of 2009, there is a need to address these resource issues immediately.
The physical vulnerability of Kathmandu city is a result of several factors related to poor
building planning, lack of land use plan and a supporting transport plan to guide development,
and inadequate technical capacity and resources at the local government level to address
infrastructural demands for health, water, sanitation, and safety. Over the years, the
vulnerability of the population against natural and man-made hazards continue to increase and
at the same time, continue to threaten the remaining resources and amenities, thus further
eroding the quality of life of its residents.
These problems are cross-sectoral and the solutions in each sector need to be integrated in a
plan (Figure 4.19). This has implications on future investment projects that need to be
harmonized to achieve sustainability. For example, in principle, future constructions should
not increase vulnerabilities or risks to already high-risk areas. Another example is that a
proposed decongestion in the core area should be accompanied by appropriate strategies for
housing and possible livelihood or business opportunities in other areas of the city for those to
be displaced or moved.
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1.4.3.5 Land Use and Physical Framework
Shortage of habitable land
The projected population of Kathmandu Valley in 2020 is estimated at 2.5 million compared
to 1.6 million in 2001. (KVTDC, 2002) KMC has the highest gross population density in the
city core and central areas at 437 persons/ha and 139 persons/ha, respectively, in 2001. This
process of densification within the existing Ring Road, as well as the conversion of
farmlands, is likely to continue (MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP, 2007).
The same study by MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP (2007) states that “rapid urbanization in the
Valley has been guided by several factors such as a concentration of political and economic
power resulting in employment opportunities and multiple activities; availability of urban
basic services such as water, roads, electricity, and telephones; proximity to work areas such
as administrative centres and industries; location of an international airport and tourist
centres; push factors in rural areas such as natural calamities, unemployment, and social
stigma.” All these observations apply to KMC.
Taking the Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario as reference, riverside areas are vulnerable to
liquefaction, while all built-up areas in KMC are prone to strong ground shaking. From an
institutional point of view, the existing challenges to urban development, to include the
increasing vulnerabilities, result mainly from a lack of land use plan for Kathmandu City and
from the non-adoption or loose implementation of the Building Bylaws. (KMC, 2001) The
study team similarly describes urban growth as follows: “The growth of settlements in the
Valley is generally spontaneous, and there is very little planning intervention on the part of
the government to guide its directions. The low-density urban sprawl and uncontrolled
settlement development in rural areas similarly pose a challenge for urban managers because
of the high cost of providing and maintaining municipal services.” (MoEST, ICIMOD and
UNEP, 2007)
Continuing loss of open space
In KMC, buildings are rampantly constructed over lots without the appropriate size or
considerations for road rights-of-way. The lack of riverbank protection has resulted in the
erosion of banks, encroaching into adjoining properties and putting the inhabitants at risk.
Unplanned settlements and structures, built without consideration of natural hazards
aggravates the situation. The importance of open spaces should neither be underestimated nor
overlooked. As noted by Serote (2004), “Any city regardless of the amount of land available
must maintain a network of public open spaces. The social, cultural and ecological function of
open space is vital to any level of settlement. In socio-cultural terms, the value of public open
space lies in providing a learning opportunity for citizens to recognize and respect the public
domain. Public open space serves as the city‟s life support system and hence, must be kept in
its open character.”
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Figure 1-29:
Disaster Management-related Issues and Concerns in KMC’s Urban
Development Process
Increasing demand for urban land
Kathmandu City is the oldest city in Nepal. Consistent with its central place functions, the
services and facilities available in KMC also cater to regional needs (Kirthipur, Thimi,
Bakthapur, among others), in addition to the local population‟s.
Conversion of agricultural lands
Due to an increasing demand for urban land, existing agricultural lands continue to be
converted for urban development. Using up open areas in the fringes appears to be the easiest
approach to meet this demand. The land pooling experience by KMC applied only to fringe
areas where cost and rearrangement are still manageable. Hence, attempts to pool land in
highly dense built-up areas are quite unlikely but potentially useful to meet the demand for
new spaces.
Fragmentation of land parcels arising from inheritance
Inheritances of common properties lead to dividing the same property among children and
kin. As a result, a big parcel of land may be fragmented into smaller units in the long run,
making the area more difficult to maximize or densify. Building spaces may similarly be
partitioned to accommodate several households housed therein.
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Backlogs in infrastructure development
Infrastructure development has not coped with the increasing demand for urban facilities and
amenities. It has resulted in overcrowding, housing congestion, unplanned electrical system,
lack of fire safety, narrow streets, lack of open space for shelter, and continued exposure to
disaster risks, among others.
Water supply and distribution problems
Not all households and people in the Valley have access to safe drinking water. The
dependency of households for drinking water on a variety of sources is shown in Table 4.3.
Table 1-8:
Sources of Drinking Water
Source: MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP, 2007
Kathmandu
HH
%
Latipur
Bhaktapur
HH
%
HH
Kathmandu Valley
%
HH
%
Tap
197,851
84.1
57,237
83
30,755
73.5
285,843
82.6
Well
14,714
6.3
6,745
9.8
4,843
11.6
26,302
7.6
Tube Well
13,478
5.7
825
1.2
2,977
7.1
17,280
5
Spout
6,082
2.6
3,099
4.5
2,632
6.3
11,813
3.4
River/Stream
195
0.1
113
0.2
29
0.1
337
0.1
Others
1,616
0.7
477
0.7
277
0.7
2,370
0.7
Not Stated
1,381
0.6
425
0.6
339
0.8
2,145
0.6
Total
235,317
100
68,921
100
41,852
100
346,090
100
Based on the 2005 data from the Department of Drinking Water and Sewerage, less than 75
percent of the total population in the Valley enjoys safe drinking water. Table 4.4 shows the
total population of each district and the percentage of the population receiving drinking water.
Table 1-9:
Population Receiving Drinking Water
Source: MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP, 2007
Districts
Estimated Population
2005
Population benefiting
2005
Percentage benefiting
Kathmandu
1,246,110
947,630
76.05
Latipur
366,010
286,250
78.21
Bhaktapur
244,130
152,270
62.37
Total
1,856,250
1,386,150
74.67
Poor wastewater collection and treatment
Dumping of sewage and garbage into rivers had resulted in poor sanitation and blockages of
drains in the city. In most cases, wastewater flow is ultimately collected in storm sewers, as
the sewage directly flows into the river without any treatment. The problem has been
aggravated by the growth of settlements along the riverbanks. Shortage of water in the river,
especially during winter, leads to rivers virtually being used as sewers, increasing pollution
concentration. Illegal quarrying of sand also causes environmental problems along the
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riverbanks, severely affecting the structural safety of bridges at major arterial roads. (MoEST,
ICIMOD and UNEP, 2007)
Heritage area and environment deterioration
If proper consideration is not given, the natural and cultural heritage will continue to
deteriorate because of environmental pollution which inevitably hampers further development
of the tourism industry.
Conservation and preservation problems of heritage areas cover several aspects such as those
related to institutional coordination, lack of proper preparatory inventories, lack of awareness
and understanding about the culture and development pressures, deterioration of structures,
loss of cultural significance and congestion. The World Heritage Organization‟s Integrated
Management Framework for KMC‟s heritage sites described these in detail as follows:
non-compliance to building regulations by old and new constructions at identified World
Heritage Sites, especially at the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Square and Boudda monument
zones. The issues pertain more on private buildings enveloping heritage sites, development
pressures in heritage sites, and mercantile operations located in close proximity to the heritage
sites which contribute to the wear and tear of the structures;
1. lack of inventory to provide intensive investigation of the historical and archeological
heritage and the lack of inventory of the building stocks that may be required for
retrofitting;
2. lack of community-awareness and appreciation of maintaining heritage ambiance;
3. permitting of the new buildings or alterations in the sites without permission from KMC;
and
4. narrow streets and access to nearby safe open areas adds to the risk particularly in times
of emergency.
Air pollution
Air pollution is caused by emissions from vehicles plying along narrow and winding streets,
which is exacerbated by poor road networks and conflicting land uses In unplanned
settlements. (See Section 8.3.1 of the Sectoral Profile for more discussion.)
Electrical power shortage
Not all households in the Valley have electricity. The proportion of households having
electricity in the three districts may be seen in the Nepal Human Development Report 2001
(UNDP 2002). The overall proportion of households connected to electricity is approximately
95 percent.
Dumping of solid waste
Illegal dumping of solid waste is a common sight in unplanned settlements. These areas are
either not served by the municipal solid waste collection system or the community is not well
organized to handle the problem. (See section 8.1 of the Sectoral Profile for waste disposal
issues and problems.)
1.4.3.6 Transport and Linkages
The main road network inside the Kathmandu Valley consists of corridors, one from east to
west and the other from north to south, along with a Ring Road surrounding the cities of
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Kathmandu and Patan. Several radial roads also exist; some radiating from the city core area
and others from the Ring Road that are not constructed according to Nepal‟s road standards
and possibly less maintained. Aside from these, there are 33 urban roads in Kathmandu
District, 10 in Lalitpur District and 11 in Bhaktapur District. According to the Department of
Roads‟ database, most of these urban roads are narrow and heavily built up on both sides.
Bridges
Since most of the bridges were built and supported by various foreign aid agencies, there is no
uniform bridge design standard in Kathmandu Valley.
Airport
Nepal has only one international airport, the Tribhuvan Airport located in Kathmandu City. It
has two terminals, one domestic and one international. The airport is built on terrace deposits
with stiff ground. In case of earthquake disasters, if this sole international airport is damaged,
not only Kathmandu Valley but the whole nation is in danger of complete isolation from the
outside world.
Perennial traffic congestion
Roads and streets in Kathmandu City, like its establishments and institutions, do not serve the
needs of the local residents only. They are also used by residents from other districts crossing
the city to attend college classes, watch movies, shop, transact business with government and
private offices, and attend religious functions and worship. All vehicles that carry this
volume of traffic must converge in the traditional core and central area where almost all the
traffic generators/attractors are concentrated.
Compounding the congestion problem is the inadequacy of the existing circulation network.
The inadequacy of existing roads is acutely felt along the arterials or those roads that convey
through traffic in the central area. All north-south and east-west vehicular traffic must pass
through the central business district thereby aggravating the traffic condition in the city
center. With the intention of increasing densities in the central area, and near surrounding
areas of the core, the circulation needs to be improved.
1.4.3.7 Natural Hazard Risks to Buildings and Infrastructures
The components of direct damage to Kathmandu City may include buildings for housing,
commerce, industries, tourism, hospitals, roads and bridges and other economic or social
infrastructure such as critical lifeline utilities (water, energy) and facilities (transportation,
communication, sewerage). The impact can be expressed as a percentage of buildings
destroyed or number of breakage points. However, an understanding of the severity of the
impact of the damage on life, livelihoods, delivery of critical services, and potential for
restoration is also important to acquire. These elements were discussed in other sections of the
report including section 4.3.5.
Risk to buildings
There were no official building inventory data for Kathmandu Valley in the 2002 JICA study,
and so the building vulnerability was estimated from the population and household
distribution based on the 1991 census. This is to say that the total number of buildings was
estimated and not obtained from field inventory activities. Data on building material used
predominantly for building construction were used to assess building vulnerability. The age
and height of buildings were not taken into consideration due to unavailability of data and
constraints in doing detailed surveys. Among other elements considered were the damage on
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road network and utilities. Detailed and updated data need to be prepared in future studies.
Thus, the results of the JICA study are very informative of the relative distribution of the
impact of earthquake but could be considered to be low estimates in absolute values. For the
purpose of the RSLUP, the relative information on risk is very relevant to laying out a
strategy and a rationale for land use and development. However, for emergency management
purposes, absolute values of damage and loss are also important. Refer to section 4.3.4 for
more discussion.
Risk to roads and bridges
The density of roads in the Valley, that is, 14 meters per hectare or 5.6 percent of developed
land2, is below international standards. Sixty percent of total vehicles run in roads of the
Valley. With a surge in population, the pressure on existing transportation facilities will
continue to grow. The problem is also escalated due to lesser number of public transportation
modes as compared to private.
According to the Department of Transport Management (DoTM), the total number of vehicles
registered in Bagmati Zone was 246,760 in 2003-04. The total number of vehicles registered
in 2005-06 was 27,262. The present trend in addition of vehicles in Bagmati Zone is
estimated to be around 12 percent per annum. (Source: Sectoral Profile) Table 4.5 provides
the vehicle registration in Bagmati Zone.
Table 1-10: Vehicle Registration in Bagmati Zone, 1998-2006
Source: DoTM
Vehicle type
1998/99
1999/00
2000/01
2001/02
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
Bus
1,526
106
112
114
236
285
198
806
Mini-bus
1,577
33
194
368
232
116
445
242
617
104
292
675
670
Microbus
Truck
5,226
69
189
751
744
540
440
1,007
Car
33,016
2,977
4,681
2,649
2,999
6,788
12,287
3,603
Three-wheeler
4,106
672
171
124
26
40
Motorcycle
81,331
12,886
17,783
22,852
21,558
18,035
20,003
21,604
Total
126,782
16,743
23,747
26,962
26,061
26,465
34,083
27,262
As shown in Table 4.6, the growth of motorized vehicles, especially buses, has been
tremendous in the last five years. The number of three-wheelers such as tempos has remained
fairly static, but the number of buses, including microbuses, has more than doubled in the
same period. One of the consequences of this was an increased competition for passengers,
with resultant congestion at passenger boarding points and unregulated rates. (See Chapter 7,
Section 7.1 of the Sectoral Profile).
2
The Long Term Development Concept of Kathmandu Valley, 2020
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Table 1-11: Annual Increase in Public Transport Units in Bagmati Zone, 2001-2006
Source: DoTM
Year
2000/01
2005/06
Average annual %
growth
Three-wheeler
4,949
5,139
0.95%
Microbus
617
2,358
39.82%
Truck
5,484
8,966
13.08%
Bus
1,744
3,383
18.02%
Minibus
1,804
3,207
15.47%
Total
14,598
23,053
12.10%
Vehicle type
The road network within Kathmandu Valley is inadequate. It has experienced a large growth
in the number of vehicles as urbanization takes place in a rapid manner. The number of
vehicles continues to grow despite the lack of improvement in existing facilities and the
disorganized traffic movement; thereby resulting in increased congestion and accidents. These
in turn, have decreased vehicle speeds affecting road capacity. Roads are not classified
according to vehicle types. With increased vehicular traffic and common tracks for all types
of vehicles in the Valley, traffic congestion is increasing and contributing to excessive
vehicular emissions.
In view of the Mid-Nepal Earthquake scenario, several bridges are likely to be heavily
damaged closing most of the access points in and out of Kathmandu City. Figure 4.20 shows
the bridge damage distribution for the said scenario. The Kathmandu Valley Earthquake Risk
Management Project (KVERMP) has estimated that more than 10 percent road length will be
damaged and more than 50 percent of bridges will be impassable if an earthquake with
Intensity IX hits Kathmandu Valley. (KVERMP, 1997)
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Figure 1-30:
Bridge Damage Distribution, Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario
Almost all bridges connecting the international airport are at risk. Most of them had not been
retrofitted nor replaced, so in the case of the Mid-Nepal Earthquake Scenario, disruption of
traffic may result in more losses. However, no detailed studies for earthquake loss estimation
have been carried out after the KVERMP and JICA studies.
The parts of the road network that will play a vital role during an earthquake were identified
and termed the Strategic Road Network for Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu
Valley (Figure 4.21). It includes the road network linking the Valley to other parts of the
nation, to the international airport and boundaries, to districts, city centers, municipalities of
the Valley, and to water sources in and around the Valley, etc. The Ring Road and other basic
networks important for conducting socio-economic activities during normal periods were also
included in the Strategic Road Network.
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Figure 1-31:
Strategic Road Network
Figure 4.22 below shows the location of other critical facilities exposed to ground shaking
and liquefaction under the Mid-Nepal Earthquake scenario.
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Figure 1-32:
117
Location of Critical Facilities
(Most hospitals are located in the city center.)
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1.4.3.8 On Incomes and Other Services
The increasing pressure of urban development on a city has given rise to a number of other
issues as discussed below.
Loss of cultural heritage. The rich cultural heritage of Kathmandu Valley is believed to
gradually eroding because of the excessive pressure of commercial activities. Historic ponds,
courtyards, public rest houses, and grazing grounds and playing fields are being converted
into private property. Similarly, public lands are being registered as private land for profit and
speculation, while traditional „guthis‟ (trusts), which looked after the management of public
lands, have either ceased to exist or are inactive.
Ineffective education policy. Figure 4.23 indicates that too much politics and ineffective
monitoring of performance of the education sector contributed to insufficient educational
facilities and services resulting further in a less desirable quality of education. The number of
school dropouts continues to increase, while a growing number of people are having less faith
in the educational system because of incompetent graduates and limited employment
opportunities.
Figure 1-33:
Social Issues and Concerns: Poor Quality of Education
(Too much politics and ineffective monitoring of the educational sector‟s policies and performance contributed to
insufficient educational facilities and services.)
Increased crime rate. Fig. 4.24 shows that the lack of skills coupled with poor quality living,
had resulted in lesser possibilities of gaining employment. These may have contributed to the
rise in criminality. Political cuddling and limited support in fighting criminality had translated
into erosion of confidence in the police system and has allowed anarchism of unlawful
elements in the streets, thereby decreasing tourism and lesser faith in the police system.
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Indirectly, this could have resulted in financial losses to the tourism industry as well as
outmigration of residents. These perceptions and beliefs raised in the workshop need to be
validated further in other studies.
Figure 1-34:
Social Issues and Concerns: Increasing Crime Rate
(Lack of skills, poor living quality and insufficient employment opportunities may have contributed to the rise in
criminality.)
Decreasing performance of industries (cottage and others)
A report by MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP(2007) notes the establishment of “Udhyog
Parishad” (Industrial Development Board) in 1935 and the promulgation of the Company Act
in 1936. This paved the way for industrial development in Kathmandu,Valley such as
traditional cottage industries(e.g.,textile weaving (handlooms), brick and tiles, pottery,
handicrafts (e.g. idol making), precious ornaments, traditional food processing and
preservation (such as rice milling, beaten rice, oil milling, sweetmeats, and traditional dairy
products), wooden furniture and carving, bamboo crafts, traditional textile printing and
dyeing, traditional art and paintings, copper and brass metal utensils, herbal medicines,
forges, and cordwaining (leather crafts).
Inspite of these developments, the same report reveals other factors related to political rifts,
power shortage, work-related disputes and insufficient government support resulted to poor
investments and business closures. Where new services are becoming in demand, the lack of
skills and possibly training and education programs for such services are hindering people to
gain employment. As shown in Fig. 4.25, this resulted in seriously poor living conditions and
rise in crimes against persons or the community in general.
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Figure 1-35:
Social Issues and Concerns: High Unemployment
(Factors related to political rifts, power shortage, lack of government support to the cottage
industries and work-related disputes had resulted in poor investments and closure of
businesses. This in turn contributed to a lack of job opportunities, further raising the numbers
of unemployed people.)
Weak institutional capability
At the root of all these constraints is the weak capability or know-how of the local
government to effectively plan and manage its territory (Figure 4.26). Decades of highly
centralized power and resources and the dependence of KMC on the national government
may have made it difficult to address growing concerns by its own; but slowly, steps had
already been taken by KMC which includes this local planning activity. Henceforth, the KMC
officials are sustaining a proactive stance in defining the direction and shaping the pattern of
development in their territorial jurisdiction.
A 2007 study confirmed several of these perceptions and beliefs, noting the following points:
Government is unable to acquire land because of financial constraints while private
developers face difficulties in assembling land parcels.
Developers also face difficulties in procuring land parcels from speculative landowners who
either demand exorbitant prices or simply refuse to sell the land. There is no legal tool that
can be used to acquire isolated land parcels from uncompromising landowners.


Although municipalities are spending a large proportion of their income on personnel
expenses, they have very little trained manpower.
Other institutions are involved in urban development and urban environmental
management, but they have very limited resources and programmes.
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

Most municipalities and other institutions that have responsibilities for urban
environmental management do not have plans and programmes to combat pollution.
Another major weakness of institutions is in regular monitoring and enforcing compliance
with standards and regulations. Nepal has standards for ambient air quality and vehicle
emissions, but these are rarely enforced. (MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP, 2007)
Figure 1-36:
Institutional Issues and Concerns: Weak Institutional Arrangement/Capacity
(Weak capability or know-how of the local government to effectively plan and manage its territory has resulted in
serious problems related to buildings, infrastructure and land use.)
1.4.3.9 Risk to services and livelihood means
The location of establishments relative to the hazard-prone areas initially determines their
exposure. However, the greater risks and negative consequences to the various sectors of the
city are felt in the long term, especially if industries are too specialized and heavily
concentrated in an area and may not be diverse enough to cope with losses. In view of the
limited resource to study thoroughly the service functions of the wards in KMC and outside
the Valley, the service functions defining the urban geo-spatial and economic fabric were
based on a distribution of establishments from different industries in KMC. As indicated in
Fig. 4.27, tourism is concentrated in Wards 1 (Central)and 29(North), with more than three
quarters of its business establishments located in these areas. Estimated building damage in
these areas are moderate to high. Much more critical are the tourism and services in the core
areas which, unfortunately, are expected to experience the most severe damages and loss from
an earthquake, and are likely to be completely disabled for a long period of time. Considering
the importance of tourism and service sector to the economic life and the livelihood means of
the population, these are areas of high socio-economic vulnerability as well and should be
addressed in the RSLUP.
Services are concentrated in the core area but dispersed in other wards. The manufacturing
industries are located in the core, northern and eastern sectors. While damage or disruption to
these services in the core are likely, a detailed study to fully understand the spatial
relationships of these services is necessary to understand better the impact of the earthquake
on the economy of KMC. Even with these limitations, removing non-compatible services
from the core (heritage area) and relocating them to the periphery appears rational considering
the need to decongest the area in order to reduce the exposure of the population. Such
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approach will reduce the risk in the long term but will also enable of more rational use of land
and space.
The identification of appropriate places for relocation is indicative as of this time. Among the
key considerations in relocation are the number and availability of other service functions in
other wards, which should complement available services in these same areas, as well as the
population density to support them. It is assumed that a population density of 60 persons per
hectare would be sufficient to support neighborhood services. Based on the 2001 estimates
and current projections, this density has already been exceeded in most areas of KMC and in
other municipalities in the Valley. Even with these viewpoints and directions, several issues
need to be further addressed, such as the implications of the building bylaws to existing
constructions and urban form and the changes in travel demand these new centers will create,
among others.
Figure 1-37:
Concentration of Business Establishments in KMC
(Many establishments, especially those related to tourism, are located in KMC‟s core and central sectors, which
are believed to be at high risk from earthquakes.)
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1.4.4 Goals, Objectives and Targets
Goals reflect the problems and the actions that may be taken to address them over a long
period of time while objectives are more specific, measurable and time-bound. For KMC, the
main problems identified and discussed may be translated into the following goals:








Reduced and regulated migration ( man-made and climate change);
Reduced vulnerability and exposure to natural hazards and further shocks;
Improve emergency management capabilities
Increased employment opportunity;
Reduced crime rate and greater peace and order;
Strengthened institutional capabilities to carry out functions;
Reduced pollution; and
Improved services.
To meet these development goals, they are broken down into manageable actions over short
periods and become the objectives to be met. Strategies are then developed and described on
how these objectives may be carried out. Tables 3.5 to 3.9 lists down the strategies that were
identified and described by the PWC in 2010 for the following sectors (a) population and
settlements, (b) physical resources, (c) economy, (d) incomes and services and (e) land use
and physical framework. Land use-related strategies are further detailed in the succeeding
chapters.
1.4.5 Implications of Risks on Goals, Objective and Targets
Following the seismic risk information provided, the more important concerns that need to be
addressed are those that pose threats:




To public safety;
To the sustainability of key production resources or employment activities;
To the delivery of basic services; and
To protected areas, flora, fauna, and other protected natural resources.
Hence, the analyses should focus on the implications of these seismic risk information to the
development of specific settlements, production and protection land uses, infrastructures of
Kathmandu City. The resulting problems and concerns arising from this evaluation should be
translated into goals, objectives and targets for risk reduction and increased resilience. The
succeeding Tables 4.7 to 4.11 are the outputs of these analysis and goals, objectives and
strategies formulation. The land use strategies are the suggested policies and interventions so
that sustainable development may be carried through an appropriate land use plan and zoning
ordinance.
In general, the DRR measures may include one or several of the following approaches:


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
Avoid or eliminate - remove a risk trigger or deny a risk- creating activity
Reduce or mitigate - reduce the frequency or the severity by changing physical
characteristics or operations
Share or transfer - shift the risk-bearing responsibility to another party
Retain - fund potential losses with own resources
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1.4.6 Development of Spatial Strategies
The development of strategies started with a description of existing land uses in the city.
Guided by the vision, goals, objectives and strategies to address the problems of development
and land use in Kathmandu City, a framework for future physical development was reached
through several meetings with KMC. The existing land uses, intensities of use and
arrangement for the settlement, production, infrastructure and protection areas were based
from the current land use map. Possible changes in the intensities through redevelopment of
urban spaces, possible conversion of agricultural areas, land pooling opportunities, core area
preservation, possible urban expansion outside of Kathmandu City, and development controls
prescribed by the building by-laws and information on risk formed the parameters for
deciding on the preferred land use. The preferred land use plan that resulted served as the
basis for future utilization of resources and a guide for future developments in KMC.
The following activities were undertaken to come up with the strategies:


Review of existing land uses and trends; and
Assessment of the initial physical framework (i.e. demand management strategies, land
supply strategies, demand and supply integration and physical framework formulation)
In identifying the strategies, the PWC initially defined the land use and urban development
terminologies that may have conflicting contents. From this agreement, the following terms
have been consensually adopted:
Urban Renewal comprises any or a combination of the following programs, as defined by
Weimer and Hoyt (1966):



Rehabilitation-bringing substandard structures to a standard
Conservation-combination of rehabilitation and spot clearance in order to upgrade an area
Redevelopment-demolition, clearance and reconstruction of an entire area
Preservation involves maintaining or rebuilding the site or structure near its original form
and arrangement. Note that the word “conservation” had rather been equated with
“preservation” particularly when referring to heritage sites. For clarity, the urban renewal
described for the Core area is largely preservation (e.g., monuments) and a mix of other
programs or schemes (e.g., redevelopment).
Re-blocking involves realignment of structures to provide alleys and pathways connecting
the interior area to major roads and subdividing the area into residential lots for awarding to
qualified beneficiaries. Serote (2004) mentions four basic principles of re-blocking, namely:
maximum retention of structures and minimum displacement of families;



provision of basic services and utilities;
land ownership by qualified beneficiaries; and
maximum community participation.
Serote defines land readjustment: “Land Readjustment is a comprehensive urban
redevelopment project which provides urban infrastructure such as roads, parks and sewerage
in an integrated manner together with serviced building sites. This is used to transform urban
areas that had earlier developed in an unplanned spontaneous manner where houses are built
in a very dense haphazard way, where public facilities are inadequate, and where the
environment is deteriorating. Land readjustment should result in new public facilities and
utilities that are well integrated with the new configuration of building lots wherein each lot is
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regularly shaped and has a street frontage. In this situation, it is assumed that there is
equitable sharing of costs and benefits for all holders of rights in land.” (Serote, 2004)
The following strategies were reviewed and considered for KMC.
Land supply strategies




In-filling of vacant urban lands in order to maximize use of land and delay conversion
Densification of inner city areas to aid in urban renewal of Core and Central areas. This
includes the construction of new housing sites (e.g. apartment housing, socialized
housing)
Conservation/Preservation of heritage sites and redevelopment of the Core and Central
areas (e.g. land pooling, demolition and new construction)
Agricultural land conversion is the primary approach taken by KMC in order to provide
land; however, this practice has to be regulated through ordinance and strict
implementation of building bylaws (i.e. construction and zoning).
Demand management strategies



Improved city service in the city Core and Central areas
Transfer of future residential population to alternative sites coupled with commercial
corridors proposed in the central and eastern sectors of KMC to decongest the Core and
relieve it from certain functions. Transfer of traffic and a review of carrying capacity of
existing roads.
Relocation or resettlements for illegal settlements (ex. in riverside areas).
Sprawl control strategies
Discussions on sprawl control led to the following suggestions:





Deny further fragmentation of agricultural areas or large lots
Maintain a mixed-use development with strict enforcement of building by-laws (e.g.
maintaining built-up and open area ratio; building floor area ratio-FAR)
Denying utility extension policies (in restricted development zones)
Promote park and open space policies (riverside development, land pooling)
Greenbelts to prevent encroachment by urban development
1.4.7 Development Opportunities
KMC‟s biggest advantage is accorded by its culture and heritage through its public squares,
monuments and old historical buildings. These had generated tourism and commercial
opportunities for fine handicrafts, woven products, food specialties, among others, to flourish.
These areas should be prioritized for protection and management by KMC.
The decision to manage the city according to the mandates of the LSGA provides local
governments such as KMC and other municipalities to take public control over the direction
and pattern of development in their territories. Through this planning exercise, KMC
underwent a learning process (e.g. planning, city to city exchanges) and came to a realization
that within the territorial jurisdiction of the city, the local government can be proactive in
prescribing the use of property to achieve the following results:


Protected areas are respected and preserved for the benefit of all;
Production areas are used sustainably so that the needs of the present and future
generations will continue to be adequately met;
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

Settlement areas are made livable and safe; and
Infrastructure support is adequately and efficiently provided to help Kathmandu City and
the Valley as a whole to become a model in the management of planned change.
1.4.8 Risk Reduction Strategies among Development Strategies
Risk reduction strategies against earthquakes which can appropriately support KMC‟s
development goals and objectives are indicated in the succeeding tables. Originally, the initial
development goals, objectives, and targets were considered in the absence of risk information
from the previous earthquake study results. With the risk information, its implications on the
current and future settings were evaluated. KMC then reviewed the goals, objectives and
strategies previously made. Strategies were made sensitive to the seismic risks evaluated. This
process ensured that the risk concerns and their solutions are incorporated in the previous
decisions. The identified development strategies were then grouped under the following
headings: Populations and Settlements (Table 4.7), Physical Resources (Table 4.8), Economy
(Table 4.9), Incomes and Services (Table 4.10), and Land Use and Physical Framework
(Table 4.11).
The more important strategies and policies towards risk reduction pertain to the following:

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




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

Restrict or discourage new structures in high hazard prone areas (flood, landslides and
earthquakes);
Strict enforcement of a fire code , improve firefighting capabilities and strategically
locate fire fighting stations in Kathmandu City
Provide economic incentives (such as tax relief) to encourage transfer of development
from or discourage development in high-risk areas, especially in congested areas in the
core;
Encourage the removal or relocation of occupants in high-risk buildings;
Set in place mechanisms that would discourage people to acquire or encroach hazardprone areas for redevelopment;
Consider a transport system that is similarly risk-sensitive;
Prepare post-event recovery and reconstruction plans for the Valley;
Pursue urban expansion within the framework of Kathmandu Valley wide development.
Improve capabilities for emergency response by improving access to emergency vehicles,
reducing density (mainly in the core), creating and identification of open space,
identifying and posting escape roads, improving fire fighting and search and rescue
capabilities, and emergency response planning;
Protect critical facilities, such as hospitals, police stations and emergency shelters (e.g.,
pursue vulnerability assessment and appropriate mitigation), water systems, among
others;
Building safer and more resilient structures through better construction methods and
management especially against fire, floods and earthquakes.
Reducing high potential for fire and potential for hazardous material release that could
follow an earthquake due to mix uses of residential, commercial and industrial functions,
through better enforcement of fire safety and hazardous material regulation, as well as
basic safety requirements
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Table 1-12: Population and Settlements
Issues/Problems
Uncontrolled
migration into city
core resulting to
settlements in risk
areas.
Goals
Objectives
Strategies
Regulate
exceedingly high
population densities
in urban core and
adjacent wards
Limit the population density in
urban cores to sustainable
proportions (7 out of 10 core city
wards already exceeding 500 ppha)
e.g. wards no. 20, 21, 23, 24, 26,
27,28 .Possibly decongest the area
within 5 to 7 years
In view of seismic risks, reduce the
number of high risk population in
city core
 Encourage business, commercial opportunities in safe areas in outer fringe areas use exemption, reduction in fees in new businesses Ward 35, 6, 7, 4, 3, 16, 13, 14,
15)
 Provision of additional taxes, fees in the construction, establishment of new
businesses in core – increase rent taxes
 Regulate developments at the core using density control mechanisms such as buffers
and zoning (ex. FAR)
 Decongest / relocate population from the city core who are at high risk to safer
locations outside KMC Identify areas for open space for emergency operations and
shelter
 Incorporate disaster risk reduction and emergency management as explicit goals of
any transport or traffic improvement study (i.e., disaster-resilient transport)
 Promote public-private partnership approach for infrastructure development
 Set in place mechanisms that would discourage people to acquire or encroach hazardprone areas for redevelopment
 Create database of services that are deficient in different areas; and make them
available to investors; conduct information campaign
 Provide incentives to the developers and promoters in terms development controls
e.g. in FAR, permit fees
 Identify safe locations for development outside KMC
 Provide a comprehensive plan for developing outer fringes which should comply
with DRR parameters
 Campaign for Disaster resilient infrastructures
Table 1-13: Physical Resources
Issues/Problems
Urban sprawl in periphery of
KMC (Ring Road, Ward
Goals
Reduce/ regulate
urban sprawl at the
Objectives
Reduce/ regulate urban
sprawl
Strategies
Promote planned and disaster resilient urban development at the periphery (Ward
nos. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 35, 36, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Issues/Problems
21,11,9, Gongabu, Chabhil,
Kalanki, Koteshwor, etc.)
Goals
periphery
Objectives
Strategies
Water pollution - mainly
due to household sewage
and wastes, and industrial
effluents dumped into the
river without treatment
Reduce pollution in
water bodies (mainly
rivers)
 Reduce waste pollution
generation in two main
rivers (Phase 1 - Bagmati
and Bishnumati; Phase 2 Samakhusi, Tukucha,
Dobikhola, Manohar etc.)
from their sewer sheds
 Promote use of septic
tanks and septage
treatment technologies
 Strict enforcement of individual Industrial wastewater treatment
 Sewerage connection to those areas which do not have connection and
development of cost efficient sewage management programs
 Waiver /discount on building permit fees
 Introduce environmental bonds (polluter‟s pay principle)
 Subsidy on material purchase (e.g. cement purchase)
 Promote safe construction of sewerage system
 Incorporate disaster risk reduction measures in infrastructures
 Incorporate DRR in potentially pollutive infrastructures(e.g. hazardous material
release)
High level of air pollution –
mainly due to poor road
conditions producing dust
and particulates, vehicular
emissions, and industrial
pollution due to brick kilns
(Balaju industrial district,
ring road, etc.)
Reduce the air
pollution levels in
KMC
 Proper repair and
maintenance of road
conditions specially along
the Ring Road.
 Construction and
maintenance of sidewalks







Control of vehicular and
industrial pollution.
 Effective implementation of pollution control. e.g. stickers.
Update transport master planning for Valley/KMC
Integrated DRR in planning and construction of sidewalks
Phase wise construction.
Provision of road tolls for resource generation
Involve private companies
Effective cleaning of roads
Phase wise development of specific road sections
Noise pollution – mainly
due to traffic noise
Reduce traffic noise
pollution
Control use of traffic horns.
Along major roads, near
hospitals and universities.
 Define horn free zones.
 Prohibition of pressure horns.
 Awareness campaigning against use of horns.
Flooding resulting in
damages to buildings and
infrastructure along
Bagmati, Bishnumati and
Dobi Kola river stretches
Reduce flooding and
damages due to
flooding.
Reduce flooding along river
front areas
Reduce the affected
population to flooding
Undertake flood risk
 Watershed management of the Balkhu, Samakhusi region
 Study impacts of Climate change in watershed such as earlier snow melt, heavy
spring flooding, increased heat, and decreased water supply, among others
 Implement River corridor improvements specially Bishnumati, Dobi kola and
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Issues/Problems
Increased flooding as a
result of changes &
variability in climate
Goals
Objectives
assessment studies
Strategies
Bamati stretches. Detailed planning of river bank areas.
 Reclaim salvage zone areas and provide easements
 Mitigation of frequently flooded areas (Balkhu, Samakhusi)
Increasing vulnerability to
climate change
Reduced
vulnerabilities before
2030
 Assess and prioritize CC
vulnerabilities and identify
adaptation measures
 Prepare a multistakeholder framework of
action on climate change




Erosion of river banks
Reduce erosion of
river banks
 River bank protection of
KMC river areas
 Improve river corridors of
Kathmandu City
 Construction of retaining walls and the use of bioengineering techniques to
prevent erosion
 Study impacts of Climate change in watershed earlier snow melt, heavy spring
flooding, increased heat, and decreased water supply
 Implement River corridor improvements specially Bishnumati, Dobi kola and
Bamati stretches. Detailed planning of river bank areas.
Earthquake risks (City-wide
)
Reduce vulnerability
/exposure to
earthquake risks
Improve emergency
capabilities
 Risk-resilient transport
and traffic management
studies
 Effective enforcement of
building code compliance
in all new construction.
 Detailed studies of
physical vulnerability of
buildings and
infrastructure
 New and updated
regulation for reinforcing
critical facilities such as
schools and hospitals
 Creation of open space
 A risk sensitive transport planning to support Valley land use planning
 Identification of emergency access roads, emergency escape roads and open
space for emergency operations
 Identify areas for access of emergency vehicles; regulate access of vehicles to
provide priority to emergency vehicles
 Special master planning for preservation and risk reduction at the Core
 Awareness campaign for RSLUP and enforcement processes
 Awareness campaigns for house owners.
 Training of planners, architects, engineers, masons, contractors.
 Conduct microzonation and vulnerability assessment of buildings and
infrastructure
 Regulatory incentives for retrofit of privately owned buildings
 Seismically retrofit and protect historical and cultural heritage fabric and other
public buildings from degradation and damage
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Reduce the threat through prevention
Consider ecosystem approaches in planning Kathmandu Valley (forest)
Implement prioritized activities for climate change adaptation (NAPA, 2009)
Improve the coping capacity of the vulnerable communities by targeting
adaptation in the various sectors ( following the NAPA agenda of action, 2009)
 Promotion of climate and earthquake resilient construction materials
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Issues/Problems
Goals
Objectives
Strategies
 Development of retrofit plans for critical buildings (e.g., schools and hospitals)
and critical infrastructure with rational methodology for prioritization
 Strict checking of building plans and designs during building permit;
Enforcement of zoning provisions
 Inventory and monitoring urban area changes
 Study of post-earthquake planning, rehabilitation and reconstruction
 Review of building by-laws and zoning (sensitive to seismic risks)
 Implementation of Emergency Operation Plan for KMC
 Tap use of resource plans
Reduce earthquake risks to
lives and property. Disaster
mitigation planning,
financing
 Systematic natural hazards mapping to strengthen risk sensitive land use
planning over time
 Development and implementation of emergency operations plan (national and
local)
 Capacity building, training, awareness and resource generation for KMC and
government agencies
 Provision of subsidy in building materials for retrofitting.
 Technical assistance to planners, architects, engineers and technicians
 Promote retrofitting of existing buildings and infrastructure
 Risk-sensitive urban redevelopment at the city core
 Develop and propose an post earthquake disaster rehabilitation plan for KMC
Increase disaster risk from
fire hazards (city core,
fringes, petroleum /gas
outlets and depots)
Reduce fire hazards
risks
Reduce risk to fire hazard in
all areas

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
Fire risk reduction through development control
Strengthen and decentralize fire fighting capacity.
Increase current fire fighting capability
Regulate location and construction of petroleum /gas outlets and depots
Increase disaster risk from
fire hazards (city core,
fringes, petroleum /gas
outlets and depots)
Reduce fire hazards
risks
Reduce risk to fire hazard in
all areas




Fire risk reduction through development control
Strengthen and decentralize fire fighting capacity.
Increase current fire fighting capability
Regulate location and construction of petroleum /gas outlets and depots
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Table 1-14: Economy
Issues/Problems
Goals
Objectives
Strategies
Low incomes, lack of
livelihood opportunities
Increase incomes/ livelihood
opportunities
Provide employment to families
 Encourage export competitive industries
(handicrafts, weaving)
 Provide microfinance to low income earners
Lack of work opportunities in
surrounding regions
Increase work opportunities in the
periphery
Provide employment to families
 Establish economic centers such as along
business sub zones
 Provide centers for employment skills training
Ineffective agricultural
development policies
Increase agricultural productivity
Increase production of remaining areas in the
next 10 years
 Possible agricultural land zoning to discourage
fragmentation of agricultural areas
 Encourage agricultural centers to be developed
near productive agricultural sites ( No
identification was made)
Power shortages occurring
daily
Reduce the occurrence of power
outages
No specific measures given at this time due to
incomplete information
Political instability affects
economic activities (e.g.
tourism)
Resolve political instability
No specific measures given at this time due to
incomplete information
Government support to
industries/ services are
lacking
Provide support to growing
industries/services
No specific measures given at this time due to
incomplete information
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Table 1-15: Incomes and Services
Issues/Problems
Goals
Objectives
Strategies
Poor services, control and
enforcement mechanisms
Improve inter-institutional
coordination
 Make data and information available to
various stakeholders and to the general
public
 Create oversight boards
 Create consumer interest protection
mechanisms
 Coordinated development, repair works by different
agencies( e.g. coordination with w/s, telephony, sewerage,
public works, user committee)
 Development based on integrated planning rather than userdemand
 Reinforcing enforcement mechanisms and regulatory
authority
 Fighting corruption and arbitrary decision-making
Lack of affordable housing
Provide affordable housing
Provide affordable housing by construction
of apartment houses.




Housing/ building stock
deteriorating and made up
of old buildings
Improve housing stock in
the Kathmandu Valley
Improve housing stock in KMC
 Promote housing repairs/rehabilitation/new construction loan
programs
 Encourage owners to have their buildings assessed by civil/
structural engineers and provide the necessary adjustments
Building stock and land use
not following current
building ordinances
Development controls not
followed resulting to poor
access of interior areas, and
irregular shaped areas
Building by laws
implemented
 Building By Laws are implemented
strictly for new construction
 Existing building stock shall be reviewed
for possible and doable adjustments
 MoPPW,KVTDC and KMC jointly implements
inventorying of building by law violations, and joint reviews
on existing FAR with respect to seismic risks
 MoPPW, KVTDC and KMC jointly implements the
Building By Laws, introduce penalty systems and provides
necessary resource for evaluation and monitoring
Limited capacity of KMC
for urban sanitation. The
city„s sanitary capacity
cannot cope with the city‟s
growing waste generation
Improve urban/ rural
sanitation in KMC
Improve sanitation in 35 ward areas in 10
years .
 Provide more city service centers which includes public
toilets, bathrooms,
 Provide sanitary location for slaughter houses
 Provide sanitary location for solid and liquid waste
Housing shortage of 33,260
housing units in 2001
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Provide access to new housing sites
Promotion of socialized housing for low income earners
Improve sites/ services
Private sector-led development of affordable housing
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Issues/Problems
capacity. This brings in
several environmental,
health and sanitationrelated problems for the
city
Lack of an comprehensive
solid waste management
system
Lack of permanent landfill
site
Goals
Improve solid waste
management in ten years
Objectives
Improve solid waste management in KMC
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Strategies
management facility in the city (landfill, recycling station,
transformation, waste reduction centers)
 Segregation of decaying and non decaying materials at the
source.
 Promoting chemical composting process.
 Campaign for 3R. i.e. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
 Promote solid waste management program for the city
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Table 1-16: Land Use and Physical Framework
Issues/Problems
Goals
Objectives
Strategies
High risk public buildings
and infrastructures under
strong earthquake events
Urban renewal of
city core
Provide protection to heritage sites,
buildings in Core area against strong
earthquake events and heavy influx of
tourists and local visitors
 Provide phasing of preservation and redevelopment of heritage sites
and surrounding areas
 Improve sites/ services in nearby areas and those sites serving visitors
of heritage sites
 Private sector-led development of affordable housing: re-blocking
 Open up a network of linear and central parks ;Improve access and
reduce congestion
 Protect human potential and livelihood means
 Development of an Earthquake Rehabilitation Master Plan
Occupation of easements
and public areas prone to
flooding (illegal
structures)
Removal of illegal
structures in
easements, public
owned areas
Removal of squatters in riverside areas
Socialized (affordable) housing for urban poor
Absence / Poor
implementation of urban
land development controls
and building codes,
ordinances
Enforcement of
development
controls and
building ordinances
Implement urban land development
controls and building codes
 Review of development controls for development sprawl in peripheral
areas
 Development of new building and layout ordinances in view of the
earthquake risks-initiate micro-zonation
 Urban wastewater and storm water management
Deterioration of urban core
public buildings, squares
and monuments
Well conserved
historic city core
 To preserve and rehabilitate historic
public buildings
 To improve tourism based commercial
activities in historic buildings /
adaptive re-use
 To continue socio-cultural practices in
historic settings
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
Congestion of buildings in
the city core and in
adjacent areas
Balanced ( built and
un-built spaces
integrated) and
compatible urban
 To reduce congestion through
promotion of more city centers
 Move unrelated commercial activities outside city core
 Follow Integrated management framework for these heritage sites
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Provide incentives to historic buildings
Increase awareness on significance of historic buildings
Strict enforcement of bye-laws
Promote use of historic buildings
Develop local area plans
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Issues/Problems
Goals
development
Objectives
135
Strategies
Congestion due to mixed
traffic and through traffic
Improve circulation
in the City core and
central areas
Improve through
traffic (north-south,
east-west directions)
 Implement a traffic and transport
management plan in Kathmandu City
within the next ten years.




Improve operations of public transport (specially buses)
A traffic management plan for the central area
Pedestrianization of core area with appropriate transport linkages
Provide alternative routes to reduce vehicular congestion
Lack of affordable housing
Provide affordable
housing
Provide affordable housing to reduce
housing backlogs




Provide access to new housing sites
Socialized housing
Improve sites/ services in fringe areas
Private sector-led development of affordable housing
Conflicting land uses
especially with areas
needed for protection ( e.g.
primary forests, natural
habitats)
Identification of
Protected areas, and
areas with
conflicting land uses
Protect land in fringe areas from abuse,
misuse and under use in conflict areas
 Regulate land use/conversion in areas
 Refine RSLUP
Fragmentation of parcels in
inner core and in peripheral
areas
Standardized land
parcels
 To obtain developable land parcels
 To discourage slab/tower built
structures




Regulate land/building sub-division
Discourage vertical division of building
Develop proper land sub-division regulations
Legal provision for horizontal division of buildings
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1.5
Towards a Preferred Urban Form
The constraints and opportunities discussed in Chapter 4 point to the need to bridge the gap
between KMC‟s vision and the current reality. This requires spatial strategies that will
contribute to achieving the desired scenario. The chosen urban form will serve as a
framework for a detailed allocation of space and location of various activities and facilities
for the planning period. Two scenarios could result depending on the interventions that are
introduced by major stakeholders. One is called trend scenario, where past and current
conditions simply continue. This happens when there is no major government or private
intervention other than those that are already on-going, programmed or committed. The other
scenario is called development scenario, which occurs when major government and private
sector interventions are introduced. The latter will produce new patterns of growth and create
discontinuities in current trends. (Serote, 2004)
1.5.1 Demand-Supply Balancing of Land Requirements
The process of generating alternative spatial strategies for KMC involved five sets of
activities namely, (a) available supply and projected demand for land, (b) demand-supply
balancing of urban land requirements; (c) map overlaying or sieve analysis; (d) generation
and characterization of alternative urban forms; and (e) evaluation and selection of the most
preferred spatial strategy. These are discussed in more detail in the succeeding sections.
Land, as the platform of activities, is finite while population and socio-economic development
activities increase through time. Demand-supply balancing seeks to determine whether there
is adequate supply of land to meet the projected demand for urban use 10 years hence, which
is the timeframe used for this planning exercise. This activity proceeds as follows: (a)
projection of future demand; (b) assessment of land supply; and (c) matching demand with
supply.
Available Supply and Projected Demand for Land
As shown in Table 5.1, residential land use covers more than 50 percent of the total land use
in Kathmandu City. The urban area covering residential, business, service and mixed use is
3,720 hectares or about 72.9 percent of the total land area. Agricultural area covers about 911
hectares, while a disproportionate amount of greens total to only 911 hectares. Residential
area by wards is larger in the East and West sectors, where mixed-use “other residential
areas” categories are found. At the Core and Central sectors, the areas are smaller. The
residential areas in the North Sector have slightly bigger areas than near the Central Sector
areas. For settlements planning, certain parameters should be determined to assess the true
availability of land supply. These include actual use, existing densities, built up to non-built
up occupancy ratios, and actual building floor to area ratios (FAR). Given the constraints in
resources in coming up with such inventories, assessing the capacity of the 2006 land use to
carry the future population was taken using several assumptions, namely: (a) the estimate of
13 square meters per person (See Table 4.4.1 in Sectoral Profile); (b) use of 5 members per
household, which translates to about 65 sq.m housing for a family of five; (c)the use of
FAR=1 or 2; and (d) the ratio of built and un-built areas of 0.5. Table 5.1 below displays the
scenario used in the plan.
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Table 1-17: Land Use Distribution in Hectares, 2006
Source: T. Pradhan, KMC GIS
KMC
East
6
7
8
9
10
34
35
North
1
5
11
31
32
33
Center
2
3
4
16
29
Core
12
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
30
West
13
14
15
Residential
2709
Agricultural
911
Business
96
Service
558
Greenary
313
Mixed used
357
Total
5100
188
137
34
128
133
180
206
146
7
27
2
6
20
128
0
0
0
1
2
1
5
2
0
36
102
1
18
30
8
4
88
5
7
2
4
12
8
20
39
7
9
11
356
174
245
286
157
232
411
45
62
37
33
59
74
0
8
5
0
6
0
14
0
8
5
2
0
66
5
27
19
48
1
1
1
15
30
0
0
9
2
54
14
10
10
138
79
151
104
128
86
72
147
241
192
101
0
85
36
150
34
3
0
0
28
5
1
56
12
13
25
0
24
13
49
12
5
5
4
19
22
82
318
321
456
200
22
55
16
11
9
12
8
6
3
3
3
5
4
13
5
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
2
2
0
0
0
1
11
1
0
0
1
0
3
0
1
1
0
0
1
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
8
2
2
4
3
4
4
3
4
1
3
2
5
51
66
18
16
16
15
19
10
9
10
4
8
7
26
156
187
129
26
127
92
9
0
0
13
9
47
3
11
36
14
19
10
223
364
316
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The first row of numbers in Table 5.2 assumes that potential residential areas, as identified in
Table 5.1, are available and that all possible residential areas assume a FAR of 1.0 and that
only 50 percent of the land area can be built upon by housing or residential structures. The
second condition describes increasing the FAR to 2.0 to indicate more intense use and having
a similar ratio of 0.5. The ratio of 0.5 somehow assures that open spaces are created when
constructing residences and allows for the easements and road right-of-way. These
assumptions are within the FAR ranges prescribed by KVTDC for various residential uses,
which may reach as high as 4.0.
Table 1-18: Assumptions in Estimating Capacity of Residential Land
Conditions
FAR
Ratio of Built-up
area to Land Area
1
1.0
0.5
2
2.0
0.5
In Table 5.3, the two scenarios are given in columns 5 to 7 and columns 8 to 10. Columns 5
and 8 are estimates of the population capacity of the residential areas in each ward identified
in Table 5.1. Columns 6, 7, 9 and 10 reflect the remaining population that needs to be housed.
The following expressions help clarify the numbers shown.
Col. (5 or 8) Residential capacity (Rc) =
[FAR x (Ratio) x Ward area (Has.) x 10,000 sq. m. /ha]  13 sqm/person
Ex. Ward 6 Rc 2020 = [1.0 x 0.5 x188 has. x 10,000 sqm/ha]  13 sqm/person =72,308 person
Col. (6,7 or 9,10) Pop‟n to be housed further =
Pop‟n Projection (Yr in Col. 4) – Residential capacity (Col 5 or 8)
Ex. Pop‟n to be housed further (2020) = 182,833 (in2020) – 72,308 (in 2020)=110,525person
Condition 1: The numbers in column 6 and 7 mean that with a FAR=1, and ratio of buildable
land to total residential land as 0.5, the following interpretations are given:



In the East sector, the projected population in either 2015 or 2020 cannot be
accommodated by its allotted residential areas. Wards 6, 7, 9, 10, 34 and 35 are likely
to be congested if population is to be housed in the same areas. Ward 8 has enough
space to accommodate less than a thousand but this is likely to be exceeded in 2020.
In the Central sector, Wards 5, 11, 31 and 32 buildable area with this FAR cannot
accommodate the population projected. Ward 1, based on either year can accommodate
its own population. Ward 33 exceeds its capacity under this condition in 2020.
In the North, the heaviest concentration of population is in Ward 16 and capacity based
on this FAR and percent buildable area cannot meet the increases in population. Ward 3
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

apparently remains available for densification while Wards 2, 4 and 29 will exceed their
limit in 2020.
In the Core, population can no longer be met by the available residential land in either
year, revealing a similar congestion, even if a FAR of 1 is maintained. As a heritage
site, a FAR of 1 is somehow reasonable, since high rise buildings are not to be allowed
to obstruct the monuments.
In the West area, the population cannot be maintained by the available land area in
either year.
To facilitate possible strategies, columns 6 and 7 are shaded red indicating the space in these
areas that can no longer support the housing requirements of its population. These areas need
be decongested or possibly re-planned. This may also be identified by having a (+) excess
number in 2015 and a (+) excess number in 2020.
A yellow shade indicates that the population capacity may be exceeded in 2020 but possibly
not in 2015. Raising the FAR in these areas may create available buildable space, though
vertically. This may be identified by having a (+) excess number in 2015 and a (-) available
capacity number in 2020.
A green shade may indicate possibility of land areas available for expansion and planned
development. This may be identified by having a (-) available capacity in 2015 and a (-)
available capacity number in 2020
While these are simplistic assumptions, it is indicative of the possible congestion that may
result and the areas which may need possible expansion or densification. An actual inventory
in these areas is needed.
Condition 2: The numbers in column 9 and 10 mean we raise the FAR=2 while maintaining
the ratio of buildable land to total residential to 0.5 to provide the open spaces. It is given the
following interpretations:





In the East sector, the projected population by 2015 or 2020 cannot be accommodated by
its allotted residential areas. Wards 7, 34 and 35 are likely to remain congested even if
doubling of the FAR is set. Wards 6, 8, 9 and 10 have enough space to accommodate its
own population but likely to be exceeded in 2020.
In the Central sector, Wards 5 and 31 can accommodate the population projected in 2015
but unlikely in 2020. Wards 11 and 32 still remain congested as raising the FAR to 2 may
not solve the problem of providing buildable spaces. Wards 1 and 33 can accommodate a
larger population and may be possible for densification.
In the North, the heaviest concentration of population to be housed still remains in Ward
16, even if a FAR of 2 is maintained. Ward 3 increases its capacity along with Wards 2, 4
and 29 even up to 2020.
In the Core, for most areas, even raising the FAR to 2 will no longer meet the projected
population in either year, revealing a truly congested situation.
In the West, raising the FAR to 2 increases the residential capacity and can meet
residential demand in 2015 but not in 2020.
Column 11 provides strategies which may be looked into; however, the recommendations still
require validation from an inventory of areas available for infill, densification or limited
expansion. Given the large numbers of population to be housed, it is a likely possibility that
new sites outside of KMC may need to be explored for residential uses. This necessarily will
result in a Valley-wide view of development with the other municipalities serving as centers
of services.
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Table 1-19: Estimates of Projected Population against FAR-Based Capacities of Residential Areas
KMC
(1)
(2)
Population
Census
(3)
YEAR 1991
SECTOR
EAST
CENTER
Population Projection
(4)
2001
2015
2020
2015
49703
2015/2020
FAR=2
(Ratio=0.50)
144615
Population to be Population to be
housed further
housed further Recommendation
(person)
(person)
(9)
(10)
(11)
2020
2015
38218
-22604
raise FAR
WAR
D
6
17509 39316
81423
2015/2020 2020
FAR=1.
(Ratio=0.5)
122011 182833 72308
110525
7
19797 39530
73658
104084 147078 52692
94386
51392
79038
68040
25046
decongest
8
7756
11252
12410
13687 13077
610
-667
19615
-5928
-7205
raise FAR
9
16516 29263
48966
65178
86757 49231
37526
15947
73846
12911
-8668
raise FAR
10
12806 25977
49096
69925
99592 51154
48438
18771
76731
22861
-6806
raise FAR
34
20045 46136
97695
148213 224856 69231
155625
78982
103846
121010
44367
decongest
35
12467 35184
89510
150370 252612 79231
173381
71139
118846
133766
31524
decongest
Total
106896 224840 439030 636723 923436
1
8731
8464
8231
8104
7979
17308
-9329
-9204
25962
-17983
-17858
5
8646
15340
25700
34233
45598 23846
21752
10387
35769
9829
-1536
expand,
densify
raise FAR
11
10055 15244
22169
27296
33609 14231
19378
13065
21346
12263
5950
decongest
31
12455 14502
16630
17945
19364 12692
6672
5253
19038
326
-1093
32
14613 24355
38570
49794
64284 22692
41592
27102
34038
30246
15756
decongest
33
17925 21597
25541
28035
30773 28462
2311
-427
42692
-11919
-14657
expand
Total
72425 99502
132428 155222 181938
2
9163
13655
19553
23870
29139 27692
1447
-3822
41538
-12399
-17668
expand,
densify
3
14347 20782
29008
34913
42019 56538
-14519
-21625
84808
-42789
-49895
expand,
densify
9434
2010
Residential Population to Population to be Residential
capacity
be housed
housed further
capacity
further
(person)
(person)
(person)
(person)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
NORTH
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KMC
CORE
WEST
Population
Census
Population Projection
4
15337 29539
53283
73946
16
21286 45450
89956
29
19179 24543
30642
Total
79312 133969 214735 279085 362718
12
9940
10313
10661
10859
17
11605 19876
32259
18
8081
8065
8051
19
7588
7400
20
8920
8240
21
22
Residential Population to Population to be
capacity
be housed
housed further
(person)
(person) further (person)
102622 92692
Residential
capacity
(person)
141
Population to be Population to be
housed further
housed further Recommendation
(person)
(person)
expand,
densify
9930
-18746
139038
-36416
-65092
131447 192074 73846
118228
57601
110769
81305
20678
34663
366
-4183
58269
-19057
-23606
expand,
11061 8462
2599
2397
12692
-1631
-1833
expand
42217
55249 21154
34095
21063
31731
23518
10486
8043
8035
6154
1881
1889
9231
-1196
-1188
expand
7235
7145
7056
4231
2825
2914
6346
710
799
decongest
7672
7374
7088
3462
3626
3912
5192
1896
2182
decongest
12383 12369
12356
12349
12342 4615
7727
7734
6923
5419
5426
decongest
7884
5840
4458
3837
3302
3077
225
760
4615
-1313
-778
decongest
23
8711
8289
7927
7732
7543
2308
5235
5424
3462
4081
4270
decongest
24
6288
5272
4499
4119
3772
1154
2618
2965
1731
2041
2388
decongest
25
5744
4310
3328
2883
2497
1154
1343
1729
1731
766
1152
decongest
26
4248
3764
3376
3178
2991
1154
1837
2024
1731
1260
1447
decongest
27
8112
7789
7509
7358
7210
1923
5287
5435
2885
4325
4473
decongest
28
5077
5462
5833
6051
6276
1538
4738
4513
2308
3968
3743
decongest
30
11033 9896
8973
8498
8049
5000
3049
3498
7500
549
998
decongest
Total
115614 116885 118041 118688 119339
13
14746 29721
55849
79288
112565 60000
52565
19288
90000
22565
-10712
raise FAR
14
18425 34488
60632
82953
113491 71923
41568
11030
107885
5606
-24932
raise FAR
15
19627 32441
50993
65559
84285 49615
34670
15944
74423
9862
-8864
raise FAR
52798 96650
166544 225331 304868
Total
466708
-104312
39212 38846
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Another way of estimating the land requirements is to use planning standards for land
allocation. The standards set by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board of the
Philippines was used initially to ascertain demand for land for various uses and later checked
against total land supply for KMC. Where demand for land exceeds available supply, this
indicates possibility of looking for open areas elsewhere.
The demand for land uses depends on the number of future population and the standards set
by government for the particular land use. By the year 2020, the demand for various types of
land uses will become more intense and may no longer be able to accommodate the demand
for Kathmandu City as shown in Table 5.4 below. As the population of Kathmandu is
expected to grow to 1,589,214 by 2020, the demand for residential land will likewise increase
to 4,131.96 hectares by 2020, while infrastructure use will require another 3,019.51 hectares.
Combined with future demand for all other land uses, the city would not be able to
accommodate these demands given KMC‟s finite supply of land which totals 5,076.6
hectares. The city would need to maximize the use of land or find alternative strategies such
as vertical expansion, urban expansion outside of KMC, etc. in order to accommodate the
projected demand for future uses of land for its growing population.
Table 1-20: Land Use Demand Projections, 2020
SECT
OR
Projected
Populatio
n 2020
Commercial
0.1 ha per
1000
Industrial
0.8 ha per
1000
Residential
2.6 ha per
1000
Infrastructure
1.9 ha per 1000
Institutional
0.3 ha per
1000
Parks/Open
0.05 ha per
1000
EAST
923436
92.34
738.75
2,400.93
1,754.53
277.03
46.17
CENT
ER
181938
18.19
145.55
473.04
345.68
54.58
9.10
NORT
H
362718
36.27
290.17
943.07
689.16
108.82
18.14
CORE
119339
11.93
95.47
310.28
226.74
35.80
5.97
WEST
304868
30.49
243.89
792.66
579.25
91.46
15.24
TOTA
L
1,589,214
158.92
1,271.37
4,131.96
3,019.51
476.76
79.46
Note: Planning criteria are based on standards set by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Philippines,
2007.
1.5.1.1 Matching Demand with Supply
Inventory of the supply of buildable land within KMC still needs to be pursued in order to
identify available urban land for the next ten years. The sites that were initially explored in
this study were taken from the recommended locations in the Kathmandu Valley Earthquake
Study in 2002 and from the zones identified “as other residential areas” in the KVTDC land
use plan. Possibilities of infilling and densification appear few, with the exception of land
pooling and use of land from institutional zones. At this time, the quantifications are limited
and suggestions made herein are essentially based from evaluations of recent remote sensed
images and with reference to the earthquake study results and the KVTDC 2007 land use
map. The Kathmandu Valley land use map, shown in Figure 5.1, already indicates that new
development sites are only possible in VDCs and identifies KMC as mostly urban with little
pockets for expansion.
In-filling of vacant urban lands
Vacant lands are land parcels within existing developed areas that were bypassed by
development and remain unutilized. When these lands are put to use, the process is known as
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“in-filling.” Due to limited resources available for producing an inventory of these areas,
KMC initially identified the sites through previous maps. However, these areas for possible
in-filling need to be surveyed, and the amount and size of land recorded. In previous
meetings, the PWC had expressed their reservation regarding the availability of such areas in
KMC. There is very little public land for in-filling as most open spaces are from privately
owned lands, where government has little control. Part of these open spaces may be
recognized by the dispersed white spaces in Figure 5.2.
Figure 1-38:
Kathmandu Valley Land Use Zoning Map, 2007
Source: KVTDC, Building Bylaws 2007
(New development sites are only possible in VDCs as there are little pockets for expansion available within
KMC.)
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Figure 1-39:
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Land Use Zoning Map, 2008
(Vacant areas in KMC are shown as dispersed white spaces.)
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Densification of inner city areas
Increasing the FAR in areas of low hazard and designing structures appropriately to withstand
strong ground shaking appear to be a feasible option to take. For residential purposes, this
approach towards densification can be pursued through land pooling in zones identified as
“other residential sub-zones.” This may actually be easier said than done, especially when
applied in moderate to highly dense areas, as there are likely oppositions to readjusting
privately owned land for provisions of easements and open spaces, efficiency of use, road
widening and putting order in the arrangements following the building by-laws. The
perception that exclusive use of land amounts to absolute control in the use of the land makes
government interventions for controlling land development for public benefit and welfare
impossible. In high valued areas, redevelopment costs can be recovered through increased
FAR. Pursuing densification shall be guided by the Nepali Building Code and the KVTDC
land use zone in general. New areas for commercial operations or new areas for housing
(e.g., apartments, townhouses or row houses, high-rise structures) suggested in this RSLUP
aim to decongest the core, leaving the heritage area available only for compatible uses.
In view of the seismic risks identified in the 2002 JICA study, the densification of areas must
initially be subjected to site hazard assessment or seismic microzonation studies. These will
aid in sensitizing the FAR and height parameters suggested in the Building Bylaws of 2007.
Urban renewal in slum and blighted areas
Strongly related to the strategy on densification, urban renewal or redevelopment of slums
and blighted areas usually results in increased densities in inner city areas surrounding the
core (i.e. heritage area). Residential density increases when dilapidated make-shift structures
are converted into row houses or medium-rise walk-up units. Potential urban renewal projects
surrounding the core, specifically in the dense mixed residential sub-zone immediately
surrounding the heritage buffer zones can be targeted.
The urban renewal will be complemented by riverside development programs possibly
connecting to open spaces and parks. These may be found along areas of the Bagmati and
Bishnumati Rivers, as identified in the Bhagmati River Development Plan. New
developments shall be regulated, including the provision of a 100 meter buffer strip
surrounding the main rivers.
Preservation of World Heritage Sites
There is a strong advocacy to preserve the monument zones and buffer zones of heritage sites.
The Integrated Management Framework prepared jointly by the Government of Nepal,
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the Department of Archaeology
provides the principles and guidelines for conserving the monuments, the necessary building
bylaws and the process for rectifying buildings which are inappropriate in the monument
zones.
Agricultural land conversion
Among the supply augmentation strategies available to KMC, agricultural land conversion is
considered the most feasible. The absence of irrigation infrastructure and other agricultural
support facilities render the remaining croplands marginal. The conversion of these areas
requires approval, the rationale for which is often based on the non-productivity and
unsuitability of the land for agricultural purposes.
Valley-wide development
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Given the limited space for new development sites within Kathmandu City, the Valley-wide
perspective of expanding in new areas appears viable since KMC and other municipalities,
namely, Bakthapur, Thimi, Lalitpur and Kirthipur, can be developed to host region-wide
services. With densities of at least 60 persons/ha the VDCs can ably support new economic
centers located close to these cores. A valley-wide transport plan supporting the new roles of
these centers can relieve congestion in KMC and offers a fresh chance of planning the land
use of the Valley with the disaster risks in mind. This may not only help achieve sustainability
for KMC, but for the Valley as a whole.
Towards a risk-sensitive transport plan
The zoning system used in describing traffic trends is based on the aggregated zoning system
from the 1993 JICA Study on Kathmandu Valley Urban Road Development. The complete
zoning system of the JICA Study consists of 41 traffic analysis zones (TAZ). Of these, 18
zones cover the KMC. The aggregated zone system consists of 25 individual zones. Table 5.5
presents the description of the zoning system.
Table 5.6 shows the correspondence of among the TMZ, KMC wards and the Planning Zones
within and around the immediate vicinity of the KMC administrative area. The core area is
represented by Zone 1 in TAZ while the central area corresponds to Zones 3 and 4. With the
correspondence between the planning zone and traffic zones clearly identified, various future
land use and redevelopment scenarios can be reflected in the transport analysis. For example,
a reduction in the population and land use activity of the core area implies a decrease in the
total number of trips coming out and going into Zone 1.
Table 1-21: Traffic Analysis Zone Description
Source: JICA Study on Kathmandu Valley Urban Road Development, 1993
Zone
City/Municipality/Villages
1
2
3
4
5
Kathmandu Metropolitan City
6
7
8
9
10
11
Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City
12
13
14
Bhaktapur Municipality
15
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality
16
Alapot, Bhadrabas, Thali, Danchhi, Mulpani, Gothatar
17
Nagarkot, Changunarayan, Chhaling, Duwakot, Jhaukhel
18
Bagesowri, Sudal, Tathali, Kautunje, Balkot, Dadhikot, Sipadol, Chitapol, Nankhel, Gundu,
Sirutar
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Zone
City/Municipality/Villages
19
Imadol, Tikathali, Lubhu, Siddhipur, Harisiddhi, Lamatar, Godamchau, Thaiba,
Bisankhunarayan, Godawari
20
Sainbu, Khokana, Dhapakhel, Sunakothi, Bungamati, Theco, Jharuwarasi, Chhampi,
Chapagaun, Badikhel
21
Kirtipur Municipality, Machhegaun, Chalnakhel, Talkududechour, Sheshnarayan, Satikhek,
Daxinkali, Chhaimale, Dukuchhap
22
Ichangunarayan, Bhimdhunga, Ramkot, Sitapaila, Chouketar Dahachok, Badd Bhanjyang,
Seuchatarm Naikap Purano Bhanjyang, Balambu, Thankot, Naikap Naya Bhanjyang,
Tinthana, Mahadevsthan, Satungal, Matatirtha
23
Sangla, Kabhresthali, Jitpurphedi, Futing, Dharmasthali, Goldhunga, Manamaiju
24
Jhor Mahankal, Budanilkantha, Chapali Chandeshwori, Chunikhel, Tokha Saraswoti,
Mahankal, Khadka Bhardrakali Gongabu, Dhapasi
25
Sundarijal, Nanglebhare, Lapsephedi, Baluwa, Nayapati, Gagalphedi, Bajrayogini (Sankhu)
Gokarneswor, Kapan, Indrayani, Sankhu Suntol, Jorpati, Sankhu Pukhulachhi
Table 1-22: Comparison of Zoning Systems
Source: JICA Study on Kathmandu Valley Urban Road Development, 1993
Planning Zone
TAZ
KMC Wards
Core
1
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,
27, 28, 30
Central
3, 4
1, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19,
20, 30, 21, 31, 32, 33
South
9, 10, 11, 12
Lalitpur SubMetropolitan City
North
2, 7
2, 3, 4, 16, 29
West
5, 6
13, 14, 15
East
8
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 34, 35
Business-as-usual scenario
As discussed in Chapter 7, Section 7.1 of the KMC Sectoral Profile, the analysis of businessas-usual (BAU) traffic situation established the expected traffic patterns if there are no
specific pro-active programs or interventions implemented during the planning horizon. In
most cases, it corresponds to a „do-nothing‟ scenario.
In terms of average daily traffic condition, the model results pointed out those existing road
capacities for majority of the road section which are still sufficient. However, several road
sections are already becoming saturated. These include sections of Arniko Highway from
Tinkune-Koteshwar, Kamal Pokhari and the Kanti Path.
During peak-hour conditions, traffic volumes along the Inner Ring Road are still manageable.
However, serious traffic congestion is experienced along key road sections including the
following:




Tripureshwar;
Arniko Highway from Tinkune-Koteshwar;
Bag Bazar;
Kamal Pokhari;
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




Kanti Path;
Singha Durbar;
Bhadrakali;
Naya Bazar; and
Kupandol
In 2020, it is expected that the daily capacity of key road sections especially those that are
located in close proximity to the urban core will be exceeded. As such, major transport
interventions will have to be introduced. During the peak-hour condition, traffic volumes
along the Inner Ring Road are still relatively better than in other road sections. Severe
congestion is expected on the following road sections:











Tripureshwar;
Thapathali;
Arniko Highway from Tinkune-Koteshwar;
Bag Bazar;
Kamal Pokhari;
Kanti Path;
Singha Durbar;
Ramshah Path‟
Bhadrakali;
Naya Bazar; and
Kupandol
Redevelopment Analysis
Table 5.7 presents the development scenarios for KMC for the years 2015 and 2020. The area
coverage of KMC corresponds to Zones 1 to 8 of the traffic zoning system. The capacity
value of the respective zones refers to the number of persons that can be accommodated
adequately in available dwelling spaces based on a lot area of 13.0 square meters per person.
In a sense, this is the „carrying‟ capacity of the zones. These values are calculated with the
assumptions of a FAR equal to 2.0 and a Built-up Ratio equal to 50 percent. The need to
transfer a fraction of the population from the core to other wards will certainly result to
changes in traffic demands and may result in new volumes and changes in lane capacities.
Two scenarios are proposed – the core residential population is transferred (a) to the Eastern
area (Zone 8) or (b) to the Western side in land pooled areas.
Table 1-23: Development Scenarios, 2015 and 2020
TAZ
2001
2009
Population Population
2015
Capacity
104,615
2020
Estimated
Population
Excess
Capacity
Estimated
Population
Excess
Capacity
108,435
(3,820)
119,068
(14,453)
1
94,203
100,351
2
24,543
29,964
77,692
34,663
43,029
39,212
38,480
3
22,119
27,155
90,000
31,974
58,026
37,118
52,882
4
75,698
99,886
156,154
123,070
33,084
148,030
8,124
5
86,891
133,653
290,000
185,449
104,551
249,459
40,541
6
77,891
133,943
246,923
197,006
49,917
276,359
(29,436)
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7
65,661
103,288
346,154
143,092
203,062
190,239
155,915
8
189,656
342,931
615,385
521,821
93,564
754,803
(139,418)
For the year 2015, it is expected that the capacity for Zone 1 which is the Old Core Area will
be exceeded by around 3,800 persons. Once the capacity is exceeded, this will manifest in
congested dwelling conditions. The other zones, on the other hand, will still have manageable
dwelling conditions. However, the 2020 estimates provide sobering results as Zones 1, 6 and
8 are expected to have exceeded their carrying capacities. The Volume/Capacity (V/C) ratio
at peak hours in 2015 and 2020 are shown in Figures 5.3 and 5.4, respectively. The red color
indicates that the ratio is equal or greater than .9, which means that the road has reached
congested condition.
As a possible redevelopment strategy for 2015, some functions in Zone 1 can be transferred to
Zone 8 (available excess of 93,564) which is considered as a development promotion area.
This is denoted as Scenario 1 (where possible apartment housing and commercial strips may
be located). Considering the carrying capacity of Zone 1, about 5 percent of its estimated
2015 population needs to be relocated. In terms of traffic, this may involve the transfer of
about 10 percent of the total trip production and attraction from Zone 1. In 2015, the
estimated trip production/attraction for car trips is around 62,000. On the other hand, the
estimated trip production/attraction for Zone 8 under the BAU case is around 50,000. Thus,
around 6,000 car trips will be added to Zone 8.
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Figure 1-40:
Business-as-usual V/C Ratio at Peak Hour Condition, 2015
(Identified road areas experience heavy traffic under this scenario. Volume capacity ratio of 0.9 means that the road has reached congested condition.)
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Figure 1-41:
151
Business-as-usual V/C Ratio at Peak Hour Condition, 2020
(Identified road areas experience heavy traffic under this scenario. Volume capacity ratio of 0.9 means that the road has reached congested condition.)
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Another strategy might be to transfer some of the population base of Zone 1 to land pooled
areas in Zone 6 which corresponds to Ward 15 in the northwest section of KMC. This is
denoted as Scenario 2.
Table 5.8 and 5.9 present the changes in Volume/Capacity (V/C) ratio for Scenario 1 and
Scenario 2 comparing it with the BAU scenario. Scenario 1 would be much effective in
improving road traffic conditions along Durbar Marg and Kanti Path, as well as sections of
the Inner Ring Road, Balaju and Swayambhunath areas. However, traffic condition is
expected to worsen along Bag Bazar, Dilli Bazar and Kamal Pokhari.
Table 1-24: Change in V/C Ratio for Scenario 1
No.
Road
Section
Direction
Change in V/C Ratio % Change
1
Kalimati
Kalanki-Kalimati
EB
0.05
6.5%
2
Kalimati
Kalanki-Kalimati
WB
-0.08
-8.8%
3
Tripureshwar
Kalimati-Tripureshwar
EB
0.06
5.9%
4
Tripureshwar
Kalimati-Tripureshwar
WB
-0.01
-0.8%
5
Thapathali
Tripureshwar-Thapathali
EB
0.08
5.0%
6
Thapathali
Tripureshwar-Thapathali
WB
0.01
0.7%
7
Arniko Highway
Thapathali-Tinkune
EB
-0.02
-2.2%
8
Arniko Highway
Thapathali-Tinkune
WB
0.07
7.3%
9
Arniko Highway
Tinkune-Koteshwar
EB
-0.04
-2.1%
10
Arniko Highway
Tinkune-Koteshwar
WB
0.02
1.0%
11
Arniko Highway
Koteshwar-Thimi
EB
12
Arniko Highway
Koteshwar-Thimi
WB
13
Arniko Highway
Thimi-Bhaktapur
EB
14
Arniko Highway
Thimi-Bhaktapur
WB
15
Bag Bazar/Dilli Bazar Ratna Park-Dilli Bazar
EB
-0.07
-3.2%
16
Bag Bazar/Dilli Bazar Ratna Park-Dilli Bazar
WB
0.09
4.5%
17
Bag Bazar/Dilli Bazar Dilli Bazar-Battisputali
EB
0.07
6.7%
18
Bag Bazar/Dilli Bazar Dilli Bazar-Battisputali
WB
0.23
25.0%
19
Battisputali
Battisputali-Sinamangal
EB
-0.04
-5.5%
20
Battisputali
Battisputali-Sinamangal
WB
-0.13
-17.6%
21
Kamal Pokhari
Kamaladi-Gaushala
EB
0.77
20.9%
22
Kamal Pokhari
Kamaladi-Gaushala
WB
-0.13
-2.7%
23
Kanti Path
Tripureshwar-Asan
NB
0.05
2.4%
24
Kanti Path
Tripureshwar-Asan
SB
-0.08
-3.9%
25
Kanti Path
Asan-Thamel
NB
-0.11
-6.7%
26
Kanti Path
Asan-Thamel
SB
0.01
0.7%
27
Singha Durbar
Maitighar-Prithwi Path
NB
-0.03
-1.9%
28
Singha Durbar
Maitighar-Prithwi Path
SB
0.15
9.1%
29
Ramshah Path
Prithwi Path-Bag Bazar
NB
0.01
0.9%
30
Ramshah Path
Prithwi Path-Bag Bazar
SB
0.05
3.9%
31
Hattisar
Bag Bazar-Naxal
NB
0.04
3.9%
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Change in V/C Ratio % Change
32
Hattisar
Bag Bazar-Naxal
SB
0.02
1.8%
33
Bhadrakali
Maitighar-Prithwi Path
NB
0.33
14.3%
34
Bhadrakali
Maitighar-Prithwi Path
SB
-0.21
-15.9%
35
Durbar Marg
Bag Bazar-Naxal
NB
36
Durbar Marg
Bag Bazar-Naxal
SB
-0.08
-7.7%
37
Inner Ring Road
Bansbari-Balaju
EB
-0.03
-2.9%
38
Inner Ring Road
Bansbari-Balaju
WB
-0.02
-2.1%
39
Inner Ring Road
Balaju-Swayambhunath
NB
-0.05
-6.3%
40
Inner Ring Road
Balaju-Swayambhunath
SB
-0.08
-10.3%
41
Inner Ring Road
Swayambhunath-Kalanki NB
-0.01
-1.2%
42
Inner Ring Road
Swayambhunath-Kalanki SB
-0.02
-2.4%
43
Inner Ring Road
Kalanki-Balkhu
NB
0.01
1.0%
44
Inner Ring Road
Kalanki-Balkhu
SB
-0.03
-2.9%
45
Inner Ring Road
Balkhu-Satdobato
NB
-0.02
-2.2%
46
Inner Ring Road
Balkhu-Satdobato
SB
-0.01
-1.1%
47
Inner Ring Road
Satdobato-Koteshwar
NB
0.03
3.3%
48
Inner Ring Road
Satdobato-Koteshwar
SB
49
Inner Ring Road
Tinkune-Chabahil
NB
0.03
2.7%
50
Inner Ring Road
Tinkune-Chabahil
SB
0.01
0.8%
51
Inner Ring Road
Chabahil-Bansbari
NB
-0.01
-1.2%
52
Inner Ring Road
Chabahil-Bansbari
SB
0.02
2.4%
53
Naya Bazar
Balaju-Thamel
NB
-0.14
-9.2%
54
Naya Bazar
Balaju-Thamel
SB
-0.06
-4.1%
55
Lazimpat
Thamel-Panipokhari
NB
0.05
4.5%
56
Lazimpat
Thamel-Panipokhari
SB
0.08
7.3%
57
Maharajgunj
Panipokhari-Bansbari
NB
-0.01
-1.3%
58
Maharajgunj
Panipokhari-Bansbari
SB
0.05
6.3%
59
Kupandol
Thapathali-Kupandol
NB
0.03
1.0%
60
Kupandol
Thapathali-Kupandol
SB
0.03
1.0%
0.02
1.1%
Average
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Table 1-25: Change in V/C Ratio for Scenario 2
No.
Road
Section
Direction
Change in V/C Ratio % Change
1
Kalimati
Kalanki-Kalimati
EB
0.03
3.9%
2
Kalimati
Kalanki-Kalimati
WB
-0.05
-5.5%
3
Tripureshwar
Kalimati-Tripureshwar
EB
0.06
5.9%
4
Tripureshwar
Kalimati-Tripureshwar
WB
-0.03
-2.5%
5
Thapathali
Tripureshwar-Thapathali EB
0.07
4.4%
6
Thapathali
Tripureshwar-Thapathali WB
0.01
0.7%
7
Arniko Highway
Thapathali-Tinkune
EB
0.02
2.2%
8
Arniko Highway
Thapathali-Tinkune
WB
-0.04
-4.2%
9
Arniko Highway
Tinkune-Koteshwar
EB
0.02
1.0%
10 Arniko Highway
Tinkune-Koteshwar
WB
-0.03
-1.5%
11 Arniko Highway
Koteshwar-Thimi
EB
12 Arniko Highway
Koteshwar-Thimi
WB
13 Arniko Highway
Thimi-Bhaktapur
EB
14 Arniko Highway
Thimi-Bhaktapur
WB
15 Bag Bazar/Dilli Bazar
Ratna Park-Dilli Bazar
EB
-0.17
-7.7%
16 Bag Bazar/Dilli Bazar
Ratna Park-Dilli Bazar
WB
0.06
3.0%
17 Bag Bazar/Dilli Bazar
Dilli Bazar-Battisputali
EB
-0.06
-5.8%
18 Bag Bazar/Dilli Bazar
Dilli Bazar-Battisputali
WB
0.26
28.3%
19 Battisputali
Battisputali-Sinamangal EB
-0.06
-8.2%
20 Battisputali
Battisputali-Sinamangal WB
-0.03
-4.1%
21 Kamal Pokhari
Kamaladi-Gaushala
EB
0.73
19.8%
22 Kamal Pokhari
Kamaladi-Gaushala
WB
-0.82
-16.8%
23 Kanti Path
Tripureshwar-Asan
NB
0.06
2.9%
24 Kanti Path
Tripureshwar-Asan
SB
-0.15
-7.4%
25 Kanti Path
Asan-Thamel
NB
-0.07
-4.3%
26 Kanti Path
Asan-Thamel
SB
0.02
1.3%
27 Singha Durbar
Maitighar-Prithwi Path
NB
-0.10
-6.4%
28 Singha Durbar
Maitighar-Prithwi Path
SB
0.11
6.7%
29 Ramshah Path
Prithwi Path-Bag Bazar NB
0.01
0.9%
30 Ramshah Path
Prithwi Path-Bag Bazar SB
0.19
14.8%
31 Hattisar
Bag Bazar-Naxal
NB
0.06
5.9%
32 Hattisar
Bag Bazar-Naxal
SB
0.08
7.2%
33 Bhadrakali
Maitighar-Prithwi Path
NB
0.02
0.9%
34 Bhadrakali
Maitighar-Prithwi Path
SB
-0.07
-5.3%
35 Durbar Marg
Bag Bazar-Naxal
NB
0.03
2.9%
36 Durbar Marg
Bag Bazar-Naxal
SB
-0.02
-1.9%
37 Inner Ring Road
Bansbari-Balaju
EB
-0.01
-1.0%
38 Inner Ring Road
Bansbari-Balaju
WB
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Change in V/C Ratio % Change
39 Inner Ring Road
Balaju-Swayambhunath NB
0.05
6.3%
40 Inner Ring Road
Balaju-Swayambhunath SB
0.01
1.3%
41 Inner Ring Road
Swayambhunath-Kalanki NB
0.04
4.8%
42 Inner Ring Road
Swayambhunath-Kalanki SB
0.03
3.6%
43 Inner Ring Road
Kalanki-Balkhu
NB
0.01
1.0%
44 Inner Ring Road
Kalanki-Balkhu
SB
-0.02
-2.0%
45 Inner Ring Road
Balkhu-Satdobato
NB
0.04
4.5%
46 Inner Ring Road
Balkhu-Satdobato
SB
-0.01
-1.1%
47 Inner Ring Road
Satdobato-Koteshwar
NB
-0.01
-1.1%
48 Inner Ring Road
Satdobato-Koteshwar
SB
0.07
7.9%
49 Inner Ring Road
Tinkune-Chabahil
NB
0.06
5.4%
50 Inner Ring Road
Tinkune-Chabahil
SB
0.01
0.8%
51 Inner Ring Road
Chabahil-Bansbari
NB
0.01
1.2%
52 Inner Ring Road
Chabahil-Bansbari
SB
-0.04
-4.7%
53 Naya Bazar
Balaju-Thamel
NB
0.11
7.2%
54 Naya Bazar
Balaju-Thamel
SB
55 Lazimpat
Thamel-Panipokhari
NB
0.01
0.9%
56 Lazimpat
Thamel-Panipokhari
SB
0.08
7.3%
57 Maharajgunj
Panipokhari-Bansbari
NB
-0.02
-2.5%
58 Maharajgunj
Panipokhari-Bansbari
SB
0.06
7.6%
59 Kupandol
Thapathali-Kupandol
NB
0.01
0.3%
60 Kupandol
Thapathali-Kupandol
SB
-0.07
-2.4%
0.01
0.7%
Average
Scenario 2 would have moderate impacts compared with the BAU scenario. However, traffic
is expected to worsen along major road sections providing ingress/egress at the northern
sections of KMC. A notable increase in traffic demand will be expected along Naya Bazar,
Ramshah Path, as well as northern sections of the Inner Ring Road. Figure 5.5 indicates the
V/C ratio for 2015, where a V/C ratio of 0.9 means that the road has reached congested
condition.
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Figure 1-42:
V/C Ratio for Scenario 2, 2015
(Road areas identified in this figure experience heavy traffic under this scenario. Volume capacity ratio of 0.9 means that the road has reached congested condition. Circle
indicates areas where increases are greater. The red bands mean that the V/C value is greater than or equal to 0.9)
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While another scenario of transferring future residential population to the North is a possible
option, the two scenarios already reveal limited possibilities of transferring further until 2020
in the East and West sectors, considering that the capacity of the residential land is already
limited in accommodating future population. In this assumption, a FAR of 2.0 was used. Any
transfer of population only shifts traffic volumes within KMC; hence, while some roads are
relieved partly of congestion, other roads are taking up these increases. This similarly shifts
the risks of the population caused by blockages, damaged roads and its implications on
emergency operations need to be studied. Looking at it from a Valley-wide perspective, with
decongestion achieved by shifting population outside KMC up until 2020 or so, changes in
through traffic conditions from outside the Valley need to be studied to determine exactly the
strategic roads to be developed with the emerging patterns of risks considered and managed.
The analysis for 2020 should be subject to further discussions with KMC and concerned
national government agencies as it is expected that the carrying capacities of these zones will
be reached. On the other hand, new expansion areas outside of Kathmandu City can be
explored. However, this should be worked out in coordination with relevant agencies.
A risk-sensitive transportation planning methodology can provide insights on the transport
implications of possible redevelopment strategies for KMC. However, there is also a need to
conduct detailed land use and transport inventory for Kathmandu City and adjacent areas to
ascertain the existing land utilization rates in terms of FAR and Built-up Ratio.
A full-scale land use and transport planning project needs to be conducted to develop an
updated planning database for the entire Valley as the last comprehensive study was
undertaken in 1993. It is also recommended that the transportation model developed be
further developed and institutionalized in Kathmandu City. As such, appropriate capacitybuilding activities should be pursued.
For this current RSLUP, the scenario of transferring residential populations from the core and
some commercial functions to the Eastern sector is taken as a possible development scenario.
However, this scenario is limited in addressing the housing and service functions for future
population of KMC. Hence, the recommended results of Table 5.3 and the possibilities of
developing Kathmandu City as part of a Valley-wide plan are likely directions within and
beyond the ten-year frame of this plan.
1.5.2 A Risk-Sensitive Plan
Sieve mapping, the process of overlaying several thematic maps to determine the location of
areas suitable for urban expansion, was performed with hazard and risk maps placed on top of
each other. The thematic maps overlaid and compared are the following:
5. Population density maps (2001)
6. Land use maps (2001)
7. KMC infrastructure maps (2001)
8. Hazard and risk maps (2002)
9. KVTDC land use zone maps (2007)
This RSLUP uses the current land use map (2006) and the KVTDC land use plan (2007) as
references. The difference of this plan with the other plans comes mainly from the
incorporation of the risk assessment results from JICA‟s 2002 Kathmandu Valley Earthquake
Study and limited considerations on the Flood Risk Assessment of KMC rivers into the
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decision process of the land use planning activities and the eventual articulation of such
results in the land use plan and maps.
The preferred plan serves as the basis for the physical development and land use within
Kathmandu City. By identifying areas prone to seismic hazards and their attendant risks, it is
intended to guide the actions, programs and projects to consider the seismic hazards and their
risks aimed at reducing vulnerabilities and addressing risk through the following key land use
approaches:







Reduction of intensity of use in the core areas using building controls (FAR, open space
requirements) and following the Kathmandu Valley Land Use Plan of 2007;
Improvements of emergency management capabilities and reinforcement of critical
facilities
Selection of evacuation or development sites for disaster management; and
Identification of potential sites for development within and outside of Kathmandu City.
Restrict or discourage new structures in high hazard prone areas;
Allow some improvements or activities in high-risk areas but disallow residency in the
same;
Set in place mechanisms that would discourage people to acquire or encroach hazardprone areas for redevelopment;
1.5.3 The Preferred Urban Form
Given the economic and social importance of roads, bridges, water and other public utilities
in achieving Kathmandu City‟s vision, there is an immediate need to protect new and existing
infrastructure against seismic risk. The risk to damage is still present, mostly from old
building stock. The immediate concerns center on reducing the risks to building damage and
minimizing further loss of life, especially in core areas and in dense residential sub-zones.
Future populations will benefit by being located in safe and planned locations within and
outside KMC. Figure 5.6 provides the different areas for disaster mitigation as suggested in
the 2002 JICA study. Figures 5.7 and 5.8 refer, respectively, to the old city core and its
vicinity, where many old buildings were estimated to be damaged. Open spaces (E) and green
belts, or possible new towns (G), were proposed at that time; however, some of these areas
are already occupied and may no longer accommodate such proposed uses.
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Figure 1-43:
Development Sites Eyed within KMC
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
(Green areas in the map located along the waterfront pertain to possible development of the
riversides, which can add to the number of open spaces and parks for evacuation.)
The strategy proposed at this time focuses on protecting assets and locating future structures
in safe and planned areas. At the same time, the strategy also considers future planned
expansion in the Valley, possibly forming a multi-centered development, supported by a
properly planned transport system, which is similarly sensitive to disaster risks. This may
hold the most promising prospect towards the realization of the KMC vision within the
Valley. Within a planning period of ten years, the chosen urban form will serve as a guide for
improving KMC‟s infrastructure, as well as maintaining a reasonable and achievable balance
between the natural and built-up areas, resulting in improved livability conditions for KMC.
This mission of achieving full potential use of the land, subject to the limitations and
constraints of geology, existing land use and physical arrangements, and the corresponding
costs and benefits tied up with renewal, is a worthwhile endeavor in view of the greater
potential losses, monetary and otherwise, from a very damaging earthquake.
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Figure 1-44:
Site A: Conservation Area and Highly Dense Mixed Residential Areas
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
Background image from Google, 2009
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Figure 1-45:
Site F: River Side Areas
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
Background image from Google, 2009
In a wider context, a similar dilemma may be faced by other urbanizing municipalities and
VDCs, and a common study may be needed (e.g. seismic vulnerability assessments,
transportation) to integrate these concerns. With this in mind, the proposed strategies point to
a possible phased approach of developing sites in KMC through urban renewal within the
next five to seven years and locating future populations for residential purposes outside of the
city towards the end of this planning period. Suggested future expansion areas outside of
KMC are given in Figures 5.9, 5.10 and 5.11.
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Figure 1-46:
Site E and G: Open Space Initiatives, Green Belt, New Town Sites
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
Background image from Google, 2009
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Figure 1-47:
Overview of New Settlement areas in the Kathmandu Valley
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
Background image from Google, 2009
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Figure 1-48:
Overview of New Settlement Areas in Kathmandu Valley
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
Background image from Google, 2009
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1.5.4 The Growth Areas and Corridors within Kathmandu City
1.5.4.1 The Core and Central Sector Growth Area
As the traditional city core, this functions as the nerve center of the social, economic and
political life of KMC. The heritage site in the core will be restored close to its original design
and form as envisioned in the Integrated Management Framework (2007) for managing
World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley. With the cultural and heritage value of the
monuments in mind, the structural integrity of the monuments and remaining structures shall
be reviewed for possible retrofitting against ground shaking and related hazards. This may
require specialized assessment and techniques for design and construction, since the
restoration of structures will make use of construction materials very closely linked to the
structural system of the monuments (e.g. load-bearing brick or adobe masonry with mortar
comprising of earth, lime, brick dust and sand). The high degree of ornamentation consisting
of wood, stucco and stone elements may necessitate additional considerations in their
redesign. Recent buildings in the area may need to be rectified (Integrated Management
Framework, Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site, 2007) if the materials used, location,
height and form are considered incompatible with the neighboring historical buildings. The
paving materials will similarly be selected for compatibility with respect to authenticity and
structural quality.
The use and function of public spaces shall be continued, but based on the understanding and
appreciation of the heritage values of the site. This requirement is essential so that the site can
be used sustainably, prolonging the value and economic life of the structures. The PWC has
suggested that the streets and square be restored to allow for their exclusive use by
pedestrians. Mercantile operations shall also be regulated; hence, private buildings shall be
used only for traditional and compatible activities. Historic buildings which are no longer in
use shall be conserved for adaptive re-use such as converting them into museums.
Boundaries and buffer zones identified and approved by the World Heritage Committee shall
be enforced. In the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, the boundary encompasses main
monuments and their surrounding squares and open spaces, thereby preserving the identity of
the monument zone. The buffer zone includes a strip of urban fabric surrounding the
monument zone, covering an area of 6.4 hectares.
Today, the Central area is heavily built up and congested with mixed uses. Population
densities in these wards range from 200 to 500 persons/hectare. The circulation network that
serves the wards in this area is the Ring Road, which will be improved with the widening of
its connection with the Madan Bhandari Path. At the southern portion of the Central area lies
a buffer strip of commercial development radiating from Madan Bhandari Path. Medium to
high density commercial and institutional uses are concentrated along this road, while dense
mixed residential uses dominate the interior of the blocks. In time, urban development will
radiate outwards from the road. The indicative location of this commercial strip is shown in
Figures 5.12 and 5.13.
This new growth corridor extends towards the Eastern sector that defines the Business
Growth Corridor shown in red. The boundaries of this growth corridor lie within other
residence zones. Strong land use policies will have to be instituted to maintain the buffer and
to implement densification of these areas to its carrying capacity (i.e. FAR of 2-3). The
eastern side of this growth corridor merges with the Outer Ring Road as shown in Figure
5.12.
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Figure 1-49:
The Central and Core Areas
(An enlarged portion of the KMC land use map, indicating the concentration of development in the Core and
Central areas.)
The Central sector will maintain its function as the financial and business district of the city,
while the traditional role for worship, pilgrimage and other related mercantile functions will
remain in the Core. The center of social and political life will continue in the Central area but
commercial functions will be slowly distributed to the designated growth corridors in the East
sector. The public markets shall remain in the periphery to avoid further congestion in the
Central area. Future markets to serve the needs of each growth corridor and its immediate
areas will be located in this corridor.
The dominant land use within the Central area will be high density residential areas with
allocations for the tertiary sector such as wholesale and retail trade, banking and finance,
personal and community services, transportation and telecommunications, and tourism-related
uses. Educational institutions will be allowed to remain. A similar policy will be applied to
existing hospitals in the area.
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Figure 1-50:
Indicative Location of the Proposed Commercial Strip
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
Background image from Google, 2009
(Figure shows the concentration of development (apartment strip and commercial strip) for the Core and Central
sectors.)
On the other hand, medium-density housing (e.g. row houses, townhouses) will be
encouraged in wards outside the CBD (central business district) area. The circulation network
in these wards will have to be improved and upgraded in order to introduce some order and
rationality into the present road hierarchy.
Future development within KMC will see greater use of such limited approaches in-filling of
vacant lands and densification, creation of open spaces, road widening, and improvement of
riversides. The building by-laws shall guide these developments. Other important points may
be considered:

Different plots could be integrated as a single plot and the ownership provision would be
the same as in the Apartment Act.
The Apartment Act in Nepal concerns the ownership of different people over a single
plot. But there is no clear ruling about integrating different plots into one under the
ownership of the same group of people. There are some examples that a group would
agree to build a building in a plot integrated from different plots owned by different
people; but due to lack of relevant laws, this kind of integration is very rare. So the
introduction of relevant laws necessary for integration of highly fragmented plots may
need to be looked into.

To create open space and encourage efficient use of land, the right to develop from land
owners must be transferred to the government, with owners receiving just compensation
and/or becoming partners in developing the site.
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Strategies may be devised to discourage new building constructions, such as taxation,
close monitoring, etc.
As most of the open spaces in the category “other residential area” are private lands and
continuously being occupied by buildings at the rate of 3,000 new houses per year,
introduction of „development right transfer‟ becomes important. By introducing a
development right transfer system, the FAR of some vacant lands could be transferred to
already built-up areas.
Some criteria need to be defined before pursuing the development of business strips along
the Ring Road and other roads, such as having a minimum requirement of three “ropani”
plot (1,017 sqm), 6m wide access road, and underground parking.
Wards in outer areas (other residential area) should be further divided into small zones so
that the availability of critical facilities such as school and hospitals, recreational
facilities, and open space could be further analyzed. Based on this, the building of the
minimum number of required facilities should be encouraged.
In order to increase the city‟s inventory of parks and open spaces within the Central
sector, a number of government-owned lands may need to be converted into linear city
parks.
Government-owned lands that could be immediately developed into a city park in the
short to medium term are portions of the Baghmati River, which could enhance the image
and livability of the Central area growth corridors.
In line with the city‟s desire to specialize in information and telecommunications
technology, a Science and Technology Park may be integrated into the master plan of the
Central area. The availability of information technology (IT) schools, IT-related
businesses and Internet service providers makes the city a competitive site for the
establishment of projects focused on IT services. Such activities may include the
following:
- Software development and application for business, e-commerce, education and
entertainment;
- Knowledge-based IT services, i.e. data encoding and conversion;
- Backroom activities; and
- IT-related service activities, i.e. internet service providers.
Other measures to strengthen the role of the Central sector as the financial and business
district of KMC, as well as to make KMC more competitive regionally, in the short to
medium term include the following:

Improve the flow of vehicular traffic and enhance pedestrian safety and convenience by a
combination of measures such as:
- Conducting a Valley-wide study of the transport demand and supply, with a view of
the development needs, potentials and constraints (i.e. natural hazard risks);
- Providing off-street parking or vertical parking and strictly prohibiting curbside
parking along major roads. A vacant lot within the area can be converted into a public
pay parking area;
- Prohibiting tricycles from operating along main arteries as they slow down traffic
flow;
- Defining the function of existing streets and providing the necessary directional signs;
- Recovering the sidewalks for the pedestrians by clearing away illegal encroachments,
covering open side drainage canals, and requiring owners of permanent structures that
had encroached on the road lots to provide arcaded walks;
- Constructing pedestrian overpasses at very busy intersections and properly designed
crosswalks at strategic locations, as well as facilities for the handicapped and elderly
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such as access ramps in all public and private institutions and commercial
establishments; and
Limiting the use of a number of city streets within the CBD strictly to pedestrians.
Developing emergency access roads with designated and restricted access to vehicles
and priority for emergency
Enforcing an anti-littering ordinance and encouraging every resident to maintain
cleanliness in their premises;
Improving the overall image of the city by acquiring land to be developed into pocket
and linear parks;
Enhancing historical landmarks (heritage sites) and developing potential tourism sites
through public-private partnerships; and
Improving water and sanitation facilities by providing any needed expansion as well
as protecting them from natural hazard risks.
1.5.4.2 East Sector Growth Corridors
Development of the eastern and southeastern sections of the city is influenced by airport
location. Providing vital link from this airport to inner areas is the same Madan Bhandari
Path. This highway which links the eastern, southern and southwestern wards has contributed
to the rapid transformation of this section of the city, albeit into an unplanned and unregulated
type of strip development along the said highway. (See Figure 5.14)
Because of its close proximity to the Central and Core areas, and the availability of
undeveloped land, the East sector growth corridor is a priority area to be developed in the
short to medium term. If designated as an expansion area with a proposed buffer strip of
100m through possible land pooling, it has the capacity to absorb a significant portion of
urban expansion away from the Core and Central areas. Further south, the Bagmati River
development will provide another visual corridor to this strip.
Figure 1-51:
The East Sector Growth Corridors
(An enlarged portion of the land use map shown in Figure 5.20. Figure shows the concentration of development
for the Eastern and Central sectors.)
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The East sector, in general, will be promoted as a tourism and residential area, incorporating
into its master plan two major developments -- one for road commercial strips and another for
apartment housing. These two features will serve as the focal points of this growth corridor.
Vegetable markets here will be expanded and modernized in order to cater to the growing
population.
In line with the city‟s aim to further strengthen its role as the premiere center of education and
health services, the possible use of vacant lands still available in the fringes of the East area
(near land pooled areas) will allow for providing a park-like setting that is conducive to
learning and healing.
Between these areas will be mixed uses compatible with dominant use including retail shops,
dormitories, restaurants, private clinics, miscellaneous services, and the like. A network of
parks and open spaces, tree-lined roads, and pedestrian pathways will serve as the unifying
elements that will link all these features into a cohesive whole.
The construction of roads and other support infrastructure is crucial to the realization of the
long-term spatial development proposed for the growth center. Therefore, necessary surveys
and studies shall be conducted to firm up the proposed plan. Opportunities for public-private
partnerships in the implementation of the plan will be explored.
Two new growth corridors outside the core were identified namely a) Apartment Housing
Strip and Group Housing within the Eastern Sector Growth Corridor intersecting the Devkota
Sadak, and b) the 25m to 100 m highway corridor along the Ring Road.
Each growth corridor is envisaged to play a specialized function based on its existing,
emerging and potential contribution to the realization of the long-term vision of the city. This
ensures complementation and sustainability among the different centers while giving each
center its unique identity. Each growth corridor is also envisioned to be a mixed-use
development, hence, residential, commercial, and institutional land uses will be integrated in
support of the distinct role each center has to play.
Each growth corridor is likewise envisioned to serve its own area of influence. The influence
area of each center is expected to be modified from that of the present to one with a better
circulation network consisting of fully developed arterial, collector and distributor roads.
1.5.4.3 North Sector Residential Growth Area
This area, dominated by the “other residential area” category and institutional uses, shall be
maintained as a tourist destination area. The highways oriented toward the north can serve as
visual corridors leading to the forest areas of the North Mountains, therefore the construction
of high-rise structures in this area shall be regulated. The presence of schools and hospitals
lining this road has resulted in traffic jams especially during peak hours; hence, road widening
or traffic management may be pursued.
This growth corridor (25m commercial strip) along the Ring Road is characterized by a strip
development on both sides of the road (Figure 5.15). Priority measures to improve the form
and function of this corridor include the following:
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Demolition of all structures encroaching into the road right-of-way;
Creation of open spaces such as pocket parks to break the monotony of continuous
buildings along this road and to improve its image;
Widening of the road, to include loading and unloading bays at strategic locations along
the strip;
Introduction of traffic management schemes to reduce congestion; and
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Rationalization of the circulation network in the interior lots beyond the growth corridor
to eliminate dead-end effects and improve traffic flow.
Figure 1-52:
North Sector Residential Growth Area
(An enlarged portion of the land use map shown in Figure 5.20. Figure shows the concentration of development
in the North sector.)
1.5.4.4 West Sector Growth Corridor
The proposed RSLUP identifies Urban Redevelopment Zones (along the Outer Ring Road)
within the commercial buffer strips aimed to promoting further development of the city. The
development of the Bagmati and Bishnumati Rivers will be pursued in this sector. The West
sector will remain largely a residential area comprised of “other residential area” categories
and land pooled areas (Figure 5.16).
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Figure 1-53:
West Sector Residential Growth Area
(An enlarged portion of the land use map shown in Figure 5.20. Figure shows the concentration of development
for the West and North sectors.)
1.5.5 Built-up Areas outside the Growth Centers/Corridors
The preceding section describes the proposed development for the various growth centers and
corridors. This section describes the built-up areas that are not located within the designated
growth centers and corridors.
The overall strategy for these areas is to maintain them as low density and low impact
developments while improving the support infrastructure and protecting environmentallysensitive sites from encroachment. Zoning measures will be strictly enforced to regulate
ribbon developments and to direct development away from environmentally-sensitive
locations such as danger zones (e.g. potential liquefaction areas, flood-prone areas), river
easements, urban forests and the like.
1.5.6 Protected Areas
In order to ensure sustainable development for KMC, the proposed RSLUP also strongly
promotes the conservation and maintenance of identified protected areas and life-support
systems. The following areas will be the subject of protection and conservation policies:
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1.5.7 Heritage Areas
Kathmandu City will likely absorb the increasing number of visitors and migrants from the
Valley. Heritage sites must be protected and the city‟s image as a “Living Cultural Heritage”
must be maintained. This translates to the following: a) conservation of the heritage buildings
and monuments, street routes and squares, and riverside heritage; b) preservation of cultural
activities such as festivals and rituals; c) prevention of further loss of heritage from private
development; d) establishment of museums; e) removal of incompatible uses; and f) diversion
of mercantile economic development to outside the heritage areas of the core to aid in
prolonging the replacement period of the structures.
1.5.7.1 City Square (Durbar Square/Temple)
Owing to its historical significance, the square located right at the core of KMC has
functioned over the centuries as the nerve center of the social, economic and political life of
the city, influencing the city‟s evolution into what it is today.
1.5.7.2 Other Parks
Parks and open spaces will serve as additions to the physical infrastructure in the form of
recreational grounds, as well as sites for relocation and evacuation in times of emergency.
One of the programs that can be pursued is to have a Network of Parks and Open Spaces.
This program should identify and develop a hierarchy of parks and open spaces from the city
level down to the ward level.
1.5.7.3 River Easements
As required by law, the 25-meter easements along the city‟s seven main rivers and tributaries
will be recovered and strictly enforced. A program to develop linear parks along river
easements will help protect them from illegal structures. Illegal settlements lining the rivers
will be resettled to safer grounds. More information can be obtained from the River
Development Plan of 2007 particularly for the Bagmati river segment crossing Kathmandu
City.
1.5.7.4 Environmentally-Critical Areas
As discussed in Chapter 3, the vulnerability of most of KMC to liquefaction and ground
shaking, as well as to floods and storm surges, makes it an environmentally-critical area.
More pro-active approaches in dealing with such inherent constraints must be pursued
including requiring geo-technical studies for building construction, recovering natural
waterways, de-silting and dredging waterways, conducting information dissemination
campaigns, and carrying out disaster preparedness initiatives, among others.
1.5.7.5 Emergency Routes in Core Areas
In case of a major earthquake disaster, among the expected main problems are related to the
blockage of road from debris of damaged buildings affecting search and rescue, lack of open
spaces for shelter, and insufficient facilities for drinking water, treating injured people, and
cremating casualties. The strategies identified in this RSLUP are intended to minimize such
problems.
Figures from 5.17 to 5.19 provide a picture of possible evacuation routes in the Core and
nearby areas, as suggested in the 2002 JICA study. The arrows indicate safe routes and open
spaces. Many of these open areas are parks, playgrounds, public squares and large privately
owned lands. Access to these areas within 100meter to 500 meter stretches may still be
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possible, but a new inventory should be made considering that built-up areas continue to
proliferate over the years, and that taller buildings along narrow streets pose dangers from
sudden collapse.
1.5.8 Infrastructure Support Systems
Infrastructure systems play the same role as protected areas in that both serve as “support” for
settlements and production areas, ensuring their livability, efficiency and sustainability. While
protected areas are best left in a relatively natural state, infrastructure support systems
necessarily form part of the built environment. These support systems are categorized into
five groups, namely, social, economic, administrative support, transport and urban utilities.
Social infrastructure sustains settlements by providing facilities for education, health, sports
and recreation, and the like. Markets, slaughterhouses, and warehouses are examples of
economic infrastructure. Administrative support infrastructure refers to facilities provided by
government to facilitate provision of services. Examples include the city hall, peace and order
facilities, fire protection facilities, ecological waste management facilities, among others.
Transport infrastructure provides the vital link to different activity areas, while urban utilities
serve the need for water supply and distribution, power supply and distribution, drainage and
sewerage, and telecommunications. (Serote, 2004)
The strategy encompassing the infrastructure support systems should be consistent with the
preferred urban form. Therefore, each growth center and corridor will be provided with
adequate and appropriate infrastructure to support its functions. In view of the seismic risks,
strategies for safer and more resilient buildings and infrastructures shall be pursued. Among
them are the following:
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Reduce building and infrastructure vulnerability to earthquakes by pursuing appropriate
modifications and reinforcement on highly vulnerable buildings; ensuring earthquake
loads are included in the design of new buildings and other structures; regulating
structural modifications done to buildings (permitting), and enforcing strict building
occupancy.
Protect critical facilities, such as hospitals, police stations and emergency shelters (e.g.,
pursue vulnerability assessment and appropriate mitigation), Vulnerability assessment
should consider the structural, non-structural and functional aspects
Reduce or possibly eliminate damage to infrastructure (i.e. lifelines) mainly water,
wastewater and sanitation, drainage, transportation system (including airport and main
bridges), power, communication, fuel supply and food supply systems
Reduce possible disruption of critical services.
Reduce high potential for fire and potential for hazardous material release that could
follow an earthquake due to mix uses of residential, commercial and industrial functions,
through better enforcement of fire safety and hazardous material regulation, as well as
basic safety requirements;
Strengthen supporting structures related to staging relief operations, for organizing
emergency response functions, for providing emergency shelter, and temporary housing
due to the lack of open space in the city.
Prepare post-event recovery and reconstruction plans for the Valley;
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0.15 km
Escape route directio
Figure 1-54:
Escape Route Planning North of Core
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
(Possible evacuation routes in the core and nearby areas, as suggested in the 2002 earthquake study by JICA.
The arrows indicate safe routes and open spaces.)
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0.15 km
Escape route directions w
of main roads and open
Figure 1-55:
Escape Route Planning Around Core
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
(Possible evacuation routes in the core and nearby areas, as suggested in the 2002 earthquake study by JICA.
The arrows indicate safe routes and open spaces.)
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Figure 1-56:
Escape Route Planning South of Core
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
(Possible evacuation routes in the core and nearby areas, as suggested in the 2002 earthquake study by JICA.
The arrows indicate safe routes and open spaces.)
1.5.9 Evaluating the Preferred Urban Form
This next step in the process entails an inspection of the potential areas suitable for urban
development as identified in the land use map shown in Figure 5.20. The evaluation of spatial
strategies is anchored on important requirements for the built and natural environment aimed
at ensuring that KMC citizens:
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Enjoy clean air, safe water, and a built environment that is relatively free and safe from
risks emanating from natural and man-made hazards;
Benefit from easy access to urban facilities and services;
Preserve the heritage areas;
Engage in livelihood activities and earn adequate income to support a decent and
dignified lifestyle; and
Afforded the opportunity to develop and realize their full human potentials.
A short comparison between the current land use trends and the preferred land use is
presented below.
1.5.9.1 Trend Extension
A. General Description
Trend extension shows the future urban development as a continuation of the pattern of
growth the city has followed over the years. It is the result of individuals building anywhere
according to their own preferences and convenience with minimal government intervention.
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Some people build on environmentally critical areas thus contributing to the degradation of
the natural environment and exposing them to environmental hazards.
B. What are the existing problematic situations in this existing urban form in KMC?
1. Difficult to expand new roads and other infrastructure
To relieve traffic congestion, low-cost non-structural measures like improved traffic
management are applied.
Increased road capacity, road widening, multi-level highways would entail higher capital
costs due to possible clearance.
Vertical parking may be eyed in existing areas; horizontal parking in new areas. However
fragmented lands are need to be pooled. Public transport terminals are most likely located
in urban expansion areas.
10.
Community adjustments to disaster risks is low
As most of the city functions are found in the Core and Central areas, exposure to
earthquake risks remains high in those areas.
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11.
New developments occur in the North, West and East areas where exposure to
liquefaction is small.
Compliance with seismic code provisions is better in the new areas; disaster
preparedness measures are necessary in old built-up areas.
Open spaces are planned to be used as evacuation sites during earthquake-induced
disasters.
Depending on the intensity and source of the earthquake, circulation and access may
be difficult when linear roads are damaged. The strategic road network discussed in
the Sectoral Profile reveals areas that are potentially at risk.
Some areas eyed for expansion are developing sprawl, except in land pooled areas
near the fringes.
Seismic, flood and fire retrofitting of structures and re-engineering approaches are
most likely needed. Given the current estimates of the damage and losses to buildings
and infrastructure from a mid-Nepal earthquake, retrofitting will be costly.
Preservation of protected croplands
Encroachment on environmentally critical areas continues to threaten the natural
environment, especially in the fringes, riversides and urban forests. Thus, strong land use
policies and IEC campaigns will be required.
Existing agricultural areas will be easier to convert for urban expansion, thus requiring
strong government and community interventions.
12.
On government enforcement of regulations
Existing laws (e.g., water, air, environment, sanitation, and building codes) and local
ordinances are difficult to enforce in already built up-areas. In new developments (i.e.
new construction, rehabilitation, repairs), it is easier to enforce building bylaws and other
codal provisions. However, such sites for new development may no longer be found
within Kathmandu City.
13.
People‟s compliance with regulations desired
Compliance with regulations is already difficult, especially in the Core and Central areas.
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If better informed, future developers are expected to comply with regulations more easily
in new expansion areas.
14.
No more open space in Kathmandu City for new developments
KMC has to review the expansion of urban areas outside of Kathmandu City and such
new sites in the Valley must similarly be subject to risk assessments. A properly designed
transport system that will promote efficiency by providing appropriate capacities and
efficiencies among old and new centers for development should link KMC, the
municipalities and VDCs.
C. Implications when this urban form is realized
1. Access of people to city-wide services
Access to goods and services will be difficult for areas far from the city center and in
unplanned interior areas, while the Core will continue to provide the widest range of
goods. Other growth areas may assume a similar central function towards the later
development stage depending on the type and magnitude of investment located in these
areas.
15.
Amount of air and water pollution produced
Trend extension will continue to aggravate air and water pollution. Traffic management
schemes will help reduce air pollution. In the absence of an improved wastewater
treatment facility and utilizing the present form of treatment and disposal, river water
pollution will worsen.
16.
Sustainable use of natural resources
Areas already encroached upon may be difficult to rehabilitate.
17.
Traffic problems
Circulation within the city and movement in and out of Kathmandu City are rendered
increasingly difficult as traffic builds up along already congested routes. Traffic
management schemes alone without structural measures and strict land use regulation
may not be sufficient to deal with traffic problems.
18.
Overall attractiveness of the city
Without effective building density and design restrictions/controls, coupled with a mix of
non-compatible uses, the attractiveness of the city will be low, negatively impacting the
image of heritage areas.
19.
Potential for increased KMC revenue
New developments will continue to generate moderate incomes/revenues for the city. The
rehabilitation of existing infrastructure will reduce said incomes.
20.
Prospects for more jobs and higher income
New jobs and higher incomes may result from new businesses operating in urban
expansion areas because these areas may be better planned.
21.
Kathmandu City‟s leading role in Tourism, Education and Health Services maintained
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City functions in the Core and Central areas may be affected by man-made and natural
hazards. More investments for improving education and health services may be needed in
the face of limited space for expansion.
1.5.9.2 Preferred Land Use Plan
A. General Description
The preferred land use plan will re-direct development away from the city center toward
identified urban growth areas. It is characterized by clusters of development, with each cluster
having its own service function
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Figure 1-57:
181
KMC Proposed Land Use Map
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Under this alternative, four additional mixed-use growth areas will be developed outside the
core area, namely: (1) Central Growth Corridor, specializing in business, high density
residences and institutional services; (2) East Sector Growth Corridor, which is an extension
of the present business strip; this commercial area is nearest the airport and specializes in
commercial and institutional developments, and is surrounded by medium to low density
residences directed outwards; (3) Ring Road Commercial Strips and the adjoining buffered
rivers surrounded by medium to low density residences; and (4) Apartment Housing Corridor,
which is a residential strip. The preferred form will improve the riverside and possibly look
into a more comprehensive transport system allowing better linkages with surrounding
municipalities and VDCs within the Valley.
B. What it takes to realize this urban form
1. Cost of new roads and other infrastructure
Ways to overcome the high cost of public investment on roads, especially those identified
as strategic, and other infrastructures (e.g. bridges, drainage systems) must be developed,
as there is a need to link the identified growth centers within and outside of Kathmandu
City.
22.
Community adjustment to risks
Future inhabitants are relatively safe from natural and man-made disasters as a result of
the transfer of service functions, and the reduction in high intensity densities from the
core towards the peripheral areas, which are assumed to be safer. In the selection of areas
for redevelopment, enticements or incentives must be made to achieve reduction of
densities, such as the provision of affordable housing, land pooling, and modification of
rental cost structures, among others. Further risk assessment studies must be pursued to
reduce vulnerabilities and disaster risks in the Valley.
23.
Preservation of protected areas
Heritage sites (e.g. temples, squares, monuments), tourism areas, rivers and urban forests,
and remaining productive agricultural lands are taken as sensitive areas and will be
preserved.
24.
Strict enforcement of regulation
City-wide programs and activities (e.g. IEC) to foster acceptance of plans, social cohesion
and integration among city inhabitants will be needed.
25.
People‟s compliance with regulations desired
Political will and support by the Ministries and local chief executives to implement the
proposed changes must be strong. Full people‟s compliance with regulations is necessary
if densification, relocation, or land pooling is pursued.
C. Implications when this urban form is realized
26.
Access of people to city-wide services
There will be greater access of people to city-wide services due to decentralized front-line
offices of city hall, public markets, shopping centers, tertiary schools and hospitals
27.
Air and water pollution
The areas of concentration of air and water pollution will be easily identified and
therefore mitigation measures can focus on these areas.
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28.
Sustainable use of natural resources
More open space and forest habitats can be recovered and rehabilitated.
29.
Traffic problems
New urban nodes will intercept inbound traffic from the north, southeast and southwest,
relieving traffic in the city center. The city core will serve more for tourism, worship, and
small scale commerce.
30.
Overall attractiveness of the city
Large open spaces and visual breaks along certain road sections, riverside development
will contribute to the overall attractiveness of the city.
31.
Potential for increased Kathmandu City revenue
Decentralized city services will help intensify local revenue collection. The diversion of
some city functions will help make the city more attractive to business, as services will be
situated nearer the periphery, reducing travel time and costs.
32.
Prospects for more jobs and higher income
More jobs will be generated, resulting in higher household income due to increased
investments in new urban nodes.
33.
Risk reduced
Proper planning will lead to the reduction of risks, as programming, approval and
budgeting of the same will be ensured. New developments will be safer, compared to
those without interventions.
34.
Kathmandu City‟s leading role maintained
Heritage sites will be preserved. The new growth centers with specialized functions and
more expansion areas for universities, hospitals, shopping centers, non-pollutive
industrial estate, and residential subdivisions will contribute to maintaining Kathmandu
City‟s leading role in the Valley.
1.6
KMC Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan
This chapter pulls together the outputs of all preceding steps in the planning process, the data
gathered and analyzed, the issues debated and addressed in the workshops, the impressions of
participants as against their realization of the actual conditions of the city, using the chosen
spatial strategy as the organizing concept, and translates these lessons and insights into a
composite picture called the consolidated Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan or RSLUP.
As introduced in Chapter 1, the RSLUP shall serve as the long-term guide for shaping the
future physical growth of the city. It is the policy framework to be used by KMC in
exercising its authority to prescribe reasonable limits and restraints on the use of property
within its territorial jurisdiction, as allowed by the LSGA of 1999. Moreover, as one of its
major uses, the RSLUP shall be the basis for the enactment of a revised zoning ordinance for
the regulation of subdivision developments.
The RSLUP consists of four components corresponding to the major land use policy areas of
settlements, production, protection, and infrastructure. These four policy areas put together
shall cover KMC‟s entire territorial jurisdiction. The RSLUP is also aligned with the higherlevel physical framework plans such as those crafted by the KTDVC and MPPW.
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A discussion of the policy areas in terms of policy/legislation is presented in this chapter, with
the indicative location of each policy area identified down to the ward level. Due to time
constraints, and limited resources to conduct detailed surveys, an indicative zoning ordinance
has been made until a more detailed delineation of each policy area can be completed in
future opportunities. Much of the material is drawn from the KVTDC Building Bylaws of
2007.
The desired intervention for each policy area was further classified into two categories:
programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) and policy/legislation (see tables at the end of this
chapter). The policy/legislation category indicates possible governmental measures, in
addition to the zoning ordinance, that need to be enacted to support the implementation of the
RSLUP. The identified PPAs, on the other hand, serve as source materials for KMC to use in
preparing its annual public investment program.
1.6.1 Proposed Land Use Distribution in KMC
The proposed RSLUP classifies land in the following manner: protected land uses, production
land uses, settlements, and infrastructure. Where the land use plan is realized as envisioned,
the resulting mix of the four general land use types and their respective sub-types are
described below.
1.6.1.1 Protected Areas
Protected areas consist of resources and areas in the city that (1) enhance the proper
functioning of its natural environment, (2) protect human settlements from any form of
natural hazards, (3) promote biodiversity, natural beauty and physical endowments of the
area, (4) promote sustainable ecotourism development, and (5) create an aestheticallypleasing environment in the city.
In terms of the KVTDC groupings, the city‟s protected land uses include the Old City zone
(Cultural Heritage Conservation Zone, Preserved Monument Subzone, Preserved Cultural
Heritage Subzone, Mixed Old Residential Subzone, Protected zone/Recreational zone ( e.g.
park, forest, greenery, open space, historical, cultural and religious areas, etc.).
It is confronted with the following major issues: (a) disaster risk reduction and (b) use of
resources and its impact on protection areas
1.6.1.2 Production Areas
Production areas are those related to industries, commerce, tourism and recreation, food
production or the extraction of natural resources for their economic value.
In the context of Kathmandu City, land uses that comprise the production areas consist of the
Industrial Zone, Sports Zone and Commercial Sub-zone.
1.6.1.3 Settlement Areas
The city‟s settlement areas encompass primarily the residential portion of the built-up
environment. These include all private subdivisions, self-built housing sites, public housing
areas, and transient housing facilities. This land use category occupies the Residential Zone,
Dense Mixed Residential Sub-zone, Other Residential Sub-zones, and the Planned Residential
Sub-zone.
It is mainly concerned with the following: (a) Integration of activities within and among
settlements and the efficient production and movement of people and commodities, and (b)
Access of population to housing, education, health care, recreation, transportation and
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communication, sanitation and basic utilities such as water, power, waste disposal and other
services.
1.6.1.4 Infrastructure Areas
Under this functional category are all areas of the city that are devoted to major infrastructure
and utility systems. Under this broad category are the following infrastructure types:
economic, social, administrative, utilities and transport. Facilities that comprise this category
include roads, institutional facilities, cemeteries, roadside developments, terminals, and the
ecological waste management center. This land use category occupies the Institutional Zone,
City Expansion Zone, Transport Zone and Airport Zone.
In this land use planning exercise, the process for defining the land use policy areas began
with a description and understanding of the development directions and the resulting urban
fabric of the city. As a series of steps, they are outlined as follows:
Step 1.
Define, describe terminologies, approaches for land use and urban planning specific
to KMC.
Step 2.
Identify, describe, analyze and interpret the development situation (population/
settlements, economy, resources/environment and incomes/services, transport) and
relate to the current spatial form (e.g., arrangements, urban fabric) and to trends in
land use.
Step 3.
Interpret implications of risk (e.g. earthquake) to population or settlement, to
service functions, to building stock, revenues and the desired development
strategies.
Step 4.
List/organize the priority development issues (with risk management as a
development concern) in the different sectors to be addressed within 10 years.
Step 5.
Identify and describe the appropriate risk reduction policies (initial list against
earthquake) which support development goals and objectives (based on the desired
vision).
Step 6.
Identify and describe the initial land use policy framework.
The total area for the proposed land use based on GIS estimates is shown in Table 6.1
Table 1-26: Land Use Distribution for the Proposed Plan by Zone
NAME
Count
Hectares
FAR 100m. Commercial Sub Zone
1
408.76
FAR Highway Business Zone
1
76.29
Road Business Zone 25m. Buffer
1
343.86
30
34.01
3
1.69
10
6.86
Chamati (Land Pooling)
203
63.94
Core (Dense Area)
197
191.43
Dallu Awas (Land Pooling)
107
16.84
Dense Mixed
523
324.96
9
17.25
Balaju Industrial Area
Balaju Park
Bus Park
Golf Course
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NAME
Gongabu Awas
Count
Hectares
80
7.12
581
344.47
7
1.72
Kuleshwor Awas
153
31.65
Manohara (Land Pooling)
288
34.72
Nagarjun Protected Area
2
38.02
National Sports Council
6
4.98
217
39.96
4
20.13
25
18.41
332
14.45
Pasupati Conservation Area
94
79.34
Pond and Swimming Pool
67
6.23
Raniban (Protected Area)
1
7.30
8019
2831.21
195
95.25
Road Network
1
276.14
T. Intl. Airport
75
277.06
1
0.83
50
29.41
Commercial Sub Zone (25m. buffer)
1
320.47
Commercial Sub Zone (100m. buffer)
1
76.29
Bhagmati River (100m. Buffer)
1
155.24
Proposed High Rise Apartment. Buildings.
1
62.04
Govt. Institutions
Heritage
Naya Bazar (Land Pooling)
Open Area (Playground)
Open Space
Othere
Residence (Mixed)
River and River bank
World Heritage (Boudha)
World Heritage (Shwoyambhu)
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL SUB_ZONE
1.6.2 Land Use Policy Framework
1.6.2.1 Policies on Protected Areas
In this RSLUP, open space is recognized as a vital component of an orderly urban
environment that serves many irreplaceable functions. In establishing and expanding the
city‟s network of open spaces, KMC will have to adopt the following measures:






Conduct comprehensive inventory of existing and potential open spaces covering both
public and private lands;
Develop planning parameters with emphasis on linkage and continuity;
Consolidate past policies, plans and programs that are still relevant to the formulation and
adoption of a city open space development program;
Improve public support for open space preservation;
Review the building code to find ways of providing and maintaining the open space
system;
Integrate open spaces into the city‟s proposed road system (e.g. linear parks);
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


Adopt a policy of cooperation and collaboration with concerned land owners to monitor
and guide future action or decision to protect, conserve or develop these resources;
Acquire open spaces for public recreational purposes; and
Refocus preservation on the following open spaces: natural drainage corridors and
waterways, existing parks and playgrounds.
Kathmandu City recognizes the importance of open space both as an essential and lifesustaining resource and land use that enhances and improves the overall quality of the urban
environment. Through this RSLUP, it recognizes that urban and open space development
must be interwoven through the formulation and adoption of an appropriate policy on open
space recovery and improvement.
In KMC, protected areas are those areas requiring local legislation and/or community action
as well as those covered by specific laws and administrative issuances. They include
identified environmentally constrained areas that are prone to ground shaking, liquefaction,
and floods. Other areas shall also include all road easements, historical buildings, monuments
and heritage sites.
To preserve its functional character as a recreational public open space, policy intervention
will include restrictions on the following activities:





Dumping of any form of waste products, leaving in refuse in exposed or unsanitary
conditions, or depositing them in the ground or in bodies of water;
Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty, or objects of interest that
enhance the area‟s scenic value;
Damaging and leaving roads, trails and footpaths in a damaged condition;
Squatting, or otherwise occupying any land; and
Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosures, establishing any
business enterprise without a permit.
To effectively regulate all land using activities within the protection area, it will be grouped
further into management zones based on physical or environmental considerations, among
others. A strict protection zone shall be established (e.g. being off-limits to all forms of
building development and certain human activities). In areas where permanent buildings
already exist, any expansion will be regulated by enforcement of performance standards on
building height and bulk, density, open space ratio, traffic impact, among others, to be
established by local legislation.
To provide a basis for appropriate policy intervention, Local Area Plans or Master Plans (such
as for heritage sites) shall be prepared to guide human activities within each sub-zone
covering the entire area and, to a reasonable extent, its adjacent areas. Through a participatory
and consultative process, the formulation of the Local Area Plan will include the following
activities:




Detailed technical survey, mapping and monumenting;
Inventory of existing uses;
Development planning; and
Plan implementation, to include enforcement, social preparation, monitoring and
evaluation.
The plan will be implemented in consonance with this RSLUP.
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Easements of Public Use
The banks of rivers and streams throughout their entire length and within a zone of 25 meters
in urban areas, agricultural areas, and in forest areas along their margins, are subject to the
easement of public use. No person shall be allowed to stay in this zone longer than what is
necessary or to build structures of any kind.
To prevent destructive developments along the river system, all legal easements will form
part of the city‟s open spaces that will have equal status with other land uses. The above
provision of the law is hereby adopted in this RSLUP and all non-conforming uses shall be
subject to the mitigating measures to be provided in the zoning ordinance.
In line with the city‟s thrust to recover and rehabilitate its legal easements, policy and
legislative intervention will focus on the following:







Enforcement of the Nepal Water Code to recover legal easements;
Reclamation of riverbanks that have been destroyed or built upon;
Prohibition on the construction of permanent structures along the riverbank;
Redevelopment of portions of the bank into public open spaces such as linear parks;
Protection of the riverbank through tree planting and riverside vegetative protection;
Ensuring construction along riverside roads should be at the side, away from the river and
not on the river; and
Preservation of visual corridors in line with the city‟s open space program.
Environmentally-Constrained Areas
These are areas prone to natural hazards either hydrologic or geologic in nature. Although
settlement development has occurred and continues to occur in these locations, this can be
prevented in the future through the adoption and implementation of a city open space
development program, as well as improved building bylaws that will restrict certain
developments or human activities in areas that pose environmental hazards or risks to human
settlements.
In the city, areas exposed to seismic hazards will be surveyed and delineated on the ground.
As much as possible, these areas will be zoned if built upon and restricted to approved density
developments by KMC and other approving agencies (e.g. KTDVC, MoPPW).
A measure to minimize destruction and loss of lives resulting from ground shaking is for
KMC to come up with a local building code. This code will be based on a review of the
Nepal Building Code and on consideration of the unique geo-physical characteristics of
KMC. In the future, building developers shall be required to undertake a geo-technical study
as a prerequisite to securing a building permit.
In flood-prone areas, all constructions along the river or river easement will be considered as
illegal and therefore subject to demolition proceedings. Also, the dumping of solid waste into
the city‟s rivers will not be tolerated. Local legislation will focus on establishing stiffer
sanctions and penalties to discourage these activities.
National Road Easements
National roads customarily function as arterial roads. However, this function is often
jeopardized by the popular practice of building too close to the road, even to the extent of
encroaching on the road right-of-way (ROW).
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To allow national roads to continue to function effectively, a 14-25 meter regulatory setback
as specified in the Building By-laws from the edge of the ROW shall be enforced. This will
prevent encroachments along both sides of the road and contribute to the preservation of the
city‟s open space.
Heritage and Historic Preservation
Kathmandu City has many historic buildings and structures that reflect the heritage of the
people. To preserve the history of the city as reflected through its old buildings and structures,
guidelines for the preservation and rehabilitation of heritage sites and historical buildings
shall be formulated. Such guidelines will be focused on such aspects as adaptive re-use
methods and design controls.
KMC can tap the expertise of the Commission on World
Heritage and Historic Preservation for the formulation of appropriate heritage conservation
guidelines. A list of heritage sites is provided in the Annex of the Sectoral Profile.
1.6.2.2 Policies on Production Areas
Proper management practices must accompany the utilization of production areas at all times
so that their resources may continue to provide socially desired outcomes without getting
degraded or depleted. The production areas in the city include the commercial area or CBD,
agricultural croplands, tourism and recreational areas, and industrial area.
Commercial Areas/Strips
The commercial sub-zones identified in the Building Bylaws of 2007 under the mixed zone
will have the following development controls as shown in Table 6.2. Commercial Sub-zones
are plots adjacent to major roads, highways (e.g. Ring Road) or roads having width 14m or
higher up to the depth of 25m from road edge. Certain roads have been defined as
Commercial Zones which are shown in the KVTDC Land use map.
Table 1-27: Development Controls for Commercial Areas
S.N.
1.
2.
Building Type
according to use
Business/Residential
- do -
3.
School, College
4.
Government or Semi
Government Office
5.
Movie Hall, Theatre,
Conference Hall
6.
Star Hotel
7.
Business Complex
e.g. Super Market
Land Area
Maximum Ground
Coverage
Maximum
FAR
79.51 sq m to 254.5
sq m
70%
3
More than 254.5 sq m
50%
3
Any size of area
40%
2
Maximum
Height
2.5
-do-
50%
-do-
40%
2.5
40%
2.5
50%
2.5
-do -do-
Central Sector Growth Area and Corridor
This area encompasses the traditional CBD of the Central area and encompasses the city‟s
financial and business district. Land uses within the CBD will be comprised of dense
residential mixed uses such as retail trade, banking and finance, personal and community
services, transportation and telecommunication, and tourism-related uses.
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The policy agenda for this area will focus on its urban renewal, not only to revitalize the local
economy but also to improve the quality of life within the urban fabric. The following policy
objectives are proposed to strengthen the Central sector through inner city regeneration:





Removal of blight in or near the CBD which depresses property values;
Identification and acquisition of sites on which new developments such as office
buildings and other public structures could be undertaken;
Stronger participation of private developers or property owners within or near the CBD to
invest in the redevelopment of rundown premises;
Creation of a more favorable investment climate for development ; and
Substantial increases to the tax base of the city through the appreciation of the assessed
value of properties as a result of urban renewal.
Public intervention to modify or influence appropriate land uses within the CBD may also
include a range of policy or legislative activities on the following:







Land pooling to correct inappropriate developments;
Integration of open spaces into the design of the built-form to enhance urban aesthetics
and thus maintain property values;
Investment in economic development activities to create new or maintain existing
employment opportunities;
Circulation system to serve different segments of the population;
Improvement in the quality of city services;
Historical preservation designed to restore, or make useful, facilities of aesthetic or
historical merit; and
Design or development guidelines on outdoor signages; street furniture; traffic
management schemes; building height limit based on geotechnical studies; threshold
capacity of utilities, traffic generation potential, among others.
Other Growth Centers and Corridors
For the other growth centers and corridors, specific policy interventions have already been
emphasized in the previous chapter.
Industrial Area
Public action will focus primarily on the formulation of environmental and sanitation policies
and enabling ordinances.
Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Areas
Policy action towards developing the city‟s tourism and recreational potential involves the
formulation of a city-wide tourism plan that will lay down the necessary guidelines for the use
and development of certain areas for tourism and recreational purposes. In line with the
development of a Tourism Promotion Program, such guidelines will be used especially to
influence tourism-related developments in KMC.
1.6.2.3 Policies on Settlement Areas
Policies on producing safer communities from natural hazards may involve several or all of
the following approaches:
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







Enforcement of residential zoning identified in the 2007 Nepali building by-laws,
supported by ground verification;
Micro zoning of KMC and the Kathmandu Valley;
Vulnerability and risk assessments;
Land pooling in areas of highest risk;
Stricter implementation of building codes/by laws;
Awareness campaigns for owners (old and new) and builders on hazards and risks;
Consideration of routes for evacuation; and
New locations for residential living outside of KMC.
Relevant development controls obtained from the Building By-laws (translated portions)
applicable to residential areas are as follows:
Dense Mixed Residential Sub-zone
This is an area where settlement expanded beyond the core city zone. It lies in the middle of
Kathmandu City. Its eastern boundary is Dhobi Khola River, the western boundary is
Bishnumati River and the southern boundary is Bagmati River. The development control for
dense mixed residential subzone is shown in Table 6.3.
Table 1-28: Development Controls for Dense Mixed Residential Sub-zone
S.N.
1.
2.
Building Type
according to use
Residential
- do -
Land Area
Maximum Ground
Coverage
Maximum
FAR
79.51 sq m to 254.5
sq m
80%
2.5
More than 254.5 sq
m
60%
2.5
2
3.
School, College
Any size of area
40%
4.
Government or Semi
Government Office,
Nursing Home
-do-
40%
5.
Star Hotel
-do-
40%
3
6.
Movie Hall, Theatre
-do -
40%
2
7.
Cottage Industry,
Business Complex
e.g. Super Market
-do-
50%
2
Maximum
Height
As per light
plane
2
Other Residential Subzone
The development control for residential sub-zone is shown in Table 6.4 below.
Table 1-29: Development Controls for Residential Sub-zone
S.N.
1.
2.
Building Type
according to use
Residential
- do -
Land Area
Maximum Ground
Coverage
Maximum
FAR
79.51 sq m to 254.5
sq m
80%
1.75
More than 254.5 sq
60%
1.75
Maximum
Height
As per light
plane
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m
3.
School, College
Any size of area
40%
1.5
4.
Government or Semi
Government Office,
Nursing Home
-do-
40%
1.5
5.
Star Hotel
-do-
40%
3
6.
Movie Hall, Theatre
-do-
40%
2
7.
Cottage Industry,
-do-
40%
1.5
8.
Business Complex
e.g. Super Market
-do-
50%
2
Mixed Old Residential Sub-zone
This is a densely populated area located in the Central Core. It surrounds the Hanuman
Dhokha Durbar Square. Its urban pattern has developed since the Malla Period, with a trade
centre located in Ason, which is connected by roads from six different directions. Old houses
lie along the roads. Many bahals and bahils (open courts and courtyards) are also connected
to the roads. The development controls for mixed old residential sub-zone is shown in Table
6.5.
Table 1-30: Development Controls for Mixed Old Residential Sub-zone
Proposed Plot
Maximum ground
coverage
Maximum Height
Maximum
Storey
Maximum
FAR
Vacant Land
80%
45‟+7‟ 6”(Stair cover)
5
4
Replacing Old
building by
demolishing
100%
45‟+7‟ 6”(Stair cover)
5
4.5
Development controls for buildings with commercial use such as halls, theatres, and
supermarkets are different than for residential buildings. Table 6.6 shows the development
controls for commercial use in the Core sector.
Table 1-31: Development Controls for Commercial Use in the Core
Proposed Plot
Vacant Land
Maximum ground
coverage
50%
Maximum Height
45‟
Maximum
Storey
5
Maximum
FAR
2.5
a. Self-built Houses
For self-built houses, public action will focus on the enforcement of relevant provisions of the
Nepal Building Code and Building By-laws. The zoning ordinance will provide supplemental
guidelines on such requirements as setbacks, firewalls, open space, building height and bulk,
etc.
b. Public Housing
In consonance with the city‟s shelter program, there is a need to formulate development
guidelines in housing and site development on the following aspects: permitted uses,
conditional uses, open space ratio, firewalls, setbacks, fencing, building height/bulk limits,
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safety requirements, access, architectural style, drainage and sanitation systems, and parking,
among others. These development guidelines will direct future shelter/building developments.
c. Transient Housing
This type of housing caters to the city‟s population of students, sales representatives, national
government functionaries, corporate executives, and other transients who seek
accommodation for a limited period in the city. Guidelines will cover such aspects as
minimum room size, maximum occupancy, lighting and ventilation, fire exits and safety
equipment, parking and open space, gender-sensitive facilities, among others to ensure the
comfort, convenience and safety of these transients.
1.6.2.4 Policies on Infrastructure Areas
Economic Infrastructure
1. Public Markets – In line with KMC‟s thrust to disperse economic activities from the
traditional urban center, public action will focus on the selection of appropriate sites for
public markets in the different growth centers.
35.
Slaughterhouse – This facility will be used for the local market and will be planned in
accordance with the ordinance requirements of KMC and standards set by the National
Building Code.
Social Infrastructure
1. Public Schools – Public action will require land acquisition, preferably of adjacent lots, to
accommodate future expansion activities in preparation for the integration of pre-schools
into the formal educational system, and to accommodate additional increases in student
population. The growth centers will also provide new sites for proposed secondary school
campuses. Local legislation will ensure that planning guidelines for school building
construction include the following:
-
Location should be away from all major roads.
Buildings should be earthquake proofed
Vertical development and expansion should be encouraged.
There should be enough space to accommodate projected student population.
Public action will ensure that budget allocation from the Ministry of Education and KMC
will augment the Special Education Fund (SEF) for the development of the new sites.
36.
Private Schools – The expansion of private schools will be redirected towards identified
growth centers within the city. These new sites will be planned and developed in
accordance with a supplemental local ordinance to the National Building Code containing
campus planning and design standards.
37.
Non-Formal Educational Facilities – Legislative action will take the form of a request for
the establishment of a proposed secondary trade school with the objective to prepare the
graduates to engage in income-generation activities. This trade school will be established
in any of the growth centers.
38.
Health Centers – Additional units of these community facilities will be made available to
make health care and medical services and facilities accessible to all the local residents.
Likewise, new sites will be planned and developed in accordance with a supplemental
local ordinance to the National Building Code containing planning and design standards
for safe hospitals.
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39.
Day Care Centers – Public action will focus on land acquisition or rental of space for such
a service. Policy agenda will encourage the private sector and other public offices to set
up a child-minding facility within their premises.
40.
Public Libraries and Archives – The establishment of such facilities in the growth areas
will be a priority. A program to put up and modernize existing public libraries in the city
will be adopted.
41.
Reading Centers – These will be established in all wards.
42.
Sports and Recreational Facilities – This community facility will be established in all
growth centers through public-private partnership. They can be managed by KMC. Public
action will require public schools to open their sports facilities for use by the residents
outside of school hours.
43.
Public Assembly Areas and Open Areas–Public action will focus on rationalizing their
utilization so that they could be used for various purposes. They should be integrated into
a network of open spaces.
44.
Memorial Parks and Cemeteries –Legislative action will generate development guidelines
for the establishment and maintenance of cemeteries and memorial parks. Electric
crematorium sites are suggested.
45.
Public Order and Safety Offices – These will include fire protection and peace and order
facilities to support the disaster management and traffic management systems. Also as
important is the enactment of an ordinance prohibiting the obstruction of identified fire
truck access lanes, and requiring new buildings to be designed and constructed based on
environmental considerations unique to the city.
46.
Ecological Waste Management System Facility – Legislative action will require the
enactment of an ordinance requiring segregation and composting at the household level
and the setting up of such a system that will include the following: Ecological Waste
Management Center, with a sanitary landfill, Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and
composting areas. In this connection, legislative action will look into the prohibition of
backyard burning anywhere in the city.
Utilities and Transportation
47.
Power Supply and Distribution – Legislative intervention will focus on restoring the
power generation, to ensure reliable and uninterrupted power supply throughout the city.
It will also formulate regulations (based on industry standards) on joint use of distribution
facilities and explore alternative sources of power supply such as bio-gas, solar, and wind.
48.
Telecommunication – Regulation will focus on ensuring that public health and safety
aspects are considered in determining the location of cell sites.
49.
Sewerage System – Legislative action will entail the enactment of a local sanitation
ordinance and increase penalties for violators. It will also include the creation of an
office position for a sanitary engineer who will serve as a member of the staff of the
building official.
50.
Water Supply and Distribution System – Public action will entail joint regulation with the
National agencies of the development of public and private wells.
51.
Arterial Roads – Public action will focus on the recovery of road rights-of-way and to
develop them into additional lanes. To minimize traffic congestion within the city, the
“no on-street parking” policy will be strictly enforced especially within the central
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business district. A minimum lateral access to arterial roads shall be determined and will
also be enforced.
52.
Collector Roads –A minimum lateral access along proposed collector roads of not less
than 250 meters will be enforced and only collector roads will connect to arterial roads.
53.
Distributor Roads – The development of dead-end roads will be discouraged and all roads
must form part of a loop or series of loops.
54.
Subdivision Roads –Subdivision developers will be compelled to connect their main
subdivision road only to collector and distributor roads. The KMC Road design standards
will be used as a basis for improving existing local roads. These standards and guidelines
will be imposed on new road construction and will include provisions on sidewalks,
ramps, planting strips, street lighting, waiting sheds, and others.
55.
Street Furniture – Standards for street furniture, traffic signages, and overpass design will
be formulated. Traffic signals on on-grade pedestrian crossings will also be put up.
56.
Parking Facilities – KMC will formulate its own local standards on the provision of
parking and open space requirements. These will be made part of the Local Building
Code.
57.
Bus Terminals – Appropriate sites within the growth center for multi-modal bus terminals
will be identified.
58.
The following table provides details on proposed land use interventions, policies and
possible legislations
Following the development issues and problems that involved subjecting the disaster
management issues identified in the DRA to a problem-solving process resulted in the
proposed programs, projects, and actions as discussed below. Table 6.7 shows the proposed
PPAs linked with the risk-sensitive land use planning goals. The reduction of disaster risk is
an explicit goal of the proposed interventions. At the same time, they also meet the goals set
at land use policy areas i.e., protection, production, infrastructure, transport, and economic.
Implementing these PPAs promises improvement in the quality of life of the residents in
terms of access to better and disaster-resilient living spaces and economic opportunities.
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Table 1-32: Proposed Land Use Interventions
Land Use Policy Area
Proposed Interventions
Location
Programs/Projects/Activities
Policy/Legislation
PROTECTED AREAS
Parks
 Public (People‟s) Park
 Other Parks
 All public open
spaces used as park
 All other public
spaces
 Park Beautification and Maintenance Program
 All public land should be identified
 Development of public land should be encouraged
for the benefit of majority and emergency relief.
 Innovative approaches should be integrated into
the local building Bye Laws so that open spaces in
building development also become essential
/compatible components of city‟s open space
system
 Identification and development of emergency
Rescue system in open spaces

 Study the International approaches and practice,
modify to suit Nepalese context and adopt.
Riverside and Legal Easement
 Bagmati, Bishnumati,
Dhobi Khola and
Balkhu, Samakhusi,
 Manohara,Tukucha
,and all other natural
streams
 Development planning along City River corridor
 Emphasis must be placed on program to make
Air, Water and surface pollution free in river
corridor system
 River protection through planting and river de
vegetative protection
 Future road construction should not constrict the
rivers sections nor be built on top of it.
 Emphasis must be placed on preserving visual
corridors.
 Increase penalties for dumping waste into rivers
 Development of river bank portions into public open
spaces
 River protection policy
Information dissemination program
 Incorporation of codal provision of geo-technical
investigation for high ,medium and Low
Liquefaction areas
Environmentally Constrained Areas
Liquefaction areas
Areas included in
Engineering and
Environmental
Geological map of the
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Land Use Policy Area
197
Proposed Interventions
Location
Programs/Projects/Activities
Policy/Legislation
 Require pre requisite geo -technical study for
issuance of building permit/location clearance
Identification and recovery of natural waterways
Dredging of natural waterways, if necessary
Upgrading of existing drainage system
Construction of drainage /sewerage interceptor
 Increase penalties for illegal construction
 Better coordination between national and local
agencies in maintaining /improving the storm
drainage system
Kathmandu Valley
specially the liquefaction
hazard map of
Kathmandu Valley floor
map (MoHPP/UNDP
1993)
Flood-prone areas
River portions and low
lying areas along river
banks




 Strong ground shaking
impact areas in intensity
MMI VIII
 (mid-Nepal Earthquake)
High risk area, medium risk
area, low risk area
All areas under Intensity
MMI VIII (Mid Nepal
earthquake)





Dissemination
Awareness programs
Review of Vulnerability assessment
Effective enforcement of building code
Development of building code for Retrofitting of
building
 Note: For reference, MMI VIII up to VIII high risk
 From VI-VIII medium risk
 Up to VI low risks
 Review of building by-laws and building code to
consider ground shaking intensities in formulation
of building development policies such as FAR, open
spaces ,new constructions, repairs, partitions access
widths and arrangement, reconstruction permitting
etc.
Agricultural land
High risk area
Remaining areas
Northeastern ,
northwestern and
eastern parts of KMC
(Manohara river side)
 Soil suitability studies
 Technical assistance on conversion to high value
crops (cut flower, vegetables, fruit trees)
Development of production protection policy in high
hazard areas
Others
Right of way (ROW)
All urban roads
including other national
highways. (Ganesh Man
Singh Path, Arniko
Highway and District-
 Right of way recovery according to the by-laws
 Improvement of roads for emergency.
 Alternate means of road in old settlement/heritage
site
Enforce the setback from the edge of the right of way
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Land Use Policy Area
Proposed Interventions
Location
Programs/Projects/Activities
Policy/Legislation
level high way
Nuwakot)
Heritage and Historic Preservation
World heritage sites, national
heritage and local heritage
sites
 Showambhu,
Pasupati, Hanuman
dhoka, Baudha as per
heritage list.
 Kalamochan, Baha
and Bahi of the core
area/ courtyards and
Bihar/Chaityas as per
existing land use
zoning map.
 Continuity for official listing and adoption
 Effective enforcement of by-laws to conserve
heritage.
 Prevent squatting on heritage buildings.
 Allow sustainable use (cultural and economical
sustainability)
 Strengthening of Heritage unit (Division)
 Formulate development guidelines for these areas in
consultation with the Heritage and Historic
Preservation Authority considering
 Development alternatives, reverse taxation
Stone spouts, wells and ponds
Existing in all City core
area and historical places





Official listing and adoption
Source protection where ever possible.
Rehabilitation and restoration for every use.
Prevent encroachment.
Detailed planning and programming for their
restoration, preservation, and rehabilitation.
 Allow adaptive use for both normal and emergency
condition
 Set guidelines for architectural/landscape design
 Formulate development guidelines in consultation
with the Heritage and Historic Preservation
Authority up to use in emergency.
Traditional/historical buildings
(Public and private)
Existing in all city core
area and historical places





Official listing and adoption
Regeneration plan
Rehabilitation and restoration
Vulnerability assessment and retrofitting.
Detailed planning and programming for the
restoration, preservation, and rehabilitation
 Retrofit policy, Protection of heritage, private
buildings
 Set guidelines for architectural and structural
design
 Formulate development guidelines for these areas
and adopt these in building by laws.
Cremation ground, cemetery
areas
Existing in all and
expansion as per
requirement. Bishnumati
(Shova Bhagabati),
 Official listing and adoption
 Rehabilitation/ restoration and scientific
management of heritage sites
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 Policy development of these areas
 Allow adaptive re-use
 Set guidelines for architectural and structural design
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Land Use Policy Area
Proposed Interventions
Location
Bagamati (Pasupati area)
and Teku Dovan
199
Programs/Projects/Activities

 Development plan for new cremation ground.
Policy/Legislation
 Formulate development guidelines in consultation
with Department of Archeology and Heritage
Conservation













 Formulate development guidelines focusing on
DRM and DMP for: Areas for small scale land
pooling, conservation/restoration,
redevelopment/renewal , tourism/recreation.
controlled urban development
 Review applicable National Bldg. Code and by-laws
provisions and enactment of a supplemental code
compliant with local conditions
- Regulation of outdoor signage
- Develop mechanisms to guide the construction
of limited building complexes
- Formulate guidelines to restrict site area
limitations.
- Guidelines regulating setbacks
- Traffic management schemes
- Building height limitations to be guided by
geotechnical studies. Threshold capacity of
utilities, traffic generation potential, among others
shall guide building development
- Review/integrate applicable local development
consistent with urban renewal strategies at the
core area
PRODUCTION AREAS
1. Commercial
 Business Growth Center
(central area growth area
and corridor)
 250 meter influence area on
highway
 100meter for arterial roads
 Central sector of
KMC
 River Corridor
 Highway
Identify areas for small-scale land pooling
Urban renewal program
Sidewalk recovery
Development of public landmarks
Study of alternate route to the center
Identify streets to open to pedestrians
Identify streets for arcaded sidewalks
Construct pedestrian overpass
Development of public landmarks
Network of parks and open spaces
Disaster management plan.(DMP)
Areas for emergency rescue shelter.(ERS)
Others
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Land Use Policy Area
Proposed Interventions
Location
Programs/Projects/Activities
Policy/Legislation
Eastern Growth Center and
corridors
 Master Development Plan (MDP) for urban
expansion areas
 Feasibility Studies
 Development Guidelines
 Site Development of different components
 Resolution approving the MDP and other Local
Development plans
 Formulate policy/development guidelines on Mixed
use Developments especially in maintaining
medium to low density residential areas.
 Adopt similar guidelines to heritage sites in this area
and develop specific sites as tourism areas
 Commercial strip to provide another growth area
and supported by medium density residences
 Building height limitations to be guided by
geotechnical studies and other restrictions; (e.g.
airport). Threshold capacity of utilities, traffic
generation potential, among others shall guide
building development
North Sector and north
corridor
 Master Development Plan (MDP) of urban
expansion areas
 Feasibility Studies
 Development Guidelines
 Site Development of different components
 North areas near periphery/ Ring road to develop as
residential sites ( medium to low density areas
 Building height, visual landscape to complement
forest areas, natural landscape
 Area to be developed as natural tourism area
Balaju Industrial Area
 Social vulnerability assessment project
 Handicraft and Tourism Promotion Centre
 Environment and sanitation policies and enabling
laws/ordinances
 Review of handicraft policy in local level plans and
programs
All major riversides with
sewerage connections
and adjacent to waste
dumping sites, some
road corners and muddy,
 Social impact assessment project
 Proper pollution management plan
 Environment and sanitation policies, and enabling
laws/ordinances for the following materials:
 Pollutive, non hazardous and pollutive, hazardous
and air pollution and garbage
 Non-pollutive, non- hazardous and non-pollutive
2. Industrial
All formal industrial areas
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Location
201
Proposed Interventions
Programs/Projects/Activities
dusty areas
Policy/Legislation
and hazardous
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AREAS
Educational Institutions (Public and Private)
Schools (pre-primary,
primary, secondary), Colleges,
Universities, training centers,
Vocational Schools, School
for physically challenged
children and others
KMC
 Inspection program for school facilities
 Special schools for physically/mentally challenged
children and/or dedicated
 classrooms for visually impaired pupils and more
classrooms for SPED pupils
 Allocate budget from DEO and KMC to establish
Special Education Fund (SEF) for the new sites
 Allocate budget for special education for
physically/mentally challenged children
 Promotion of growth centers as sites for expansion
of existing and new private schools
 Supplemental code to the National Building Code
containing campus planning and design standards
 Promotion and implementation of safe schools
guidelines
Schools (pre-primary, primary,
secondary), Colleges,
Universities, training centers,
Vocational Schools, School
for physically challenged
children and others
KMC
 Study the set-up of a Technical and Vocational
School in coordination with the Centre for
Technical Education and Vocational Training
(CTEVT
 Preparation of School inventory with distribution
pattern
 Identification of new school sites considering
distribution and less hazard areas
 Establish a secondary technical and vocational
school to prepare the graduates to engage in incomegeneration activities
 Budget allocation for such facilities
 Promotion and implementation of safe schools
guidelines
 Land acquisition, preferably in growth centers, as
new sites for the proposed pre-primary, elementary
and secondary schools
 Formulate development guidelines for safe school
building construction such as:
Schools (pre-primary, primary,
secondary), Colleges,
Universities, training centers,
Vocational Schools, School
KMC
 Safe Schools Program including structural, nonstructural & functional aspects in the new
construction
 -Locating schools away from major roads
 -Situating school buildings in flood-free sites and
providing them with efficient drainage systems
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Land Use Policy Area
Proposed Interventions
Location
Programs/Projects/Activities
 Vulnerability Assessment of the existing buildings
and Rehabilitation, upgrading & maintenance of
existing school buildings in coordination with
District Education Office (DEO)
for physically challenged
children and others




Policy/Legislation
-Encouraging vertical development
Buildings should be able to accommodate
the projected student population.
-Factors such as ground shaking and liquefaction
should be considered in site identification and
construction of school buildings.
Health Institutions & Care Facilities (Public & Private)
Hospitals, Nursing Homes,
Urban Health Clinics (UHC)
KMC
 Decentralization and development of health
services at the ward and community levels.
 Safe Hospitals Program
 Ensure access by local residents to health care and
medical services
 Request to allocate budget for decentralization and
institutional strengthening of urban health clinics
Day Care Centers Child Care,
Old age
KMC
 Establishment of day care centers and provision of
support grant for promoting their use
 Safe Day Care Center
 Land acquisition or rental of buildings
 Encourage private sector and other public offices to
put up child-minding facilities
 Regular monitoring and regulation of the day care
centers
 Coordination between the with DEO, Social Welfare
Council, and Child Welfare Committee on the
operation and continued development of day care
centers.




 Establishment of libraries in each ward.
 Provision of funds from collected revenue for
establishing and running the ward-level libraries
 Development of libraries as local archives to
conserve the local culture, history and heritage
 Development of the libraries as reading and research
centers
Other Public Facilities, Parks
Public Libraries & Archives
KMC Head office and
in all 35 wards.
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Public Library Modernization Program
Construction of a Main City Library.
Development of archiving facilities
Diversification of services in electronic
storage/retrieval and multi-media services
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Land Use Policy Area
Location
203
Proposed Interventions
Programs/Projects/Activities
Policy/Legislation
Museum
Hanuman Dhoka,
Swayambhu Chhauni,
Pashupati,
 Hanuman Dhoka Basantapur Darbar Square
Museum Development Program consisting of a
Library-Museum.
 Swayambhu Chhauni Museum Development
Program.
 Budget allocation by Department of Archaeology,
Nepal Government and Hanuman Dhoka Darbar
Square Conservation Program.
 Updating and upgrading of the museum.
Recreational parks, sport
facilities,
 Balaju, Ranipokhari,
Sankhapark
 Recreational sites Bhrikuti Mandap,
Balaju Baisdhara
park, Ratnapark
Ranipokhari,
Shankhapark,
Tinkune park.
 Sports- Tundikhel,
Sanogoucharan,
Siphal Chour,
Lainchour ground,
Naxal Narayan chour
(private land) ,
 Provision of facilities such as musical fountains and
areas for boating
 Identification of sites for both indoor and outdoor
sports and recreational facilities in Janta Sadak,
ward no 35, and Gothatar
 Signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between
the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Sports
Council, and KMC for the management of the
sports facilities
 Construction of multi-purpose grounds for cricket,
football, volleyball, tennis, dandi biyo, kabadi,
swimming, taekwondo, shooting, and athletics.
 Provision of roofs for all remaining uncovered
courts in identified wards.
 Public-private partnership initiatives
 Water use Zonation
 Co-management between Ministry of Youth and
Sports, National Sports Council, KMC sports and
youth clubs
 Allow the public use of sports facilities within
public schools during periods outside of school
hours, such as weekends.
 Create basket funds for enhancing sports activities.
 Establishment of a metropolitan level sports council
involving local youth and sports club, the National
Sports Council, the Federation of Industry and
Commerce, and KMC.
 Formulation of the guidelines to regulate the
Metropolitan Sports Council.
Theme parks, bowling alleys,
billiard halls, music lounges,
discos/bars, computer gaming
centers
All commercial
buildings and shopping
malls.
 Regular inspection for compliance with fire safety
standards
 Promotion of potential recreational facilities:
 orchidarium, aviary, mini-zoo, camping grounds,
botanical garden
 Promotion of potential sports facilities: race tracks,
golf courses, shooting range,
 Increase in sanctions and penalties for violations the
building by-laws
 Amendment of building by-laws to incorporate
regulations for recreational facilities in commercial
buildings (excluding the recreational area in FAR.)
 Public Assembly Areas
 Rastriya Sava Griha/ City
 Ward-31, 30, 34, 16,
 32, 11 and all other
 Vulnerability assessment and retrofitting of the
buildings with other safety measures
 Policy on the use of these facilities (public as well
as private) ensuring its availability in emergency
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Land Use Policy Area
Hall
 National Academy Hall,
 Rastriya Nach Ghar Hall.
 International Conference
Hall.
 Brikuti Mandap Exhibition
Hall,
 Judo Hall Naya bajar
 House of Representatives,
Singha Darbar
 Dasarth Rangashala
(National Stadium)
 Khulamanch, Sainik.
Manch, Tundikhel
Existing open land in
government office premises
e.g.. Open land of DUDBC,
Khumaltar, Election
Commission
Location
public assembly
area in private
premises like
cinema, shopping
complex
university/college
hall, parking areas
KMC
 Critical facilities and
offices dealing with Public
Order and Safety
 Office buildings of
telecommunication, fire &
police station, army
barracks & offices, airport
 Equal distribution of those
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Proposed Interventions
Programs/Projects/Activities
 Improvement of existing facilities (e.g. fountain,
piped-in music, children's playground, movable
planters, parking slots)
 Improvement and rehabilitation of the amphitheater
to serve as a multi-purpose facility: (i.e. daytime
parking facility)
 Construction of fences, fountains and addition of
piped-in music
Policy/Legislation
 Specific by-laws in public assembly areas
considering structural safety and ERS

 Addition of greenery and service facilities (e.g., day
care centers, fast food and restaurants, restrooms,
entertainment, cyber cafe)
 Rationalization of the use of the Astrodome
 Consider use of private sector resources as one of
the policy options
 Identification of all such open spaces and formal
listing
 Grouping of the areas as per the size
 Dissemination of the information to all the
stakeholders
 Prepositioning of emergency supplies in these land
 Policy on the use/protection of those open land with
focus on
- discouraging permanent construction for office
expansion (vertical)
- discouraging permanent construction for income
generation
- promoting for ERS
 Vulnerability assessment and retrofitting of the
office buildings with other safety measures
 Study project on fire protection including location
fire station in each growth center, strengthening of
existing capacity in terms of no of fire brigades,
training for human resources development and other
programs as suggested by the study
 Provision of fire hydrants at strategic locations
 Specific by-laws for the offices of critical facilities
and considering more stringent structural safety and
ERS
 Fire code development and fire protection policy
 Establishment of a disaster risk reduction/
emergency management unit as a regular office
under KMC or MOHA with specific functions,
structure and working relationships with related
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Land Use Policy Area
Location
offices in the city
 Strategic roads and bridges
for quick evacuation and
rescue
 Integrated Waste
Management System
 Waste Mgt. Center with a
sanitary landfill
 Material Recovery Facility
(MRF)
 Composting areas
 North Area (with
JICA)
 Every ward or
cluster of wards
(with GTZ)
 Every ward or
cluster of wards,
central composting
area
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Proposed Interventions
Programs/Projects/Activities
throughout the city, provision of a police substation for each growth center, communication
systems even for the ward level
 Identification of strategic roads & bridges as access
to be kept open at all times, in accordance with
building by-laws) and even acquisition of land if
necessary
 IEC program for evacuation plan
Policy/Legislation
local and national government agencies
 Enactment of an ordinance prohibiting the
obstruction of identified fire brigade and other
emergency vehicle access lanes
 Negotiations for the establishment of the Waste
Management Center
 Conduct of further studies on site suitability
 Provision of an MRF in every ward
 Enactment of an ordinance requiring segregation
and composting at the household level
 Enactment an ordinance prohibiting backyard
burning
TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
 Reduce existing vulnerability of exposed electric
cables, poles and transformer by replacing
distribution of under ground cabling system
 Promotion of alternative energy in KMC
 Policy to encourage alternative energy by exploring
alternative sources of power supply i.e., bio-gas,
solar, windmill
 Promotion of safe electrical
construction/installation
Telecommunication (internet,
cable TV, etc.)
 Reduce existing vulnerability of exposed cables,
poles and mobile tower on unsafe building by
replacing and vulnerability assessment of those
buildings
 Policy on the placement and its distribution of the
mobile tower
 ensuring its function during emergency
Sewerage System
 Inventory of all sewerage and sanitation facilities
and their compliance with the sanitation, plumbing
 Enact a local sanitation ordinance and increase
penalty for violators
Power Supply and Distribution
KMC
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Land Use Policy Area
Location
Proposed Interventions
Programs/Projects/Activities
and water codes
 Preparation of sewerage plans for priority
development areas e.g., growth centers, light
industrial park, recreational/leisure zone
 Review of study conducted on the proposed
sewerage system
Policy/Legislation
Storm waster Drainage System
and Flood Control Facilities
 Regular maintenance of the existing drainage
system
 Extension of the drainage system
 Policy on the use of plastic bags which is the major
cause of blockage
 Promote decentralized drainage system
 Alternative use of flood plain and open spaces for
urban agriculture/greenery;
Water Supply and Distribution
 Identify main lines to be used for emergency and
make its eq. resistant
 Policy on the conservation of ground water
 Policy on rain water harvesting
 Subsidies for alternative energy and rainwater
harvesting and ground water recharge system.
Arterial Roads
Existing:
Proposed:
 Upgrading of existing arterial roads to comply
with construction standards
 Widening of arterial roads to lane roads
 Conduct of a comprehensive traffic management
study for the whole city
 Review of ground shaking and liquefaction impacts
on existing roads and bridges and prioritizing
reconstruction of segments identified in the ADPC,
JICA study
 Recovery of ROW and development into additional
lane utilizing the shoulder
 Enforcement of “no on-street parking policy”
 Conduct of priority study on construction of inner
ring road, subject to feasibility study
 Identification of possible alternative funding
schemes for construction of proposed roads
 Designation of the minimum lateral access along
proposed arterial roads at every 500 m
Collector Roads (7m)
 Upgrading of existing collector roads to comply
 Designation of minimum lateral access along
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Distributor Roads
Location
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Proposed Interventions
Programs/Projects/Activities
with construction stds
 Widening of collector
Policy/Legislation
proposed collector roads of not less than 250 meters
 Stipulation that only collector roads will connect to
arterial roads
 Upgrading of existing collector roads to comply
with construction stds
 Widening of collector
 Avoid construction of dead-end streets
 Stipulation that subdivision roads must link to
collector and/or distributor roads
 A Stipulation that no subdivision road should
connect to arterial roads
 Proponents must secure clearance for any
excavation works from the City Engineer‟s Office
 Development of road design standard as basis for
improving existing local roads, to be enforced in
new road construction; includes provision of
sidewalks and planting strips, street lights, waiting
sheds, etc.
Private land roads
Street furniture (sidewalks,
planting strips, street lighting,
pedestrian crossing, side ditch,
waiting sheds, traffic lights,
signages, etc.)
 Sidewalk recovery project
 Provide overhead directional signs and convex
mirrors along blind curves
 Provide on-grade and above-grade pedestrian
crossing facilities
 Incorporation of aesthetic and functional elements in
design of street furniture
 Provision of traffic signals for on-grade pedestrian
crossing
 Adoption of user-friendly design for overpasses
Parking facilities
 Identification of road sections where on-street
parking may be allowed
 Imposition of on-street pay parking
 Enactment of supplemental code to include
standards on parking provision and other open space
requirements i.e., green space
 Offering of incentives to private investors to
construct multi-level parking facilities
 Enforcement of penalties for reckless driving
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Land Use Policy Area
Location
Proposed Interventions
Programs/Projects/Activities
Policy/Legislation
Identification of sites within the growth centers for
multi-modal bus terminals
 Policy on truck parking
 Public Markets
 e.g Bhrikuti Mandap and
other open markets
 Listing of existing markets
 Decentralization at lowest level possible
 Specific time allocation
 Rehabilitation and modernization of public markets
outside of the ring road
Self-built
 Mason Training Program for earthquake resistant
building technology
 Orientation on earthquake resistant building
technology for house owners, contractors, builders
 Instituting the training of builders and masons on
safe building construction
 Formulation of supplemental by-laws to contain
requirements on setbacks, firewalls, open space,
building heights, building bulk, etc. for nonengineered houses
Public housing
 Land Pooling /Housing and Resettlement Program
 Inclusion of land use/site development plan with
public facilities, employment areas
 Conduct of feasibility studies for structural
improvement of all types of housing
 Formulation of guidelines supporting the building
by-laws on city shelter and resettlement program to
include permitted uses, conditioned uses, open
space, firewalls, setbacks, fencing, building height,
safety requirements, access, building bulk, preferred
architectural style, drainage and sanitation, parking,
etc.
 Sites for low cost housing and packaging for
affordability by low income groups
Transient housing (for
students, transients e.g. rental
houses, night shelters)
Survey of structure/building conditions of existing
transient housing facilities
 Formulation of guidelines for transient housing
supporting the Building by-Laws to cover minimum
requirements on room size and maximum number of
occupants, lighting and ventilation, fire exits and
fire safety equipment, parking and open spaces,
gender-sensitive facilities, etc.
Bus terminals and Truck
terminals
Growth centers
ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE
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1.7
Zoning Ordinance
1.7.1 Kathmandu Metropolitan City: An Ordinance Adopting a Risk-Sensitive
Land Use Plan, Zoning and Building By-Laws
1.7.1.1 Introduction
The Local Self-Governance Act, 2055 (1999), in its Preamble, has stated that:
“… it is expedient to:
“Make provisions conducive to the enjoyment of the fruits of democracy through the utmost
participation of the sovereign people in the process of governance by way of decentralization.
“Institutionalize the process of development by enhancing the participation of all the people
including the ethnic communities, indigenous people and down-trodden as well as socially
and economically backward groups in bringing out social equality in mobilizing and
allocating means for the development of their own region and in the balanced and equal
distribution of the fruits of development.
“Have institutional development of local bodies capable of bearing responsibility, by
providing such responsibility and power at the local level as in necessary to formulate and
carry out plans, and
“Constitute local bodies for the development of the local self-governance system in a manner
that they are able to make decisions on the matters affecting the day-to-day needs and lives of
the people by developing local leadership”
The LSGA in strengthening the role of the Municipality has, in Section 3, set to pursue the
following principles and policies for the development of local self-governance system:
a. Devolution of such powers, responsibilities and means and resources and are required to
make the local bodies capable and efficient in local self-governance.
b. Building and development of institutional mechanism and functional structure in Local
Bodies capable of considering for local people and bearing responsibilities.
c. Devolution of powers to collect and mobilize such means and resources as are required to
discharge the functions, duties, responsibility and accountability conferred to the Local
Bodies.
d. Having the Local Bodies oriented towards establishing the civil society based on
democratic process, transparent practice, public accountability and peoples participation
in carrying out the functions devolved on them.
e. For the purpose of developing local leadership, arrangement of effective mechanism to
make the local body accountable to the people in its own areas.
f.
Encouraging the private sector to participate in local self-governance in the task of
providing basic services for sustainable development.
The LSGA, in Section 96, then goes on to outline the mandatory functions and duties to be
performed by the Municipality as follows:
1.
“(b) Relating to Physical Development:
-
To frame land use map of the Municipality area and specify and implement or cause
to be implemented, the industrial, residential agricultural, recreational areas etc.
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59.
To prepare housing plan in the area of Municipality and implement or cause to be
implemented the same.
To carry out plans on drinking water and drainage in the areas of Municipality and
operate, maintain and repair or cause to be operated, maintained and repaired the
same.
To develop, or cause to be developed, green zones, parks and recreational areas in
various places in the Municipality area.
To approved or cause to be approved designs of houses, buildings etc. to be
constructed in the areas of the Municipality.
“…the Municipality may also perform the following optional functions in the
Municipality area:
-
To control unplanned settlement within the Municipality area.
To make the structure and development of the town well-planned through the
functions such as guided land development and land use.
To arrange for the supply of electricity and communications facilities.
To arrange for recreational parks, playing grounds, museums, zoos, parks etc. in the
Municipality area.
In order to reduce unemployment, to collect the data of unemployed person and
launch employment generating programmes.
To carry out preventive and relief works to lessen the loss of life and properly caused
from natural calamity.
Section 3 of the LSGA further mandates municipalities to formulate their own plans, viz:
-
Each Municipality shall have to formulate periodical and annual development plans
for the development of the municipal area.
In formulating the plans, the Municipality shall, as per necessity, have to launch
plans such as land-use, land-pulling, and guided land development for making the
development of the municipal area balanced and planned.
In formulating plans pursuant to sub-sections (1) and (2), the Municipality may, as
per necessity, obtain external consultancy service.
In formulating the plans, Municipality shall have to give priority to the following
projects:
Projects which are income-generating and from which consideration may be obtained
sooner.
Projects raising living standard, income and employment of, and giving direct
benefits to, the people of the Municipality, and contributing to poverty alleviation.
Projects which can be operated with low cost and larger people‟s participation.
Project to be operated through local means, resources and skills.
Projects providing direct benefits to the women as well as backward class and
children.
Projects that can contribute to protect and promote the environment.
In formulating annual plans, the following matters have to be taken as the basis.
Directives received from the National Planning Commission and the District
Development Committee on national development policy.
Overall necessities indicated by periodical plans.
Suggestions received from the Ward Committee.
The LSGA likewise provided for the Process of Implementation as embodied in the following
Sections:
Section 112.
Preparation of Resource Map
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Section 113.
Feasibility Study of the Projects to be Carried Out
Section 114.
Selection of the Project
Section 115.
Coordination among Municipality, Governmental and Non=governmental
Agencies
Section 116.
Operation of Municipal Level Project
Section 117.
Implementation and Management of Project
Section 118.
Appraisal and Evaluation of Projects
Section 119.
Consumer‟s Group to be Formed
Section 121.
Non-Governmental Organization to be Encouraged
Section 122.
Directives to be abided by: The Municipality shall have to abide by the
directives given by the National Planning Commission, His Majesty‟s
Government of Nepal and the District Development Committee in respect of
the formulation and operation of the town development plan.
Section 124.
Repair, Maintenance and Management of the Project:
-
The Municipality may collect service charge from the beneficiaries of a
project for the repair and maintenance of the project.
The repair, maintenance and necessary management of the project shall be
dome with the amount of the service charge collected pursuant to sub-section
(1).
The Municipality shall have to maintain an up-to-date account of incomes
and expenditures as referred to in sub-sections (1) and (2).
In the matter of Building Constitution, the LSGA has provided the following
pertinent provisions:
Section 149.
Prohibition on Construction of Building without Obtaining Approval: No
person shall, without obtaining construction approval from the Mayor, do
construction of a building in the municipal area.
Explanation: In this section, “construction of building” means the act to construct a new
building, to reconstruct by demolishing the old building, to add a storey or to alter the façade,
or to construct a window, door verandah, attic, porch, shed, stable or garage or erecting a
compound wall in alternation of the existing design.
Section 150.
Application for Approval: Any person or governmental office desiring to
construct a building shall have to make an application, in the prescribed
format, along with the design of the building to the Municipality for the
approval to construct the building.
Explanation: In this section, “governmental office” means and includes all governmental
offices and courts as well including the offices of the Supreme Court, Parliament, Raj
Parishad (Royal Council), commission for the Investigation of the Abuse of Authority,
Auditor General, Public Service Commission and other constitutional bodies, and Royal
Nepal Army as well as Nepal Police.
Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), in making application for approval to
construct a building, if any public body is not allowed to submit the design of the building on
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account of national security, it may mention only the length, breadth, height and storey of the
building and its total area in the application.
Section 152.
Submission of Document of Ownership and Possession or Deed of Consent:
In making application pursuant to Section 150 for approval to construct a
building, if construction is to be done in the land of one‟s own ownership and
possession, the document showing the ownership and possession of the land,
and if the construction is to be done in the land of any other person „s
ownership and possession, the document showing the ownership and
possession of such person as well as a deed of consent shall have to be
submitted.
Section 156.
Approval of Design:
-
In giving the approval to construct any building pursuant to Section 155, the
Mayor shall also have to approve the design of such a building.
In approving the design of any building pursuant to sub-section (1), the
Mayor may approve it by making necessary alteration in the design in a
manner to be conformity with the physical development plan and the
standards set pursuant to the prevailing law
Section 157.
Alteration in Design: If any alteration has to be made subsequently in the
design approved pursuant to Section 156, the Mayor may permit for such
alteration in the design, without being prejudicial to the standards set under
the prevailing law, to do other acts expecting the addition of storey, change
of façade of increasing its length, breadth.
Section 160.
Period of Construction of Building:
-
Section 161.
If the approval to construct a building has been given according to this Act,
such a building shall have to construct within two years from the date of such
approval.
In the event of failure to construct the building within the time-limit specified
under sub-section (1), an application shall have to be made to the
Municipality for extension of the time-limit.
If any application is made pursuant to sub-section (2), the Mayor may extend
the time-limit for up to two years by collecting an additional fee at the rate of
five percent of the previously paid fee.
Inquiry and Proceedings:
(4) In case it is held, as per the report submitted pursuant to sub-section (2),
that anyone has constructed or is constructing a building without obtaining
approval pursuant to this Act or by encroaching upon any public land, road,
temple, courtyard sewerage, canal, pond, etc,. Mayor shall have to order to
demolish the building or any portion thereof.
Section 163.
Demolition of Building and Recovery of Expenditures Incurred
The above provisions having been provided for in the LSGA, the Kathmandu
Metropolitan City hereby adopts and promulgates the following Ordinance
and in accordance therewith and in support thereof.
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1.7.1.2 Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan and Building Regulation, 2009
This section describes the Zoning Ordinance of the KMC made under the provision of the
Local Self-Governance Act of 1999, specifically, Sections 96- Functions, Duties and Power
of Municipality, and Section 111- Formulation of Plans of Municipality, among others.
1.7.2 Part I: General Guidelines/Principles/Procedures
1.7.2.1 Introduction
1.
This Ordinance may be cited as the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Land Use, Zoning and
Building Ordinance. (This may alternatively be cited as the Kathmandu Risk-Sensitive
Land Use Plan and Policies and its Implementing Zoning Ordinance and Building
Regulations.)
It is applicable to the physical area located within the geographical and administrative
boundaries of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, pursuant to Section 76 of the LSGA.
2.
This Ordinance includes the following documents
a. The Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan of KMC;
b. The Land Use Policies Framework in relation to the Land Use Plan;
c. The Zoning Ordinance that would serve as the Implementing Guidelines for
the Land Use Plan and its underlying policies; and
d. The Building Regulations for the permissible uses designated in the Land Use
Plan;
All of these documents have statutory status and the same legally binding power.
3.
This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval by the KMC Council and publication in
the official Gazette and shall be implemented by KMC itself in coordination with other
appropriate agencies of Government as may be appropriate. Where required, KMC must
abide with the by-laws that require prior approval by higher authorities such as KVTDC
and concerned Ministries – Local Development, Planning and Physical Works, among
others.
Purpose and coverage of the Ordinance
1.
The provisions of this Ordinance aim to assist KMC, its Council, and its various
instrumentalities, offices and staff, in realizing a Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan that fully
integrates DRR provisions in the spatial and physical development strategies, regulatory
planning tools, and related by-laws and procedures, with the full vision of transforming
KMC into “A tourism center based on heritage and culture with healthy responsible and
economically active citizens, living in a clean, safe and disaster resilient environment.”
(KMC Vision statement)
2.
This Ordinance, likewise, intends to provide implementing guidelines in order to achieve
an orderly, efficient and environmentally sustainable development for KMC by
prescribing a general policy framework plan, norms and standards for land use planning
and control, and regulatory devices for building and structure design and construction.
3.
This Ordinance shall cover four general land use areas, namely, protected areas,
settlements, production areas and infrastructure support areas; with disaster risks in mind
in order to develop safe forms and patterns of land uses that will integrate the built into
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the un-built space in order to fulfill the right of every constituent to a clean, safe and
disaster resilient place to live in.
4.
This Ordinance shall, as judged to be feasible, address the concepts of DRM and DRR
through appropriate risk assessments and commitment to enforce the provisions of this
ordinance and considering the benefits and costs for a safe place and sustainable
environment to live in.
Basic Principles Addressed



Natural hazards are causing greater harm to communities, existing facilities, and socioeconomic institutions and are threatening the future of sustainable development. Major
disaster can wipe out any progress in physical development and economic growth.
Disasters are largely preventable. The city and its communities that recognize the causes
and processes of natural disasters and provide mitigation measures and regulations can
best protect themselves.
The key to risk-sensitive land use planning is the involvement and commitment of all
individuals and organizations accepting clearly-defined responsibilities and duties in the
implementation of this Ordinance.
Definitions (Taken in full from KMC Urban Planning and Building Ordinance, Final
Draft 2001, Sec.1.2)
For the purpose of this Ordinance the words, names and acronyms listed below and wherever
occurring in any text of this ordinance, Planning Permit, Building Permit or any other
planning or building instructions given by KMC, are explicitly defined to mean the following
(in alphabetical order):
Accessory building:
a subordinate building located on the same plot with the main
building, occupied by or devoted to an accessory use. Where an accessory building is
attached to the main building in a substantial manner, as by a wall or roof, such accessory
building shall be considered part of the main building.
Accessory use: a use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal land use or to
the main building(s) located on the same plot herewith. In no case shall such accessory use
substitute or dominate in area, extent or purpose, the principal lawful land use or main
building(s).
Alteration: any change made, or proposed to be made, to the use, size, form, structural
elements and external appearance of a building or structure.
Apartment: a dwelling unit within an apartment building.
Apartment building: a building containing two (2) or more apartments and designed or used,
with or without accessory use, for occupancy by two (2) or more households living
independently of each other.
Apartment hotel: a residential building, or part thereof, designed or arranged and used as a
hotel but differing from a hotel in that no food maybe offered and all guest rooms are rented
out for generally longer period and have facilities for self cooking by the guests.
Arcade: a continuously covered parts of a ground floor area of a building which opens onto a
road or other public way.
Attic: a habitable space between the roof and the top floor of a building with an average
room height of min. 2.4m.
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Authorized person/organization: any official or organization to whom a specific task in the
execution of this Ordinance is delegated by the KMC.
Authority: if not described otherwise, KMC.
Basement semi-: any accessible and usable part of a building of which, at least, half of its
room height is located below finished ground level.
Block: a tract of land bounded by Collector roads and/or ROW‟s of higher order.
Block sub-: a tract of land being part of a block, only bounded, and not further subdivided by
Access roads or roads of a higher order.
Building: a man-made construction, permanently fixed in or on the ground, enclosed by one
or more walls and a roof, for the housing or enclosure of people or animals, the growing or
storage of plants or the production, processing, storage or protection of any kind of movable
property; when a building is divided into separate parts by one or more un-pierced walls,
extending from the ground up, each such part shall be deemed to be a separate building.
Building main-: the building, or group of buildings, on a plot, not being any accessory
building, serving the principal and actual use of that plot.
Buildings attached: two or more buildings which are mutually connected by each sharing
one or two party walls wither in part or in full, with another building.
Building detached: two or more adjoining free standing buildings not having any mutual
connection.
Building, semi-detached: two adjoining buildings sideways attached.
Building height: the vertical distance measured from the highest level of the ROW adjoining
a building to the highest external part of its roof: in case of a sloping roof the highest part of
the roof shall be the mean height level between the eaves and ridge of such roof; provided
that, where a building is set back more than one (1) meter from the plot front boundary, the
height of such building shall be measured from the average elevation of the finished ground
level along the front wall of the building; structures on the roof of a building such as water
tanks, lift overruns, solar panels and antennas are not taken into account in determining the
highest point of a building.
Building line: generally used in closed frontage development, a line in which the façade of a
building shall be placed as prescribed on the Development Control Map and/or in a Local
Area Plan.
Building, residential: a building being either a dwelling or an apartment building that is
arranged, designed, used, and intended or built to be used for residential occupancy by one or
more households or lodgers.
Construction: the act of either erecting a new building or structure, with or without the
wholly or partly prior destruction of an existing buildings or structures in the same location,
or adding a storey to, or altering the facades and roof of a building, and constructing a
window, door, veranda, attic, porch, shed, garage, or other, similar additions to, or
modifications of the present building or structure.
Closed frontage: the sideways attached construction of facades of adjoining buildings in one
vertical plane.
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Density: the number of buildings, dwellings, households, people or the amount of
floor space per unit of land area (e.g. per hectare) as the case may be and expressed as
a numerical value.
Designated area: a united part of a use zone bounded by other use zones.
Development: the process of changing or intensifying the use of land through means of
earthworks and/or construction works in, on, or above land or water.
Development comprehensive: a project planned, designed and implemented for integrated,
mixed use development of a single tract of land or a number of contiguous plots, such as land
pooling project.
Development Control Map: the map being an appurtenant document of this Ordinance as
prescribed in Part I, Section 2?
District: one of KMC‟s five (5) urban planning areas into which Kathmandu city has been
divided.
Drainage: the natural or artificial evacuation of excess water from a tract of land.
Dwelling: one or more rooms in a building for the permanent habitation by a single family or
household.
Easement: linear tract of land for the existing or future installation and use of public utility
services, such as drains, water mains, sewers and cables, regardless of ownership of the land
and of these utility services.
Façade: the exterior wall of a building abutting a ROW.
Floor area: the sum of the gross horizontal areas of all floors, except floors entirely located
below ground level, of any building, measured from the exterior faces of the external walls or
from the centre line of common walls separating two buildings. The floor area of a building
shall exclude elevator shafts and stairwells at each floor, floor space used for mechanical
equipment -, but shall include attics, interior balconies, enclosed porches and floor area
devoted to accessory uses. However, any area constructed and used for vehicle parking or
loading of vehicles shall not be included as floor area.
Floor area ratio (FAR): the quotient of the total built or planned floor area on a plot or
parcel and the total area of that plot or panel expressed in the formula below:
Total floor area in m2
FAR =
Total plot or parcel area in m2
Front: that side of plot or wall of the main building(s) on that plot facing a ROW.
Garage, private: a building or a section of a building uniquely designed, built and used
primarily for the overnight parking of private automobiles.
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Garage, public: a building or a section of a building, uniquely designed, built and used
primarily for temporary, daytime parking of automobiles, regardless whether these are parked
for remuneration or not.
Hotel: a building designed and used as a temporary residing place for individuals with a
permanently staffed reception desk, offering meals and having at least six (6) guest rooms
without provision for cooking.
Housing: dwelling units of any type, mixture and density.
HMG: His Majesty‟s Government of Nepal?
Industry: facilities for the manufacturing, processing, production, assembly, disassembly,
recycling, repair, storage or distribution of goods.
KMC: Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the local government body responsible for governing
the city of Kathmandu.
KMC area: the area of land within boundaries prescribed by the Ministry of Local
Government and administered by KMC.
KMC Board: The executive board of the KMC Council pursuant to Section 80 of the LSG
Act.
KMC Council: The elected governing body of KMC pursuant to Section 76 of the Local
Self-Governance Act.
KMC Office: The executive office of the KMC Council pursuant to Section 248 of the Local
Self-Governance Act.
KMC Secretary: pursuant to Art. 253 of the LSGA, the Secretary of KMC, appointed by
HMG for carrying out the day-to-day functions of the KMC office.
KUPBR: the Kathmandu Urban Planning and Building Regulations, being the regulations
contained in this Ordinance.
Land Use Map: the map being an appurtnenant document of this Ordinance as prescribed in
Part 1, Section 2?
Land use: see use, landLSG Act: the Local Self-Governance Act, 1999
LSG Regulations: the Local Self-Governance Regulations, 2000
Level city-: denotes urban facilities and services:
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Serving the entire population of Kathmandu and to some extent that of Kathmandu
Valley and Nepal,
Satisfying occasional needs for a wide variety of unique or specialty goods and services,
Requiring a central location in the city,
Requiring in general large and/or prestigious establishments and plots,
Generating large volumes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the need for wider roads
and parking facilities.
Level, district: denotes urban facilities and services:

Serving a district population of 150,000 to 250,000.
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


Satisfying frequent needs for a wide variety of household goods and services,
requiring good access, and a desirably a central location in the district,
Generating relative large volumes of traffic, primarily pedestrian and motorcycles and
trucks, the latter for the supply of food commodities and other goods.
Level, local: denotes urban facilities and services:
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Serving a resident population of 2,500 a 50,000 households,
Satisfying basic, daily needs for food commodities and household services, preferably
requiring a central location with good access,
Requiring only small size establishments and plots,
Generating primarily pedestrian traffic.
Local area plan: a statutory plan, at least including a detailed land use plan and regulations,
for a part of the KMC area, either being a district, ward, city centre, conservation, industry or
land pooling area, prepared on the basis of, and complementing the provisions and
regulations of this Ordinance.
Mayor: the Mayor of KMC
Mayor, Deputy: the Deputy Mayor of KMC
Parcel: tract of land to be either subdivided into plots, or to be comprehensively developed.
Physical Planning Committee: the committee to be established as prescribed in Part 1 of this
Ordinance
Plinth: the section of the perimeter wall of a building between the ground level and the first
floor of a building located above the ground.
Plinth area: the total area covered by the ground floor of a building, including its perimeter
wall. Plinth area is also commonly referred to as “footprint”.
Plot: a surveyed and demarcated tract of land resulting from the subdivision of a parcel, duly
registered by ownership and under single title in the Cadaster and the Revenue Department of
KMC, not containing any part that is leased by the land owner to or from a third party and
developed or intended to be developed for the land use designated in the area.
Plot area: the total area, measured in a horizontal plane, within the plot boundaries.
Plot boundary, front: the boundary of a plot fronting an existing or planned access road or
any other ROW. In case of a corner plot, both plot boundaries adjoining a ROW are
considered front plot boundaries.
Plot boundary, rear: the boundary of a plot that is most distant from and most nearly parallel
to the front plot boundary.
Plot Coverage Ratio (PCR): the percentage of the area of a plot or parcel covered by all
building(s), including accessory buildings on that plot or parcel, but excluding private
garages, as expressed in the formula below.
Built-up area of a plot at ground level in m2 x 100
PCR (%)
=
Total plot or parcel area in m2
Plot depth: the mean horizontal distance between front and rear plot boundaries.
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Plot line, side-: any remaining boundary of a plot that is not a front plot boundary or a rear
plot boundary.
Plot width: the horizontal distance between the side plot boundaries, measured at right angles
to the plot depth at a point midway between the front and rear plot boundaries.
Plot, corner-: a plot situated at the intersection of two or more roads having an angle of
intersection of less than 135 degrees.
Pollution: contamination (make impure or unclean), especially by gaseous, organic or
chemical wastes that contaminate air, water or soil.
Porch: the part of a building projecting at ground level built and roofed so as to provide
cover to the entrance of such building.
Project: the planned and budgeted undertaking of the development of a tract of land or of any
kind of construction on that land.
Property: a unified piece of land in public or private ownership.
ROW (right-of-way): a land corridor designated or constructed for the use of public access,
vehicular traffic circulation and the location of public utilities, such as pathways, easements,
roads, and highways, regardless of the ownership of the land and utilities in the ROW.
Road, access-or ”Marg”: a ROW serving the pedestrian and vehicular access to one or more
plots and having a width as prescribed in this Ordinance.
Road, Collector-or “Sadak”: a ROW of greater width and capacity than an access road,
having a footpath on both sides, providing the intermediate linkage between access roads and
higher order roads and having a width as prescribed in this Ordinance.
Road, arterial-or “Path”: a ROW of greater width and capacity than a collector road that
provides an intermediate linkage between collector roads and a Ring road/Highway and
having a width as prescribed in this Ordinance.
Road, Ring/Highway: a ROW with, at least, four traffic lanes, serving intra-and inter city
traffic and having a width prescribed in this Ordinance.
Room height: the distance between the finished surface of the floor of a room and the lowest
part of the ceiling or lowest surface of exposed floor beams or, in case of a sloping ceiling,
the average height between the highest and lowest part of the ceiling or such beams.
Row housing: residential buildings sideways attached.
Setback: the minimum distance that the outside wall of any building shall be located inside
from a plot boundary; for calculating his minimum distance, the outside wall shall be
measured from the outer face of any structure, such as roof overhangs, eaves, balconies, that
is projecting most outward from this wall.
Sign: any writing (including letter, word, or numeral), pictorial presentation (including
illustration or decoration), emblem (including devices, symbol, or trademark), flag (including
banner or pennant), or any other device, figure or similar character, including its structure and
component parts, which is used or intended to be used to announce or direct attention for
advertising purposes that is visible from the outside of a building or structure and includes
subject matter attached to, painted on, or in any other manner represented on a building or
other structure or device. However, except as otherwise specified in these regulations and
subject to regulations for the location of signs with reference to roads, the following shall not
be deemed to be included within the definition of “Sign”
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a. Signs or flags of a governmental agency, including traffic or similar regulatory or legal
devices,
b. Memorial tablets or signs,
c. Signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation, and
street names and address numbers,
d. Signs within a private area that cannot be seen from a road or adjacent properties,
e. Flags or emblems of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization,
f.
Small signs displayed for the direction of public or convenience of the public, including
signs that identify rest rooms, location of public telephones, freight entrances, or the like,
with a total sign area not exceeding 2 square meter per sign,
g. Signs attached to and showing the use of a building,
h. Any temporary sign: constructed of paper, light fabric, plastic, or other light material,
with or without frames, when such signs are intended to be displayed for a short period of
time only, in no event for longer than 35 days.
Sign are: the net geometric area of a sign computed as including the entire area within one or
more parallelograms, triangles, circles, or semi-circles comprising all the display, including
boarders and solid background. One face of a double faced sign shall be considered in
determining the sign area, provided both faces are parallel and of the same size.
Storey: the spatial portion of a building located between the surface of any floor above
ground level and the surface of the floor next above it or, in case there is no floor above it,
than the space between such floor and the ceiling next above it.
Structural alterations: any change in the supporting members of a building or structure such
as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders.
Structure: anything else constructed or erected than a building which requires permanent
location on the ground, or an attachment to something having such location.
Subdivision plan: a map showing the detailed and measured division of a tract of land, either
into two or more parcels and/or plots, serving as the basic layout for a proposed single or
multiple plot development.
Use, land: the purpose for which a tract of land, and any building or structure located
thereon, is occupied and used, or is intended to be developed, occupied and used.
UDD: The Urban Development Department of KMC Office.
Utilities: the technical and logistical provisions for the supply and distribution of water,
electricity, gas, telephone, radio and TV signals, etc. and for the drainage, collection and
disposal of rain water and fluid and solid waste.
Yard, court: an uncovered space that is, apart from one or more access ways, fully enclosed
by one or more buildings.
Yard: the open-air part of a plot not occupied by buildings and structures
Zone, land use: an area designated for one or more land uses.
Zone, mixed use: an area designated for two or more land uses.
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1.7.2.2 The Physical Planning Committee (PPC)
1.
The KMC Board shall constitute a Physical Planning Committee to advise the Board on
all aspects related to the issue of Planning Permits and Building Permits, and appoint its
members. The seven (7) members of the PPC will comprise:
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the Deputy Mayor of KMC, Chairman
the KMC Secretary as representative of HMG?
the Head of the UDD, acting as secretary of the Committee, hereinafter referred to as
the Secretary
one (1) representative of the KMC Council
one (1) representative of Kathmandu‟s business community, and
two (2) professional advisors.
2.
Apart from the Deputy Mayor, the KMC Secretary and the PPC Secretary being
permanent members, all other members of the PPC shall be appointed for a term of two
years but can be re-appointed.
3.
The PPC shall meet every two weeks but at least once a month. The agenda for the
meetings shall be prepared jointly by the Chairman and Secretary and communicated to
the members, together with the minutes of the previous meeting, at least one week in
advance of each meeting. The Secretary will prepare the minutes of the meetings.
4.
Decisions shall be made by open voting and simple majority. For taking a vote on major
planning decisions a quorum of four (4) Committee members shall be present at the
meeting. When the votes ties, the Chairman‟s vote shall be decisive.
5.
In the absence of the Chairman, the Council representative shall replace and represent
him/her during and outside PPC meetings. In the absence of the Secretary, the Deputy
Head of UDD shall act in his or her place.
6.
The physical Planning Committee shall be responsible for initiating all necessary actions
for the due implementation of the provisions of this Ordinance. Its tasks include, but are
not limited to,
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Advising the Mayor on all matters related to the physical conditions and development
of the City.
Initiating, supervising and approving amendments and revisions of the Ordinance,
subject to endorsement by the Council,
Considering planning applications and issuing Planning Permits for all development
projects, except residential projects – not located in conservation areas – having an
assessed total construction value of less than five million Rupees (Rs 5,000,000).
Initiating and identifying the most appropriate city location and sites for proposed
major new developments such as government buildings, hospitals, schools, shopping
malls, new roads and bridges, power plants and other major utility plants and city
parks,
Supervising the operations, performance and staffing of KMC‟s UDD and the
selection and appointment of the Department‟s senior staff.
1.7.2.3 Amendments and Revision of the KUPBR
1.
The KUPBR shall be amended whenever deemed necessary but shall be reviewed and
revised, at least, once every five years.
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2.
Amendments and revision of the KUPBR shall be initiated by the PPC and, after
consultation of the KMC Board, it shall instruct the UDD to undertake the necessary
tasks for their preparation within a time period to be specified by the PPC.
3.
Upon completion, the PPC shall consider the draft amendments or revision of the
KUPBR and may invite for advice during its meetings any person or organization it
considers useful. After its approval in principal (principle) of the draft proposals, the
PPC shall release all relevant documents for inspection by the general public.
4.
To inform the general public about proposed amendments or revisions of KUPBR, KMC
shall make appropriate and timely announcement on its public boards, bulletins, local
newspapers and other usual media channels. The information in the announcement shall,
at least comprise:
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The location and period where the documents can be viewed and inspected
The period during which eligible persons can submit their reasoned objections in
writing, which period should not be less than four (4) weeks for any amendments and
six (6) weeks for revisions of the KUPBR.
5.
After the closing date of public inspection, the PPC shall consider all written objections
received and arrange for those alterations to be made to the draft documents as it sees fit
and justified.
6.
The PPC shall document the preparation and review process in a report, clearly stating its
reasons why objections from the general public were accepted or rejected as ground for
altering or adjusting the draft documents.
7.
Upon their completion, the PPC shall submit and present the final documents, together
with the above review report, to the Mayor for formal KMC Board approval, gazettal and
publication of the revised KUPBR or its amendments.
8.
Before approving a full revision of the KUPBR, the KMC Board may decide for a second
public viewing to allow any person or organization to raise objections to any aspect of the
revision as contained in the final documents. The procedure shall then be repeated as
described in Section 15 to 20.
1.7.2.4 Planning Districts
1.
For the purpose of giving adequate response to the provisions of the Local Self
Governance Law with regard to the effective execution of urban planning, the KMC are
shall be divided in five urban Planning District. They are named and encompass the
following ward:
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2.
City Core District, ward nos. 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30
Central City District, wards nos. 1, 5, 1, 21, 32, 33
District West, wards nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 34, 35
District North, wards nos. 2, 3, 4, 29
District East, wards nos. 13, 14, 15, 16.
In the event of an extension of the KMC boundary, the formation of new wards, or the
redistribution of existing wards, the KMC Council shall decide on the revision of the
boundaries of the Planning Districts concerned.
1.7.2.5 The District Planning Committee (DPC)
1.
For each of the Planning Districts, KMC will establish a District Planning Committee,
consisting of the Ward Chairmen of all the wards constituting the District A
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representative of KMC will attend the meetings of this committee as advisor and nonvoting advisor
2.
The principal task of the DPC is to assist KMC with the preparation of, and to formally
endorse Local Area Plans as referred to in Section 27, and to give appropriate guidance
and support to KMC for the effective implementation of these plans in manner and with
the instruments as prescribed by KMC order.
3.
Detailed instructions about the functioning and procedures to be followed for decision
making by the DPC‟s will be prescribed by the KMC Board in a special order.
1.7.2.6 Local Area Plans
1.
Local Area Plans shall be prepared for all such parts of the KMC area that require an
integrated planning approach to ensure that the aims set and agreed for the type and
extent of development for these areas can be more securely and effectively attained.
2.
A Local Area plan that is disaster risk resilient shall be prepared by KMC, at least, for the
following types of areas:
- for each of the five Districts a District Development Plan, at least containing a
land use development map at a scale of min. 1:5,000, appurtenant land use and
development regulations and a 5-year investment programme.
- for areas designated as a conservation zone on the Development Control Map
- for areas designated as a Land Pooling or Guided Land Development Project,
- for any other designated or proposed to be developed as a comprehensive land
development project.
1.7.2.7 Area Improvement Projects (AIP’s)
1.
Any group of legal persons being land and/or building owners in an area that is already
substantially developed but lacking adequate provision of technical infrastructure, and
such User Group having expressed its intent to improve these conditions with a
maximum of their own means and organization, shall be encouraged by KMC in this
initiative and, fulfilling certain requirements to be prescribed by special order, shall be
technically and/or financially supported by KMC.
2.
Annual Investment Plan (IAP) will be encouraged by KMC in terms of financial support
and implementation priority depending on the overall structural and sustainable
improvement of the area being proposed.
3.
AIP‟s will qualify for support by KMC if the basic principle of equity sharing is accepted
and adhered to. This means that the User Group shall invest in the project, at least, to the
extent of the assessed improved land value that will accrue from the AIP. Investment
would include such cost as the compensation for any private land and property to be
acquired for implementation of the project, for instance, in the case of creating a right of
way or for the necessary widening of a road. After deduction of the agreed share to be
paid by the collective owners, the remainder of the project cost will be borne by KMC.
1.7.2.8 The Planning Permit
1.
Before implementing comprehensive development projects, parcels or plots, either in
public or private ownership, shall not be subdivided or assembled without a Planning
Permit issued by KMC.
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2.
Existing buildings or structures, either in public or private ownership, comprising a total
floor area of more than 660 sq m (7,500 sq ft), shall not be redeveloped, changed of use,
enlarged, such as raised in height, or otherwise structurally modified without the issue of
a Planning Permit by KMC.
3.
For requesting KMC to issue a Planning Permit, the applicant shall submit the following
documents:
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For the subdivision or assembly of land with the intent of land development.
A complete application form
Receipt of payment of the Planning Permit fee,
Proof of his ownership of the subject land or a letter from the owner of the land
stating his agreement to surrender land to the applicant, conditional upon the issue of
a Planning Permit for the intended development.
Certificate of KMC Revenue section confirming that all land an property tax and
other local taxes due by the owner have been remitted.
A certified copy of the cadastral map showing the plots and/or parcels proposed to be
subdivided or assembled, as well as the adjoining parcels and/or plots with
description of their actual land uses.
One or more drawings, at appropriate scale within the range of 1:1000 to 1:100,
showing:
4.
The proposed land assembly and/or subdivision and the development layout with
resulting plot(s) and giving all relevant dimensions shown in meters,
5.
Height variations of land by 0.5 m contour lines and a detailed indication of the measures
proposed for draining the land and disposal of drain water.
6.
The vertical projection and the height of buildings) and structures proposed to be
constructed on the plot(s) and indicating the proposed use of (each of) the building(s) by
area of floor space in square meters.
7.
The surveyed or otherwise certified documentation of the vertical projection on the
ground and the height of all buildings and structures located on the abutting parcels and
plots.
8.
The location and width of the ROW(s), either existing, or firmly committed to be
constructed to serve access to the plot(s),
9.
The location and connection points of water mains and sewers and other standard utilities
as mains and cables, and of any easements required for their installation beyond the
boundaries of the subject plot(s),
10.
The location and capacity of septic tanks proposed to be constructed, if any, and the
method proposed to dispose of the septic tanks‟ effluent.
11.
An indicative landscape design for integrated development projects.
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A “letter of no objection”, addressed to KMC and signed by those owners of the
parcels and/or plots who can reasonably expected to be affected by the project,
confirming their agreement with the development proposed to be realized on the
subject plot(s). If one or more of the above owners do not agree and make any
objections to the proposed development that could not be resolved in plan
modification or by amicable settlement, the reasons for these objections shall be
stated in a letter for consideration by KMC prior to approval of the Building Permit.
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For structural alteration of buildings and structures, change of land use or
redevelopment of a site.
• The completed application form.
• Receipt of payment of the Planning Permit fee.
• Proof of his ownership of the subject plot(s) and/or building(s), or a letter by the
owner of the land and/or building(s) stating his agreement with the development
or the works for which the Planning Permit is requested.
• Certificate of KMC Revenue Section stating that all land and property tax and
other local taxes due by the owner have been remitted.
• A certified copy of the cadastral map showing the subject plot and all abutting
parcels and/or plots and their actual land uses,
• The (latest) Building Permit issued for the existing development
• One or more drawings, at appropriate scale within the range of 1;500 and 1;50,
showing:
- The layout of development showing location and height of all buildings and
structures on the subject plot and those on the abutting plots, all as existing at
the time the application for the Planning Permit is made.
- All changes and modifications proposed to be made to the existing land use,
buildings, structures and plot layout, and any new, additional or substituting
buildings proposed to be constructed on the plot(s),
- If applicable, any variation to the existing vehicular access to the plot(s) and
to the number of vehicles proposed to be parked on the plot(s).
• A “letter of no objection” as described in Section 34A, g above.
12.
Upon receipt of the application for a Planning Permit, KMC shall verify if the proposed
development and/or construction agree with the provisions and standards laid down in
this Ordinance and will submit the application for approval to the Physical Planning
Committee. For projects located in areas of particular concern such as cultural and
heritage sites and buildings, roads, water and sewerage and solid waste among others
advice may be sought from other agencies such as the Department of Archaeology,
Ministry of Environment, the Traffic Department. Where deemed appropriate and
necessary the applicant may be required to present a feasibility study showing among
others things how the proposed project would affect the immediate surrounding area in
terms of inducing or causing hazard risk into a disaster.
13.
A decision by KMC on the application of a Planning Permit shall be made and confirmed
in writing to the applicant within two (2) months from the date of registration of the
application. KMC may extend this period by one (1) month. When no decision is made
within three (3) months, approval is automatically granted and the Planning Permit shall
be issued accordingly.
14.
When a Planning Permit is refused, KMC shall give the reasons for its refusal in writing.
After having made the appropriate modifications to the project design, the applicant shall
be entitled to make a second request for a Planning Permit at no further cost.
15.
The Planning Permit does not entitle the applicant, or any other person through this order,
to commence or carry out any development or construction activity until a Building
Permit for the same project has been applied for, and been issued by KMC.
16.
The Planning Permit is valid for one (1) year from the date of issue and expires at the
date and for that part of the project for which a Building Permit has been issued. In case
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of particular and unforeseen circumstances and upon the owner(s) written request, KMC
may, conditionally, extend the validity of the Planning Permit by one (1) more year.
1.7.2.9 The Building Permit
1.
No building or structure, either in private or in public ownership, shall be constructed,
extended, altered or demolished, nor any construction or site works commenced, without
a Building Permit.
2.
Upon application of a Building Permit for the construction of any new building or
structure with a total amount of floor space in excess 660 sq m (7500 sq ft), such
application shall first be submitted to the Physical Planning Committee for planning
approval. No Building Permit shall be issued before this Committee has considered the
implication of the proposed building or structure for the surrounding areas and/or the city
as a whole, and, based on its findings, has approved the project.
3.
For requesting KMC to issue a Building Permit, an application shall be made by the
owner(s) of the land concerned by submitting the following documents:
-
4.
The completed application form,
Receipt of payment of the Building Permit fee,
Proof of his ownership of the subject land and/or building or a letter by the owner(s)
of the land/and or building stating his agreement with the development and/or works
for which the Building Permit is applied for,
Certificate of KMC Revenue Section stating that all land and property tax and other
local taxes due by the owner have been remitted,
A certified copy of the cadastral map showing the subject plot(s) and all abutting
parcels and/or plots, also indicating their actual uses,
The Building Permit(s) previously issued for any buildings existing on the plot(s) at
present or that existed in the past,
The Planning Permit, if applicable and issued,
A “letter of no objection” as described in Section 34 A.g.
Drawings, appropriate scale within the range of 1:500 and 1:50 and other documents
presenting:
• The layout of development, including all buildings and structures and their height
on the subject plot(s) and on the abutting plots, as existing at the time the
application for the Building Permit is made,
• Architectural and structural design and technical specifications for all new
construction works proposed and for all changes and modifications to be made to
existing buildings and structures,
• Any variation to the existing vehicular access and to the number and location of
vehicles proposed to be parked on the plot(s),
• A cost estimate of all works of the project prepared and signed by a KMC
licensed building engineer or registered building contractor
Upon receipt of the application for a Building Permit, KMC shall verify if the proposed
development and all constructions agree with the provisions and standards laid down in:
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this ordinance,
the Nepal Building Code,
any previously issued Building Permit(s)
the Planning Permit, if applicable and issued, for the development or construction for
which the Building Permit is requested.
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5.
For projects located in areas where particular development restrictions apply, before
issuing a Building Permit KMC shall seek advice from the competent agencies that have
the lawful right to impose such restrictions.
6.
A decision on the application of a Building Permit shall be made by KMC and confirmed
to the applicant in writing within two (2) months from the date of registration of the
application. KMC may extend this period by one (1) month. When no decision is made
within three (3) months from the date of application, approval is automatically granted
and the Building Permit shall be issued accordingly.
7.
When a Building Permit is refused, KMC shall give the reasons for its refusal in writing.
After having made the appropriate modifications to the project design, the applicant shall
be entitled to make a second request for a Building Permit at no further cost.
8.
The Building Permit requires the applicant to execute the approved works in such stages
as shall be written as a condition of approval in the Building Permit. No subsequent
stage shall commence before the works executed in the previous stage have been
inspected and approved by KMC.
9.
Execution of the Construction works shall commence within one (1) year from the date of
issue of a Building Permit. In case of particular and unforeseen circumstances, upon the
owner(s) written request, KMC may, conditionally, extend the validity of the Building
Permit by one (1) more year.
10.
In the event construction works are interrupted for more than 6 months, the Building
Permit issued for such works automatically expires. The works shall not be resumed
before a new Building Permit has been applied for and been issued, or the existing Permit
has been extended at the discretion of KMC.
1.7.2.10 The Completion Certificate
1.
Upon request by the applicant, KMC shall issue a Completion Certificate only after its
inspectors have inspected all works after their completion and have found these to have
been executed in full conformity with the conditions of the Building Permit.
2.
No building or structure shall be occupied or used by the owner, or by any other persons,
before a Completion Certificate for such building or structure has been issued by KMC.
3.
The owner of a building or structure will not be permitted to sell the appurtenant land or
to make any future change in the use or physical form and contents of such buildings or
structure before a Completion Certificate for the erection or any subsequent modification
of that building or structure has been issued by KMC.
1.7.2.11 Transition Rule
Land, developed and permanently used at the time of promulgation of this Ordinance, but
since then in contravention of any of the regulations of this Ordinance, shall be allowed to
continue to be used for existing and ongoing activities under the following restrictions:
a. non-compliant use of land or buildings shall not in any way be expanded, intensified or
changed into other non-compliant use,
b. existing buildings and structures shall not be changed or expanded and no works shall be
executed other than serving their upkeep and regular maintenance.
c. no new buildings or structures shall be constructed for non-compliant uses,
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d. non-compliant use(s) will become illegal and shall be terminated upon deceased of the
owner or tenant of the land or upon the change of ownership of the legal or physical
person making non-compliant use of the subject land, building or structures,
e. from the date a non-compliant use has become illegal, for whatever reason, such use shall
be terminated within maximum 6 months, upon which all those measures shall be taken
necessary to convert the land, buildings and structures to legal use.
1.7.2.12 Sanctions and Penalties
1.
The Building Permit may be revoked by KMC if there is:
-
2.
a breach of a term or condition of the Planning Permit or the Building Permit,
a contravention of the provision of this Ordinance.
a misrepresentation of facts in any of the application forms, plans or other documents
submitted by the applicant when applying for a Planning or a Building Permit,
failure to submit structural plans, design, calculations and other particulars as
requested by KMC to demonstrate full compliance with the provisions of the
Building Code.
Any person that takes, without permission of KMC any action of development or
construction that is contravening the provisions of this Ordinance or the Building Permit,
KMC may impose on such person a penalty or imprisonment, or both, not exceeding:
-
a penalty of Rs 100,000 and/or imprisonment for a term of one(1) year of for any
development or the construction of any building without a valid Planning Permit or
Building Permit,
a penalty of Rs 100,000 and/or imprisonment for a term of one (1) year for exceeding
the maximum permitted FAR, PCR, and building height.
a penalty of Rs 50, 000 and/or imprisonment for a term of six (6) months for using
land or a building for a non-permitted land use,
a penalty of Rs 100,000 and/or imprisonment for a term of one year for infringing the
Building Code,
a penalty of Rs 50,000 and/or imprisonment for a term of six (6) months for
obstructing action taken by KMC to undo or rectify any illegal development or
construction.
a penalty of Rs 50,000 and/or imprisonment for a term of six (6) months for
infringing any other provisions of this Ordinance.
3.
The owner of any building or structure that is being constructed or altered, or has been
constructed or altered without a Building Permit or in contravention of the provisions of
this Permit or this Ordinance, may be instructed by order of KMC to demolish part or the
whole of that building or structure at his/her own expense, to be commenced within 35
days. By defaulting to obey this order, KMC will have this order executed by its Public
Works Department on behalf of, and at the expense of the owner.
4.
Any building or structure that is found to be in a condition or being used for an activity
not in compliance with the Building Permit issued for that building or structure, or is in
the opinion of KMC‟s building experts unsafe for public use, may be ordered:
-
to be disconnected from public water and electricity supply or
no longer to be used or inhabited and be closed up until such date that return to the
approved use or alterations and/or repairs have been carried out to the satisfaction of
KMC, or
to be demolished if such buildings or structure is found to be in state beyond repair.
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1.7.2.13 Appeal (As outlined in the draft KUPBR, Sec. 1.14)
An appeal to an order issued by KMC regarding any sanctions imposed under Section 55, 56
and 57, shall be filed with the Appellate Committee as prescribed in Section 20 of the Town
Planning Act, 1998, within 35 days from the date of receiving such order.
1.7.3 Part 2: Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan
Note: With Reference to Chapter 5 of the RSLUP report
1.7.3.1 Expected Impact of the Land Use Plan
This Ordinance aims to realize a risk-sensitive land use plan that can provide among others:
a. Access of people to city-wide services due to decentralized front-line offices of city hall,
public markets, shopping centers, tertiary schools and hospitals, police and fire protection
offices.
b. Reduced traffic congestion in the Core Area as the new urban nodes intercept inbound
traffic from the north, south east and southwest thereby relieving traffic in the city center.
c. Sustainable use of natural resources as more open spaces forest habitats and production
areas are recovered and preserved.
d. Reduced air and water pollution as mitigation measures through land use regulation takes
effect
e. Enhancement of the overall physical and aesthetic attractiveness of the city to the
residents and visitors because of orderly defined land uses and the integration of disaster
risk management, reduction and mitigation measures resulting to personal safety and
protection of property from the risk posed by natural hazards that may occurs.
f.
Acceptance, strengthening and maintenance of KMC‟s leading role in the Kathmandu
Valley area and in the national scene and as the focal point of global attention.
g. Increased investments, from local and foreign investors as they see and follow the orderly
physical growth within Kathmandu, which would result in more job opportunities
generated.
h. Increased revenue for KMC, as more economic, social, cultural and physical growth is
induced thereby creating more opportunities to provide adequate services and facilities
for the KMC communities and its constituents.
i.
Capability and capacity to be resilient in the face of risk and events brought about by
natural hazards.
1.7.3.2 The Risk-Sensitive Land Use Map
The Risk-Sensitive Land Use Map, herein attached as Figure 2.1, is hereby formally adopted
by the City Council to guide KMC‟s growth and development over the next ten years (20102020). The same map may be reviewed and updated every three or five years) in accordance
with the provisions of the LSGA and this Ordinance.
1.7.4 Part 3: Risk-Sensitive Land Use Policy Framework
Note: With Reference to Chapter 5 of the RSLUP report
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1.7.4.1 Introduction
This Ordinance recognizes the need to chart a course of action for the sustainable growth of
KMC in pursuit of its vision as a “A tourism center based on heritage and culture with
healthy, responsible and economically active citizens living in a clean safe and disasterresilient environment.” To this end, the KMC has decided to manage and take public control
over the direction and pattern of development in the city through the Risk-Sensitive Land Use
Plan that has been adopted and approved by the City Council.
1.7.4.2 Policy Statements
That within the territorial jurisdiction of KMC, the city has the authority to prescribe and that
the citizens have the duty to follow reasonable limits and restrain on the use of land and
appurtenant structures built upon such land so that:




Protected areas are respected and preserved for the benefit of all.
Production areas are used sustainably so that the needs of the present and future
generations will continue to be adequately met;
Settlement areas are made livable and worthy of human dignity, and
Infrastructure is adequate, efficient and befitting of a modern city.
That it is the responsibility of KMC to ensure the safety and security of its citizenry, its
resources and the environment against the effects of natural hazards and, by all means, shall
prepare the necessary measures to prevent, mitigate or reduce the effects of disasters.
That in its disaster risk management program and action plans, the involvement and
commitment of all in the community -- individuals, families, neighborhood, ward, institutions
and non-government organizations-- is a must for risk reduction and mitigation, and
therefore, every effort shall be made to encourage participation and require compliance for
the fulfillment of the provisions of this Ordinance in order to prevent hazards, natural or
otherwise, from causing emergencies and ultimately disasters.
That this Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan and its accompanying zoning ordinance and
regulations on the use of land and construction of buildings are to be disseminated to all
sectors of the KMC through trainings and workshop, and to the communities and wards
through information and education campaign, and that these disaster risk reduction measures
are to be regularly monitored, evaluated, and modified as the need arises to lessen the likely
effects of emergencies.
1.7.5 Part 4: Land Subdivision And Assembly Regulations
1.7.5.1 Introduction
This part of the Ordinance contains general regulations for the subdivision of land into two or
more plots, and for the amalgamation of land of different owners into a single holding (land
pooling), both action with the intent of subsequent development of such land. The land
subdivision regulations as contained in the existing Building Bylaws have been completely
revised and updated. The need for land assembly regulations only emerged after a number of
experimental land pooling projects in Kathmandu Valley were successfully implemented.
The 3rd Amendment of 17 April 1998 of the Town Planning Act, once published in the
gazette, provides the legal framework for land assembly projects. Similarly, the Apartment
Ownership Act of 1997 deals with joint ownership of real estate and is a helpful instrument
for disallowing further subdivision and fragmentation of land and existing buildings.
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1.7.6 Part 5: Land Usubdivision and Assembly Regulations
Note: With reference to PART 5 (4): Land Subdivision And Assembly Regulations
As outlined in the draft KUPBR, Part 4.
1.7.6.1 Means and Standards of Plot Access
No land shall be subdivided or developed without each plot having access provided by a
public or private ROW of prescribed minimum standards.
No building or structure shall be constructed on any plot in such a manner and location as to
obstruct or foreclose the construction and effective use of an existing or future ROW of
required standards to provide access to existing and future plots uniquely served by this
ROW.
For reasons of vehicular access and circulation and public convenience and security, the
minimum width and maximum length to which an access road shall be constructed depends
on:



the type of land use served
the type of road: dead-end, single-way or two-way road
the number of plots or dwellings served by a single access road.
The minimum standards that shall be adhered to for ROWs serving access to residential and
non-residential plots are prescribed in Table 4.1 and 4.2 and Sections 85 to 88.
Table 1-33: Minimum width of ROWs serving access to residential plots and parcels
Type of ROW
Max. number of dwellings
served
Length of
ROW
Min. width of
ROW
Pathway
4
Max. 25 m
3.0 m
“Dead-end” road
20
Max. 50 m
4.5 m
“Dead-end” road
40
Max.100 m
6.0 m
Access road with entry and
exit
80
Max 100 m
6.0 m
Access road with entry and
exit
200
Max. 250
8.0 m
Table 1-34: Standard ROW’s for access to non-residential plots and parcels
Type of Use
Plot/Floor Area
Min. width of
ROW
Min. length of
ROW
Local (work) shops
Plot <100 sqm
Floor <50 sqm
6m
100 m
Other local level uses
Plot <500 sqm
Floor <250 sqm
8m
250 m
District level uses and gen.
industries
Plot <2500 sqm
Floor <1000 sqm
14 m
500 m
14 m
14 m
>20 m
500 m
500 m
n.a.
Manufacture industries
All other district and city level
uses
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Figure 1-58:
Min. standards for Access Roads
For the siting of building which will attract large numbers of people and vehicles, such as
schools, hospitals, cinemas, theaters, conference halls, exhibitions centres and shopping
centres, KMC may require, particularly depending on local traffic and parking conditions,
higher or additional standards of access than prescribed in Table 4.2
For the purpose of drainage, a dead-end road shall be designed and constructed so that the
road surface at the dead end is at higher level than that of the intersection with the drainage of
the area served by such road, subject to approval by KMC.
Dead-end roads with a length of more than 25m shall at the end be provided with a turning
circle with a diameter of min. 9m, or with a “hammer head” of minimum 12m wide as shown
in the Figure 4.1.
Access roads shall further meet the following design requirements:
a. at intersection with other roads, both the edges of the access road and the adjoining from
setback lines shall be played using the prescribed angle and dimension as shown in
Figure 4.2. Only the curve of the road may be rounded, instead of splayed, not the
setback line.
b. Curves in the alignment of an access road shall have a radius, measured from the inside
edge of the ROW, of not less than 6 m, while the adjoining setback line should be
splayed as a straight line over the full length of the arc as shown in Figure 4.2
Figure 1-59:
Design standards for access roads
1.7.6.2 Plot Development
No land shall be subdivided and developed:
a. in areas subject to flooding
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b. on slopes steeper than thirty (30) degrees,
c. of which surface water cannot be naturally drained to an existing drain, to the ROW
giving access to such plot, or when this water will, or can be expected to flow into
neighboring plots,
d. if the soil is unsuitable for building construction due to contamination, insufficient
bearing capacity or other pertinent reason as determined by KMC experts.








Minimum plot size. No development is permitted of plots with a size of less than 80
square meters for whatever land use, except with special permission by KMC for lowcost housing realized through a comprehensive development project.
Any plot that has been developed, with or without a Building Permit, shall not be further
subdivided and changed of ownership unless all development conditions and standards as
applicable for the original plot can also be met and maintained for each of the plots
resulting from this subdivision.
When through inheritance, or for any other reason, the ownership of a developed plot
needs to be transferred and shared by more than one owner and, as a result, any part of
the land to be owned is becoming smaller than the minimum permissible size for plot
development, such plot can be legally subdivided and shall, pursuant to the provisions of
the Apartment Ownership Act, be registered as land and building(s) held and managed as
undivided estate in multiple ownership.
Plot width. The minimum width of the front of a plot shall not be less than five (6) meter
for closed frontage development and eight (9) meter for detached buildings. KMC may
grant permission for lesser widths in comprehensive development project.
Plot depth. For small plots, within the range of 80 to 125 sq m, the depth of the plot
should not be less than 1.5 times the width of the front of such plot, while for any plot the
depth should not exceed three (3) times the front width.
No plots shall be permitted to discharge surface water or sewerage into a public sewer or
public drain without permission of KMC.
In areas for which closed frontage development exists or is prescribed, the external face
of the side wall(s) of a building to be attached to the side wall(s) of the adjoining
building(s) shall be placed on the plot side boundary and be constructed in one plane
without containing any windows or other permanent openings.
Accessory buildings, such as private garages and garden sheds of a height not exceeding
three (3) meters, shall be allowed to be constructed up to the side and rear boundaries of
the plot, provided the owner(s) of the plot(s) abutting such building(s) agree to such
building(s) and have stated their consent in writing addressed to KMC.
1.7.6.3 Boundary walls
Unless otherwise prescribed by KMC any boundary wall facing a public road shall be
constructed of brick, stone or plastered concrete and not exceed a height of 2 m. All other
boundary walls may be constructed to a height of max. 3 m of which the lower part shall be
constructed in brick, stone or plastered concrete from the ground upwards to a height of min.
0.8 m while the upper part may e made as an open fence, exclusively constructed of metal.
To maintain adequate sight distance, KMC may require for corner plots that only an open
wire fence be constructed from a height of 0.8 m above the adjoining road level.
1.7.6.4 On-site parking requirements
Unless otherwise instructed on the Development Control Map for specific areas, the uniform
minimum standard for car parking on any plot is 1 car space per 250 sq m plot area.
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Plot size:
Min. 80m2
Min. plot frontage
-detached
8.0 m
-semi-detached
6.5 m
-attached
5.0 m
Plot depth
Min. building
setbacks
Front
Front centerline
Of ROW:
From sides:
From rear:
From any building:
A= 1.0 m
B= 4.0 m
C= 1.5 m
D= 1.5 m
E=3.0 m
E=0 m
Max. building height
See development Control map and Section
100
Max. plot coverage
See Development Control Map and Section
64
Max. FAR
See Development Control Map
On-site car parking
See Section 103
Figure 1-60:
Design standards for plot development
1.7.6.5 Comprehensive development
When properly and serving multiple land owner or users, comprehensive development
projects, either initiated and developed by the private sector or the public sector, are favored
and shall be encouraged by KMC through providing as much technical, administrative and
financial support as such projects may reasonably require.
Whenever a comprehensive development project results in simultaneous development of ten
(10) or more plots, or the simultaneous construction of at least 10 dwellings, while
maintaining the prescribed minimum standards of access, parking and open space, KMC shall
encourage such a project by favorably considering an increase in the FAR, PCR, and/or
building height of maximum 30% whatever desired, provided the conditions of the area and
exiting development adjoining such project do permit so.
In projects for comprehensive residential development land should be set aside for
landscaped open space and community services, primarily benefiting the residents of such
project area, at the following rates:
Open space:
Up to 5 ha
Community uses:
5.0%
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More than 5 ha
3.5%
These community services and open space, for which land will be provided at no cost, shall
be selected and approved by the beneficiaries of the project area in consultation with KMC.
These shall comprise facilities and services such as kindergarten, primary school, temple,
pati, children playground or community centre.
For each comprehensive development project a planning study will be carried out that will
result in a development plan (on one or more maps) at a scale of not less than 1:500 showing
the road, drainage and utility networks, plot subdivision, proposed land use for each land unit,
architectural designs or guidelines and a landscaping concept. This plan, to be submitted to
KMC for approval, should be associated with a report that provides:
a. relevant planning information and development standards (i.e. density, min. plot size, plot
coverage and floor area ratios, building heights, parking standards, etc.) and design
principles for buildings and open spaces,
b. information on the cost, financing, management and staging of implementation of the
project
c. a programme and time schedule of works to be carried out by the project and those to be
carried out by public agencies, i.e. KMC, line agencies, utility boards, etc.
d. justification of any proposed deviation in the project from prevailing development
conditions and standards applicable for the project area.
No legal land transaction shall take place for the purpose of subdivision or assembly of land
and with the aim of undertaking a comprehensive development project before KMC has
issued a Planning Permit for such a project.
1.7.7 PART 5: BUILDING REGULATIONS
1.7.7.1 Introduction
Each type of construction should be in compliance with the Building Regulations and, in
principle, requires a Building Permit before any construction can be undertaken. A number
of standards in the existing Building Bylaws have been maintained while others have been
altered and new ones added. The Building Regulations do not substitute but complement the
Building Code.
1.7.7.2 General
In these Building Regulations the word building shall also mean to include any structure,
unless otherwise stated.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 40, no building shall be constructed, expanded,
structurally altered or any changes made to its façade(s) and roof without a Building Permit
or be constructed in defiance thereof.
Buildings should be designed, constructed and used in conformity with the Land Use
Regulations of this Ordinance.
Buildings shall be located, designed and constructed in conformity with the Development
Regulations of Part 3 and the Land Sub-division and Assembly Regulations of Part 4 of this
Ordinance.
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Notwithstanding the provisions of these Building Regulation, for any Listed Building or
buildings located in a Protected Monument Zone or a Conservation Area as referred to in
Section 68 to 70 additional development conditions apply as contained in the “KMC
Development Controls and Design Standards for Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings.”
1.7.7.3 National Building Code
Every building to be constructed by an individual, body or governmental agency shall be
designed and executed in accordance with the regulations and standards prescribed in the
Building Code with particular regard to structural stability, earthquake resistance and fire
safety
Pursuant to Section 5.2.1 above, for Group A and Group B buildings as defined in Article 8
of the Buildings Act, no Building Permit will be issued before the structural design
calculations and drawings have been approved by the Building Construction Arrangements
Consolidation Committee, or by the authority to which the power to grant such approval has
been delegated.
Pursuant to Section 5.2.1 above, for Group C and Group D buildings as defined in Article 8
of the Buildings Act, no Building Permit will be issued unless the applicant has demonstrated
to KMC that the structural design of the building(s) proposed to be constructed meets the
standards and requirements of the Building Code.
Pursuant to Section 5.2.1 above, structures such temples, chimneys, water towers, viewing
and clock towers, bridges and pedestrian overpasses shall be designed in conformity with the
provisions of the Building Code, or, if no adequate standards exist, in conformity with
international standards regarding earthquake resistance and fire safety.
1.7.7.4 Suitability and land for Construction
Development shall be undertaken on land that has been filled with any material that contains
organic (fecal matter, animal or vegetable) matter unless such substance has been removed
and the plot or site cleared completely, or the whole ground surface has been rendered
innocuous and covered with a layer of earth or any other suitable material which is at least
thirty (30) centimeters thick.
1.7.7.5 Foundations
Buildings to be constructed on land that has been filled in the past, with whatever material,
shall have their foundations placed at or below the level of the original, undisturbed soil.
The foundations of any building shall not extend beyond the boundary lines of the building
site except in the case of the foundation of a party wall which is being built with the mutual
consent of the owners of the sites on which such party wall stands.
Every building shall be supported by foundations that safety sustain and transmit to the
ground to combined dead load and imposed load of the building in such a manner so as not to
cause any settlement or other movement which may impair the stability of, or cause damage
to the whole or any part of the building or to any adjoining building or structure.
If the ground adjacent to any proposed building exerts pressure upon or causes the application
of an undue load to any part of the building, that building or part thereof shall be so
constructed as to be capable of safety sustaining and transmitting the pressure or load without
exceeding the appropriate limitations of permissible stresses.
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Where appropriate and necessary, the applicant must provide a structural analysis of the
building and the result of geotechnical studies done or required to be done.
1.7.7.6 Damp proofing
To protect any building from absorbing moist from the soil, all walls rising from the
foundation shall be provided with a damp proof layer of polythene or tarfelt, bitumen panting
or any other protective treatment of approved quality and application. This damp proof layer
shall be placed at a height between the finished ground level of the site and the lowest surface
of the ground level floor structure.
1.7.7.7 Drainage
Paved areas of a plot or parcel and paved courtyards should be graded so as to drain surface
water towards the nearest ROW. To ensure natural drainage at all times, hard paving of these
areas should be constructed at a level of minimum 15 cm above the level of the centre line of
that ROW
Every building shall be provided with adequate drainage facilities to drain off and convey the
rain water from the roof to a street drain or other approved outlet without causing dampness
or damage to the walls or foundation of the building or those of adjacent buildings. In no
case water shall be permitted to drop directly from the roof, or from any other part of the
building, on any area other than the plot on which this building stands.
No rain water from any plot shall be discharged into the public sewerage system without
permission from the complete sewerage authority.
The finished floor level of the ground floor of any main building should be elevated a
minimum of 30 cm above the highest point of the finished ground level along the outside
perimeter wall of such building, or above the centerline of ROW adjoining the plot at the
point of access to the plot, whichever of the two measurements requires the higher floor level.
1.7.7.8 Water supply
Every building shall be provided with a piped water distribution system based on public
supply of water. The connection of any building to the public water supply system shall,
upon request and approval, be exclusively made by the competent water authority.
In the event that a building cannot be connected to the public water supply system or its
connection is delayed, the sustained supply of water may be secured from a private source at
standards to be approved by the competent water authority as a condition of issue of a
Building Permit.
No any well for the collection of ground water shall be dug or drilled without permission
from the competent water authority. No well used for the supply of drinking water shall be
closer than fifteen (15) meter from a latrine, septic tank, soak pit, refuse dump or from any
other place that may cause pollution of the drinking water.
Wells used for the supply of drinking water should be constructed and maintained in such a
manner that the well water is not polluted by the inflow of surface water or any other
potential pollutant.
Every building shall be provided with water shortage tanks and pumps of such capacity as
prescribed by the competent water authority.
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1.7.7.9 Sanitary Provisions
Every dwelling shall have at least one water closet. Buildings for public assembly shall be
provided with toilets and wash basins at a ratio of one each for men and women for every
25 seats in cinema‟s, theatres and auditoriums,
50 seats in restaurants, cafes and clubs,
200 sq m or part thereof in offices.
All waste water shall be discharged into the existing public sewerage system. The connection
of any waste water outlet to the public sewer shall, upon request and approval, be undertaken
exclusively by the competent sewerage authority.
Where no public sewerage system exists, or in other cases where the competent authority is
of the opinion that the outlets cannot be connected to the public sewerage system. Sewage
shall be disposed of through a septic tank and household water through a soakpit.
Septic tanks and other on-site waste water disposal structures shall be designed in accordance
with standards as laid down by the competent sewerage authority.
1.7.7.10 Waste Disposal
Waste generated within any building or on any plot or parcel shall be collected and disposed
off in a manner as prescribed by KMC‟s Solid Waste Department.
1.7.7.11 Building Material
For the construction of buildings only those materials shall be used that meet the norms and
standards as laid down by the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology.
1.7.7.12 Size and Height of Rooms
The minimum area and height of rooms and other enclosed spaces for human occupation or
use shall not be less than the dimension shown in Table 5.1.
Table 1-35:
Type of room
The Minimum Height, Area and Dimensions of Rooms.
Min. area in sqm
Basement
Garage
Min. height in m
Other min. dimension
2.1
12.5
2.1
Depth/width: 5x2.5m
Store room per dwelling
2.0
2.1
Bathroom
1.3
2.1
Toilet
1.1
2.1
Bathroom + toilet
2.6
2.1
Kitchen (incl. storage)
6.0
2.4
Min. width: 1.8m
Kitchen + dining
7.5
2.4
Min. width: 2.1m
Living room
7.5
2.6
Min. width: 2.4 m
7.0
2.4
Min. width: 1.8m
Dwellings
nd
2 rooms, e.g. bedroom
Attic, average height
Other uses
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Type of room
Min. area in sqm
Min. height in m
Offices
2.7
School class rooms
2.7
Industrial buildings and
warehouses
3.5
Other min. dimension
With regard to the size and height of rooms, KMC may grant permission to deviate from the
standards prescribed in Section 139 for the renovation of Ancient Monuments and Protected
Buildings, provided light and ventilation standards are adequately met.
1.7.7.13 Light and Ventilation
No any basement shall be designed, constructed and used as a dwelling.
Every room in a building, except sore rooms, shall be provided with natural light and
ventilation by means of windows, doors or any other approved openings that shall face and
open upon uninterrupted air space.
To secure adequate access of day light, the maximum distance of a window or glass paneled
door to the opposite wall and to any side wall of a room should not be more than 7.5m and
3.0m respectively. The maximum depth of a such room shall include the depth of a covered
balcony, veranda or porch as shown in Fig. 5.1 below.
The total area of glass or other translucent material for the provision of day light to any room,
either in a dwelling, office, shop, industrial building and any other room used predominantly
during day time, shall not be less than 15 percent of the net floor area of such room.
For the purpose of ventilation, in any room – except kitchens, toilets and bathrooms – the
total area of openings to external air provided by windows, doors and vents shall not be less
than 3 percent of the volume of such room expressed in cubic meter and the resulting valued
expressed in square meter, with the exception of industrial buildings of which this ventilation
ratio should not be less than 5 percent.
The minimum natural ventilation area provided by openings to external air for a toilet and/or
bedroom shall not be less than 0.3 square meter and for kitchen 0.5 square meter.
Figure 1-61:
Dimensional standards for provision of day light in a room
Toilets and bathrooms of which windows do not open out to external open space may open
out to a ventilation shaft of such internal dimensions as to permit adequate air flow. The
appropriate dimensions shall be calculated, fully taking into account such factors as the
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height of the building, the number of toilets and bathrooms served by the shaft and the
number and capacity of exhaust fans to be installed, if any.
1.7.7.14 Staircases and Balustrades
The minimum width of stairs and the minimum dimensions of treads and risers of stairs shall
be as prescribed in Table 5.2. In case of curved or circular stairs the width of the treads
measuring at the middle shall not less than the widths specified in Table 5.2. Riser height and
tread width shall be constant in any flight of stairs from story to storey. The minimum
headroom of any stair, measured from the front edge of the risers, shall not be less than two
meters and ten centimeters (2.1m).
Every staircase, staircase landing, balcony, veranda and any other place overlooking an
internal or external void below shall be protected by a handrail, balustrade or parapet with a
height of not less than 0.9 m and shall be suitable design and safe construction.
Table 1-36: Minimum dimension of stairs in centimeter
Type
Width of stair
Riser
Tread
Internal stairs serving one upper floor only
75
19
22
Stairs in buildings used by general public
105
17
22
All other stairs, internal and external
90
17
22
1.7.7.15 Electrical Installation and Plumbing Work
All buildings shall be provide with electricity to be exclusively supplied by the competent
electricity authority. In particular circumstances this authority may grant approval, upon
certain conditions, the supply of electricity from other sources
No building or premises shall be connected to the public electricity network other than by the
competent electricity authority. Electricity connection to any building shall only be made and
maintained by this authority when the owner of such building is in possession of a valid
Completion Certificate for that building.
All electrical and plumbing work in any building or premises shall be carried out by
competent technicians and these works shall conform to such standards and specifications as
the competent authorities may require.
1.7.7.16 Fire and Lighting Safety
Every building shall conform to the safety requirements applicable to the area or type of
building as specified by KMC or the Chief Officer of the KMC Fire Brigade with a view to
providing a greater measure of safety to the inhabitants of such building and/or its adjoining
building(s)
All buildings of more than three storeys, public assembly buildings, factories, warehouses
and workshops with more than 400 sq m of floor area conform to additional fire and lighting
safety requirements, such
With regard to earthquake safety, KMC and other public agencies may impose specific
conditions and designs standards for the installation on buildings and structures of water
tanks, solar panels, antennas, billboards and similar provisions.
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1.7.7.17 Public Safety and Limiting Nuisance during Construction
The entire construction site, including foundation excavation and temporary retaining works,
shall be separated from any adjoining road or property by a suitable fence or enclosure as to
be approved by KMC.
The owner of the land on which a building is being constructed or modified shall at all times,
during and after construction, and at his/her own expense, take all necessary measures to
prevent any damage to any adjoining building or property.
1.7.7.18 Unsafe Buildings
KMC may direct the owner of any building that may constitute a danger to its occupants or to
public safety to repair, demolish or deal with the building otherwise to remove such danger.
1.7.8 Legal and Institutional Arrangements
For the Review, Approval and Implementation of a Kathmandu Risk-Sensitive Land Use
Plan, Zoning and Building Bylaws
1.7.8.1 Introduction
This section discusses possible activities and required legal steps to lead KMC towards
adopting a Comprehensive Risk-Sensitive Land Use Plan, as well as the Zoning and Building
Ordinance that will implement it. Part of the activities overlap with tasks and activities
indicated in Section 6 of the main report (Conclusions and Future Work).
1.7.8.2 Adoption, Implementation, Enforcement
For the preliminary RSLUP to be useful at this point, KMC needs to endorse it and take the
appropriate steps for its adoption and implementation. While refinements, updates and
additional studies are warranted as mentioned in the core of the report (refer to Section 6),
KMC can initiate actions that will seek endorsement from GoN through the various agencies
(i.e. KVTDC, MOLD, MOHA and MPPW) and continue with its advocacy (e.g. IEC) for
acceptance, support and implementation with stakeholders. While various programs, projects
and activities are implemented by different agencies, the role of KMC, MOHA and MPPW in
the project development and implementation should be explicitly clarified along with the role
of donors. The latter is necessary so that KMC and the higher authorities/ministries within the
GoN establish a clearer role and function, thereby enhancing synergy and accountability in
the succeeding planning and project implementation.
The KMC, KVTDC and various Ministry agencies, and other relevant groups can review and
discuss internally the current provisions of the plan, future refinements, proposals and
recommended strategies provided in this RSLUP. An inter-institutional Steering Committee
may be formed to structure such a review and evaluation, with technical support and
membership from the PWC. The Steering Committee can also review and recommend on the
proposed future work and liaise with various development partners and other stakeholders,
under the premise of participation and collective contribution.
A validation of the RSLUP with national agencies should be made to ensure consistency with
national developmental and environmental strategies and regulations. This shall include
consultations and workshops. The output of this activity shall be the identification and
development of integrated policies (existing and proposed) that shall be consistent with
national and valley-wide development goals and with a physical framework supportive of the
sustainable development in KMC and the Kathmandu Valley.
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Together with the development of comprehensive plans and supporting development policies
and frameworks, related regulation, ordinances and by-laws in conformity with national laws,
regulation and practices shall similarly be prepared. This necessarily includes the
development of inter-institutional coordination procedures and protocols. These procedures
and protocols for example may include the following: data management and information
system, protocols for preparation of resource maps for hazard assessment and risk
assessment, monitoring and evaluation among others.
Once the plans, programs, policies and supporting implementation strategies are developed, a
legal adoption of the plan within KMC (or possibly within the Valley) and by the relevant
national agencies should be included. Operationalization of the plan within KMC shall
include trainings and competency building.
The results of these activities can serve as a basis for establishing a risk sensitive physical
framework planning or land use planning model for the country. This shall allow for a
possible replication in other cities, municipalities, wards VDCs of Nepal.
1.8
Conclusion and Future Works
The RSLUP represents a sensible and rational framework for KMC‟s sustainable and
disaster-resilient development. It is based on solid planning parameters which took a
significant effort to collect, analyze and integrate. The Sectoral Profile assembles the
relevant planning data in a structured document that can serve as a useful reference to
planners and policy-makers. The hazard, vulnerability and risk information are fully
integrated in the RSLUP, serving as driving parameters in building the vision, strategies,
programs, project and activities contained therein. Moving forward with the adoption,
implementation and enforcement of the RSLUP will undoubtedly curb the risk to Kathmandu
and build the discipline in development decisions and approaches that has been lacking to
date. It is a benchmark document that hopes to fill an important gap in directing and
controlling sensible development within Kathmandu.
It must be emphasized that this current RSLUP should be treated as a working document.
Some underlying data needs to be qualified, completed and refined. Its biggest limitation is
that it is limited geographically to Kathmandu City. Kathmandu City is physically, socially,
politically and economically fully enclosed within the Kathmandu Valley. The link between
Kathmandu City and Kathmandu Valley are vital in terms of its demographics, economy,
living and livelihood conditions. The RSLUP for Kathmandu City leads to the realization
that proposed strategies and approaches for future development are dependent on looking
beyond the boundaries of Kathmandu City proper. Key elements such as transport and
housing require a Valley-wide analysis in order to be understood, assessed and incorporated
adequately. Further, the hazards and their consequences do not stop at the Kathmandu
boundary, and thus approaches for disaster risk reduction and for effective emergency
management must take a Valley-wide perspective.
Thus, the comprehensiveness and
completeness of a risk-sensitive land use plan is only possible in the context of the entire
Valley. Emergency management approaches must be framed in the context of the Valley in
order to organize essential emergency management elements such as fire fighting, search and
rescue, evacuation, shelter, water, health, sanitation, etc. At the same time, the efforts to
extend the RSLUP to the Kathmandu Valley will lend themselves to improving and
completing the current Kathmandu City RSLUP.
In view of the above, the scope of future work can be structured in the following tasks:
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Task 1: Adoption, Implementation and Enforcement of Kathmandu City RSLUP
Legal and Institutional Framework - For this RSLUP to be useful at this point, KMC
needs to endorse and formally introduce it to the relevant agencies of the government for
adoption and implementation. This action does not need to wait for the RSLUP to be fully
refined. Engaging into the process of adoption, implementation and enforcement is crucial as
it would constitute the mechanism to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks, which
are currently weak in certain governance areas. Much could be learned and significant
progress can be made by looking at these critical components in the immediate terms. KMC
can initiate actions that will seek endorsement from GoN through the various agencies (i.e.
KVTDC, MOLD, MOHA and MPPW). This task can be structured around a special intergovernmental committee that involved relevant agencies with support from the PWC. While
various programs, projects and activities are implemented by different agencies, the role of
KMC, KVTDC, MOHA and MOPPW in the project development, implementation and
enforcement would be explicitly clarified along with the roles of donors and development
partners.
Advocacy Campaign – KMC, with the support of the national agencies and other relevant
stakeholders, should continue its advocacy for acceptance, support to and implementation of
the strategies and provisions of the RSLUP. Unless the value of the RSLUP is collectively
discussed, understood and accepted, its implementation will be difficult. The advocacy
campaign should be based on a participatory approach where the interests of the relevant
stakeholders can be merged into a consensus and ownership is adequately shared.
Capacity Building – Training of professionals, including planners, engineers, architects,
developers and others should be carried out to build the skilled resources for ownership and
competent implementation of the RSLUP, and for future refinements and updates.
Development of Performance Indicators – To benchmark current status and measure
performance in implementation of the RSLUP, performance indicators should be developed
and pilot tested in KMC.
Work Programming and Financing for Priority PPAs – This includes the priority projects
identified by the Stakeholder‟s in the validation workshops.
The priority PPAs suggested for implementation within the next five years, were following:




Protected Areas
- An inventory of public lands should be prepared. Available areas should be
identified and planned for the use & benefit of majority, as well as, for emergency
relief;
- A Vision and plan for the City River Corridor (2050) should be prepared;
- Detailed planning for restoration, preservation and rehabilitation of heritage sites.
Production areas
- A disaster management plan;
- An urban renewal program;
- A Social and environmental impact assessment of industrial areas;
Infrastructural areas
- Common PPAs for public and private schools and SPED;
- A Safe Hospitals program;
- Vulnerability assessment and retrofitting of buildings with other safety measures for
public assembly areas.
Transport and infrastructure areas
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
Vulnerability assessment of critical infrastructures and implement program to
mitigate risk.
Economic Infrastructure
- Listing of existing markets;
- Rehabilitation and modernization of Public markets.
Task 2: Valley-Wide Data Collection and Completion of the Kathmandu City RSLUP
This task will involve four core activities:
Extension and Synthesis of the Sectoral Profile to the entire Kathmandu Valley - Data
that need to be collected include geography, land area, topography, geology, climate,
demography, distribution and density of population, household characteristics, migration,
special needs, education, health, nutrition, family planning, and others. It also includes land
use characteristics (existing and trends), land use practices and tools, urban housing
development, heritage conservation, heritage and cultural site, as well as data on
infrastructure, transport, traffic, utilities, water, drainage, and critical facilities. Further,
information on environmental parameters such as waste management and pollution, and
administrative management of land and governance structures, would be needed.
Collection and Updating of Resource Maps. These include maps representing geologic
hazards, climate and metrological hazards, soil and geotechnical, natural drainage, elevation,
and other. The collection and possible update of these maps at the Valley level should
provide a strong basis for the identification of protected areas, areas of high risk, areas
suitable for post-event shelter, areas fit for building structures, and gross carrying capacity for
development.
Collection of On-Going and Planned Development Activities. This activity will collect
and analyze the implications of the current and planned development projects on the RSLUP.
It shall include documents reviews to land use and development. These can be undertaken by
various national or international agencies as well as the private sector. Such data will help
complete the RSLUP.
Completion of Kathmandu City RSLUP. The data collected in the three activities above
will be segregated into a subset that is relevant to the RSLUP and will be analyzed to
complete and refine the current RSLUP into a comprehensive one. This plan can serve as a
basis for other cities within the Valley to develop their own RSLUP.
Task 3: Valley-wide Multi-Hazard Analysis and Emergency Management
Multi-Hazards Extension: - The elements of hazards, vulnerability and risks, as well as
elements of emergency response and management, should be reviewed in the context of the
entire Valley. Further studies must be undertaken to improve resolution of the earthquake
hazard (e.g., through microzonation), update building inventories, and bring the risk
assessment of the Kathmandu Valley up to date. Other hazards such as floods, landslides, and
the effects of climate change should be evaluated and integrated.
Emergency Management Considerations - As a support to emergency management, this
RSLUP only indicates possible evacuation routes and open areas. Their suitability and
availability must be ascertained by observations on the ground and further developed to cover
the entire Valley. Other elements related to emergency management such as fire fighting,
shelter, critical facilities will also need to be addressed.
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Task 4. Valley-Wide Risk Sensitive Transport Analysis
The future development of an RSLUP for KMC and the Kathmandu Valley should be
integrated with the development of an efficient and similarly risk-sensitive public
transportation system. Since the JICA study conducted in 1993, no other systematic study on
vehicular traffic in the Valley has been carried out. However, ground realities have changed
significantly since 1991, as many dramatic changes in urban transportation have taken place
within the last decade. It is therefore recommended that a strategic public transportation plan
be developed for the Valley that will provide a roadmap in the development of an efficient
public transportation system. Such a study will constitute the backbone of a Valley-wide
RSLUP. Various studies and activities will need to be undertaken to formulate a risksensitive transport master plan (RSTMP).
The initial activities would include a review of existing studies, compiling data and
preliminary field investigations to assess gaps in information to provide a situational analysis.
The conduct of land use and inventory surveys shall complete the information on the
character, condition, and capacity, importance of the elements of the road network and the
needed information for understanding the interaction between land use and transport system.
This shall include the inclusion of the hazard and risk information into the traffic scenarios to
be developed later.
Detailed Traffic Surveys (e.g. home interview surveys, roadside OD surveys, traffic counts,
public transportation surveys) for calibrating existing or proposed traffic demand and
capacity models.
Consultation Workshops and stakeholder meetings shall be held to validate the information
and traffic scenarios generated and identify, understand the implications of the outputs
generated.
Development of Strategies for an integrated transport and land use plan will ensure that
transport systems are sustainable for the Valley in the future.
The latter activities shall include the formulation and evaluation of the valley wide risk
sensitive transport master plan.
Investment programming of road development projects and the preparation of feasibility
studies shall complete the RSTMP. This activity shall identify priority road projects for
feasibility studies and determine their sources of funding.
Task 5. Special Studies
Various special studies will need to be undertaken to confirm some key considerations of the
RSLUP. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
To address the housing shortage, especially for families with lower incomes, it is suggested
that the government pursue the recommendations for multi-storey housing for KMC. Given
the limited amount of areas for residential development expansion in KMC, the RSLUP
suggests pursuing socialized housing. Possible locations and arrangements for these housing
sites should be reflected in the RSLUP.
On-going river development plans (e.g. Dobikhola, Bishnumati, Bagmati) should be reviewed
and incorporated as they provide for visual corridors as well as vital links to the network of
parks and open spaces in KMC. These river areas can serve as possible evacuation sites or
routes during emergencies.
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Historical and Cultural Heritage Preservation. Initially this study will focus on the “core”
area to determine the constraints and parameters of the historical and cultural heritage in
order to refine the RSLUP.
There is a need to review and refine building codes and by-laws in order that urban forms and
structures are fully supportive of increased safety. Local area plans or master plans should
follow zoning and land use policies, and future development should be guided by these plans
and ordinances. Implementation and enforcement are weak governance functions in Nepal. A
full effort to develop the structures and capacity for enforcement should be undertaken.
Without enforcement, the plan will just remain a document that sits on the shelves and makes
no impact.
Task 6. Development of the Kathmandu Valley Risk-Sensitive Planning Framework
Plan (RSPFP)
The development of the Kathmandu Valley-Risk Sensitive Physical Framework Plan shall
follow a similar process as the risk-sensitive land use planning conducted in Kathmandu City.
However, the difference is that the basic elements of planning analysis shall be the
municipalities and VDCs of the Valley. It shall provide for the synchronization and
harmonization of development programs and projects proposed from within municipalities up
to the higher level agencies, and shall guide the overall physical development and land use
planning of the municipalities and VDCs in Kathmandu Valley. It shall reinforce the current
KVTDC land use plan and zoning by making the land uses risk sensitive to inherent hazards
such as earthquakes, floods and other emerging challenges like climate change. The RSPFP
shall integrate the outputs of the proposed RSTMP, along with other spatial plans from
various sectors such as production, infrastructure, and environment in a single physical
framework. Towards the end of the planning process, the experiences learned, the framework
developed and methodologies used shall be documented and guidelines shall be prepared for
planning the development and land use plans for municipalities, as well as the development
and physical framework for the Valley. These guidelines shall supplement existing planning
process in the Valley and may be used for the next cycle of planning.
The proposed sequencing for the six tasks above is presented in Table 8. A three to five-year
project is proposed. However, the proposed work can also be undertaken in phases, with task
1 taking priority, followed by the completion of the Kathmandu-City RSLUP and its
transformation into a Comprehensive RSLUP.
It has to be emphasized that the mainstreaming process should continue towards further
refining and updating this land use plan up until the implementation stages. Hence, other
stages of planning such as local financial planning, project programming and budgeting,
monitoring and evaluation programs need to be included in succeeding planning activities.
Concluding Statements
The decision to manage the city according to the mandates of the LSGA provides local
governments such as KMC the authority to take public control over the direction and pattern
of development in their territories. Through a rigorous risk-sensitive planning process, the
local governments such as KMC can be proactive in prescribing the use of land, with the
guidance and support of higher government offices to achieve the following results:


Hazards such as earthquakes, floods and others are accounted for and their impacts
reduced with time;
Settlement areas are made livable and safe;
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



Communities and institutions are prepared for disasters as they understand what they
should do before, during and after a disaster;
Protected areas are respected and preserved for the benefit of all;
Infrastructure support is adequately and efficiently provided to help a modern city
become a model in the management of planned change; and
Production areas are used sustainably so that the needs of the present and future
generations will continue to be adequately met.
Performance indicators of accomplishments in DRM by KMC and other national agencies
responsible for land use planning, urban development and DRM should be used to benchmark
the current situation and measure future progress. While being a first step, the framework for
mainstreaming introduced in this RSLUP could similarly be used to guide development and
allocation of land. The replication of the approach towards the Kathmandu Valley can
provide lessons in managing risks common to cities and municipalities arising from natural
hazards and from climate change-related effects in Nepal and beyond.
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Figure 1-62:
1.9
Suggested Tasks and Timeline for Future Work
SOURCES
City Diagnostic Report for City Development Strategy, A World Bank Report, KMC, Nepal,
2001
Interviews conducted with the responsible officials and designated authorities by Dr.
Marqueza Reyes and Marino Deocariza)
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
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1.) Surendra Rajkarnikar ( Section Engineer of the Urban Development Department, KMC)
2.) Indra Man Suwal (Insert Official Positions and Offices connected with
3) Bijaya Subedi ,Section Officer of the Ministry of Local Development (MOLD)
4,) DEPARTMENT OF ROADS (MoPPW ) By Dr, Noriel Tiglao
Director General Tulasi Sitaula, Senior Divisional Engineer Bal Ram Mishra, Roads and
Traffic Unit, Sunip Poudyal, Senior Div. Engineer, Saroj Kumari Pradhan, Unit Chief
Project Working Committee (PWC) Members
1.10
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Asian Development Bank. Kathmandu Utility Profile.
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Capacity Development Program in Metro Manila, Philippines. Web reference:
http://www.emi-megacities.org/?page=resources.
Fernandez, J., The School Earthquake Safety Program (SESP). NSET. [Online]. Available at:
http://emi.pdc.org/soundpractices/Kathmandu/SP1-KMC-School-Safety-Program.pdf
Kathmandu Metropolitan City. [Online]. Available at: www.kathmandu.gov.np
Kathmandu Metropolitan City at a glance. [Online].
Available at:
www.wako.ac.jp/~bambang/jica-disaster/Oct20/KathmanduMetropolitanCity.doc
Kitakyusu Initiative for Clean Environment. Kathmandu. [Online]. Available at:
http://kitakyushu.iges.or.jp/cities/cities/kathmandu.html
Macroeconomic
Situation
(2007/08
Nepal
Rastra
Bank).
[Online].
http://www.nrb.org.np/ofg/recent_macroeconomic/Recent_Macroeconomic_Situation_(E
nglish)--200708_Text%20_(%20_Based%20on%20first%20eleven%20Month%20Data%20of%20200
6-07).pdf
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Archeology. 2007.
Integrated Management Plan for the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site Draft
[Online]. Available at: www.doa.gov.np
Ministry of Home Affairs. (Online). Available at: www.moha.gov.np
Ministry of Local Development. Kathmandu Municipality. [Online]. Available at:
http://www.mld.gov.np/municipalities/kathmandu.htm
National Planning Commission. Nepal Three-year Interim Plan 2007-2010; 2010-2013
[Online]. Available at: www.npc.gov.np
Nepal Police. (Online). Available at: www.nepalpolice.gov.np
Nepal: Preparing the Kathmandu Valley Water Distribution, Sewerage, and Urban
Development
Project.
2006.
[Online].
Available
at:
http://www.adb.org/Documents/TARs/NEP/34304-NEP-TAR.pdf
Noise Pollution High in Kathmandu. [Online]. The Sunday Post, March 16, 2003, Available
at: http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishweekly/sundaypost/2003/mar/mar16
Pradhan P.M., Solid Waste Management Crisis in Kathmandu Valley. (Online). Available at:
http://archive.oneworld.net/article/view/93380
Public-Private Partnership Water Supply and Waste Water Treatment in Kathmandu
Metropolitan
City.
(Online)
Available
at:
http://kitakyushu.iges.or.jp/docs/sp/water/2%20Kathmandu.pdf
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Shakya, Purusotam. 2003. Air pollution in Kathmandu Valley. [Online]. Available at:
http://www.unescap.org/esd/environment/kitakyushu/urban_air/Kathmandu%20Final.pd
Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilization. Diagnostic Report On State Of Solid
Waste Management In Municipalities Of Nepal. 2004. [Online]. Available at:
http://www.mld.gov.np/swm/relatingdata.htm
The
School
Earthquake
Safety
Program.
[Online].
Available
at:
http://emi.pdc.org/soundpractices/Kathmandu/SP1-KMC-School-Safety-Program.pdf
The Preparation of Flood Risk and Vulnerability Map of the Kathmandu Valley, Government
of Nepal, Ministry of Water Resources, Department of Water Induced Disaster
Prevention, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal
Weise, Kai. 2007. Series on the Management and Conservation of World Heritage Sites
Workshop on World Heritage Management Over Time- maintaining Values and
Significance, April 15-20
2007, Hiroshima, Japan. [Online]. Available at:
www.unitar.org
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ANNEXES
Annex I.
S. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
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15
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List of Participants of Workshop 1
Name
Dr. B.R.Gautam
Narendra Man
Ramesh Guragain
Kanhaiya Kayasta
Amod Dixit
Rabin Man Shrestha
Ganesh Kumar Jimee
Sarada Dangol
Reshma Shrestha
Hari D.Shrestha
Binod Man Shrestha
Dr.Uttar Regmi
Er. Deepak Shrestha
G.P.Gorkhali
Shankha Narayan Shrestha
Naresh Giri
Ichha Parajuli
Shanta Ram Pokharel
Binod Singh
Ajaya Lal
Reshmi Raj Pandey
Rujju P Pradhanaga
Narendra Raj Shrestha
Lina Shrestha
P S Joshi
Dr.Niroj Pandey
Hikmat Singh Kayastha
Bir Bhdr Khadka
Devendra Dangol
Bahadur Tamang
Krishna Bhola Maharjan
Gyanendra
Ram Kumar Dhakal
Dev Ratna Dangol
Bhagawan
Phatta Bhdr.Gurung
Samjhana Sharma
Chandralekha Kayastha
Bhairab Bogati
Hari Kunwar
Narayan Bhattarai
Suraj Shakya
Ram Govinda Shrestha
Designation
Department Chief
Engineer
Director
Structural Engineer
E. Director
Division Chief
Program Manager
Jr. Engineer
Ass. Professor
S. Camera man
Chief disaster management
SDE
DDG
Project Officer
Photographer
Department chief
US
Ass. Professor
Joint Secretary
Finance department
CPC
Technical
HPM
Registration
Jr. Engineer
Engineer
Division head
SO
Engineer
Division Chief
Engineer
Jr. Engineer
Engineer
Architect
Urban Planner
Senior Officer
Division Chief
S. Architect
Architect
Office
KMC
KMC
NSET
ASN Engineer, USA
KMC
NSET
KMC
KMC
IOE
H.K. (NTV)
KMC
DUDBC
DUDBC
KMC
UNDP
NSET
KMC
MOLD
IOE
MOLD
KMC
KMC
KMC
UN Habitat
NEC
KMC
KMC
KMC
CMC
LSMC
KMC
KMC
KMC
NSET
SONA
KMC
KMC
KMC
KMC
BMC
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Name
Nirmal Bhattarai
Bhubaneswari Parajuli
Sushil Chapagain
Bir Bahadur Karki
Chandra Man
Kamal Babu Shrestha
Sanat Kumar Thapa
Ramhari Phuyal
Chandra K Kawan
Umesh Sthapit
Ram Thapa
Subha Risal
Dimple Shrestha
Ishwor Raj Dhakal
Niranjan Poudel
Shyam Prasad Mainali
Shankhar Ram Kadel
Karuna Ratna Shakya
Indra Suwal
Rudra Gautam
Ankeshwor Sharma
Archana Shrestha
Nathuram Dhungel
Krishna Maharjan
Roshan Shrestha
Sourab Rana
Shiva Bhr Pradhananga
Gambhirlal Shrestha
Surya Poudel
Manoj Singh Suwal
Vidhya Neupane
Dhanapati Sapkota
Rabindra Poudel
Swarup Koney
Krishna Raj Kaphle
Govinda Bhdr.Karki
Satya Narayan Sah
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
Designation
Jr. Engineer
Soc. Gender. Env. Mgnt. Sp.
Junior engineer
Engineer
Engineer
Engineer
Lecturer
Social Worker
Engineer
Junior engineer
Junior engineer
Reporter
CPCC Chief
SDE
Chief BD
SE
Officer
Division Chief
AFA
Architect
Program Officer
President
Engineer
Project Officer
Sr. Eng
Pol. .Rep
Inspector
Division Chief
President
SPD
US
Senior Engineer
Office
KMC
NSET
KMC
KMC
KMC
KMC
KMC
KMC
Khwopa Eng. College
Maoist
KMC
KMC
KMC
KMC
KMC
KMC
KVTDC
KMC
LSMP
CDRMP
KMC
UNDP
CDRMP/UNDP
KMC
JICA
NSET
KMC
UNDP
KMC
KMC
KMC
KMC
SONA
UNDP
MLD
Madhyapur Thimi
Municipality
Report on
Enhancement Capacities of Five Municipalities
Annex II.
Peer Review
“Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Megacities:
A Pilot Application in Kathmandu, Nepal, Phase 2 Report”
Kenneth C. Topping, FAICP
Topping Associates International
December 6, 2009
Introduction and Approach
This is one of several external review reports on the second phase of the project titled
“Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Megacities: A Pilot Application in Metro
Manila, Philippines and Kathmandu, Nepal, to undertake specific disaster reduction
endeavors and to strengthen their disaster management capabilities. Under a contract executed
in July 2009, Section 2.1-A2 of the contract scope of services calls for the following task
requirements regarding external review of Kathmandu- Development of Risk-sensitive
physical land-use plan:
a. Review the conceptual frame on Risk sensitive land use planning process and provide
comments to operationalize the framework in context of KMC based on the situational
analysis done by the team.
b. Review the KMC updated profile in order to identify the gaps in the data that may have
significant impact on the land use planning of the KMC.
c. Review the goals and objectives of the KMC risk sensitive land use planning vis-à-vis
alternative spatial strategies to check if the strategies are align[ed] with goals and
objectives of the planning.
d. Review the evaluation and selection process in determining the preferred spatial strategy
e. Review KMC Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan document and corresponding model zoning
ordinance to:



Evaluate the overall relevancy of the data used, methodology applied, and conceptual
frame work implemented.
Review the applicability in term of the document‟s ease of use by KMC planners.
Review the overall content to insure that the content is in line [with] acceptable land use
planning practice.
Overview
The Phase 2 Report generally continues the same general level of excellence established in
the Phase 1 report in 2008. It provides an insightful overview of governmental land use
planning in Kathmandu Municipal City (KMC) under the Local Self Government Act
(LSGA) of 1999, By-Laws for Construction in Kathmandu Valley of 2007, and Kathmandu
Valley Town Development Act of 1976.
General Comments
Overall, this is a very professional planning report with substantial depth of thought, given
inherent limitations in the situation (see Phase 1 External Review, dated February 24, 2008).
It lays a useful foundation for continued risk sensitive land use planning, regulation, and
community improvement by KMC, and establishes a potential model for use by other
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jurisdictions in the Kathmandu Valley, including KVTDC and the VDCs. The following
general comments and recommendations are related to the preceding contract task
requirements.
1.
The conceptual framework on risk sensitive land use planning process is sound. However,
the situational analysis raises questions about the adequacy of available data by which to
operationalize risk reduction strategies within this framework because of the general
absence of adequate mapping of seismic, flood, landslide, mudslide, and fire hazards
mapping, (a.k.a. microzonation). The report mentions but does not include a Resource
Map showing natural hazards information.
Recommendation: The Phase 2 RSLUP Report should make clear the need for various levels
of government, including KMC, to undertake systematic natural hazards mapping in order to
strengthen risk sensitive land use planning over time.
2.
The KMC updated profile helps to clarify many elements of the Kathmandu social,
economic, physical, environment, and governance treated more generally in the Phase 1
Report. Data gaps impacting risk sensitive land use planning include need for better
hazard mapping, mentioned previously. Additionally, informal building and poor
construction practices are mentioned, and attention is given to the risk reduction strategies
and land use interventions dealing with proper enforcement of building by-laws.
Recommendation: Although reference is made in Chapter 5 to the need for adoption of a
KMC land use and building by-law system, particularly in relation to seismic risk,
consideration should be given to also placing greater emphasis on this need in other chapters
of the report. The report should generally emphasize the importance of modernization of land
use, building, and construction regulations and administration as an essential element
supporting risk sensitive land use planning.
3.
Alternative spatial strategies of the KMC risk sensitive land use planning appear to be
well aligned with the goals and objectives of the plan.
4.
The selection process in determining the preferred spatial strategy appears to be sound.
5.
A review of the KMC draft Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan document generally reveals
that: the overall data used, methodology applied, and conceptual frame work implemented
are relevant and sound; the document appears to be generally applicable and useful for
KMC planner; and the content is in line with acceptable land use planning practice.
However, its utility could be enhanced by inclusion of the following changes: a) Maps
and map legends should be made more legible within this report through enlargement to
full page size in landscape mode. b) Layout of Tables 3.5 – 3.9 risk reduction strategies
and Table 5.7, Proposed Land Use Interventions, should be reformatted for greater utility.
c) Also needed is a thorough edit to correct small grammatical and spelling errors.
Chapter 1 Comments
Chapter 1, Planning Mandates and Approach, provides an introduction to the RSLUP and
other related plans. It contains a helpful summary of overlapping national, regional and
municipal planning authorities, and emphasizes the KMC responsibility to include top-down
directives from various ministries and independent development authorities and bottom-up
suggestions from the wards. Chapter 1 notes that risk sensitive land use planning can be
effective when local authorities mainstream disaster risk reduction into ongoing activity,
noting also, however, that this is a working document and not a detailed and comprehensive
plan.
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Chapter 1 includes a description of the overall process for mainstreaming disaster risk
reduction concepts into the land use planning (especially Figures 1.2 and 1.3) through
integration of available risk information with formulation of a vision, goals, objectives,
targets, and strategies, including alternate spatial strategies and approaches to selection of a
preferred strategy. These products are subject to public consultation to gain consensus for the
final RSLUP product.
A major difficulty is the need to rely largely on the JICA seismic risk assessment of 2001
which focused on earthquakes. Data on flood and fire hazards appears to be minimal. Another
difficulty is absence of information regarding potential sources of funding for various
projects. However, this is less of an impediment in a document of such broad scope and long
duration (10 years), because cost estimates can be added over time.
Recommendation 1.1: Boundaries of KMC and other subunits of government in the
Kathmandu Valley should be made clear in Chapter 1.
Chapter 2 Comments
Chapter 2, Vision, contains a brief vision statement prepared by various groups during the
visioning exercise held in July 2009, together with descriptions of ideal measures of success
for various vision elements. The vision statement emphasizes beauty, safety, tourism, health,
green living, robust economy, and resilient local governance. Elaborating the vision statement
are a series of vision elements and indicators of success for evaluating progress, consisting of
a series of ideal social, economic, and physical development and environmental protection
conditions against which progress can be measured. Notable among these are conditions of a
self-sustaining KMC empowered to become a self-reliant, effective partner in attainment of
national goals, using effective management, citizen involvement, and land use planning and
other modern tools of local governance to build and sustain disaster resilience.
Recommendation 2.1: Vision statements are useful in identifying ideal values by which
progress can be assessed over the long term in relation to pursuit of intermediate activities.
Although it is implied, it might be helpful to state more clearly that conditions envisioned are
well beyond the plan‟s 10-year time horizon, probably taking decades to attain.
Chapter 3 Comments
Chapter 3, Development Issues and Problems, summarizes the constraints which must be
overcome and opportunities for bringing KMC closer to realization of its vision. Constraints
include unplanned land use, inadequate housing and urban facilities, industrial and residential
expansion, sprawling development due to the influx of population, increased incomes, and
ethnic concentrations in the core area and its surroundings (Figure 3.6. Social Issues and
Concerns).
A major hazard emphasized in Chapter 3 is seismicity, represented by a potential M8.0 MidNepal Earthquake which would produce MMI VII damages in Kathmandu Valley. Such an
event is expected to heavily damage 53,000 buildings, and result in 18,000 deaths and 53,000
injured persons. More common and frequent hazards are flooding, landslides and debris flows
associated with the many rivers and streams in the KMC area, along with fires occurring
largely in hilly regions where poor people tend to live. Also of concern is insufficient water
supply and quality.
Figure 3.7 Environmental Issues and Concerns and the accompanying text succinctly
summarizes factors including shortage of habitable land, continuing loss of public open space,
increasing demand for urban land, conversion of agricultural lands, fragmentation of land
parcel arising from inheritance, backlogs in infrastructure development, water supply and
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distribution problems, poor wastewater collection and treatment, tourism and environmental
deterioration, air pollution, electrical power shortages, and duping of solid wastes, perennial
traffic congestion, risks to building and infrastructure from natural hazards.
Figure 3.1.1, Critical Facilities Map, identifies the overall configuration of structures, natural
features, and infrastructure for KMC. Other concerns include loss of cultural heritage,
ineffective education policy, decreasing performance of industries, and weak institutional
capacities. Approaches considered include urban rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment,
preservation, re-blocking, and land readjustment, in combination with several broad urban
form strategies dealing with land supply, demand management, and control of sprawl.
This chapter concludes with a series of mutually reinforcing risk reduction and development
strategies such as restricting or discouraging new structures in high risk areas, economic
incentives to discourage development in high risk areas, relocation of occupants in high risk
buildings, protection of critical facilities, and encouragement of acquisition and buying out of
properties. These strategies are further linked to particular issues/problems, goals, objectives,
and strategies in Tables 3.6 – 3.10.
Recommendation 3.1: Although seismicity is properly emphasized, threats arising from
climate change deserve additional attention. Primary among these is flooding. The
International Panel on Climate Change has identified a variety of effects of climate change,
including earlier snow melt, heavy spring flooding, increased heat, and decreased water
supply, leading to hazards such as such as flooding, landslides, debris flows, and fires.
Recommendation 3.2: Chapter 3 should directly address the need for various levels of
government, including KMC, to undertake systematic natural hazards mapping to strengthen
risk sensitive land use planning over time, as suggested in the Phase 1 External Review.
Chapter 4 Comments
Chapter 4, Towards a Preferred Urban Form, discusses the preferred urban form as the
organizing concept for guiding the physical growth of the city. The process of generating
alternative spatial strategies for KMC involved balancing urban land demand and supply,
overlay analysis taking into account seismic risk analysis, and selection of a preferred spatial
strategy. Although the procedure involved consideration of alternative urban forms, basic land
use planning references were the current KMC land us map (2008) and KVTDC (2007) land
use plan.
The difference of the preferred urban form with the other plans stems primarily from
incorporation of results of the 2002 Kathmandu Valley Earthquake Study results into the land
use planning process. Immediate concerns include reducing risk of building damage and
reducing loss of life in the core and dense residential areas of KMC. The strategy focuses on
protecting assets, limiting further densification of the core areas, locating future structures in
safe and planned areas in a multi-centered series of growth satellites supported by a properly
planned transport system.
Chapter 4 also notes that similar issues may be faced by other urbanizing municipalities and
VDCs. Common seismic vulnerability assessments and transportation studies may be required
to integrate these concerns across jurisdictional boundaries. Proposed strategies suggest the
possibility of a phased approach emphasizing development in KMC in the next 5-7 years and
location of future large-scale developments outside the city toward the end of the planning
period. Given the vulnerability of existing building stock within the core and opportunities for
meeting higher building standards in new centers, limitation of further densification within
the KMC core and establishment of a multi-core satellite pattern within and outside city
boundaries is logical from a risk reduction perspective.
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However, the preferred urban form intensifies challenges of providing substantive policy and
best practices guidance to staffs of KMC, KVTDC, and the VDCs for integrating disaster risk
reduction with land use planning and coordination across jurisdictional boundaries. It also
requires a transport system extending beyond current limitations. Although bus systems are
mentioned, no suggestion is made of the long-term potential of developing a mass rail transit
system for the Kathmandu Valley.
Recommendation 4.1: To improve the chances of success for this strategy, consideration
should be given to KMC adoption of new regulations, protocols and practices needed to
assure adequate levels of land use and building regulation as well as coordination across
jurisdictional boundaries.
Recommendation 4.2: Consideration should also be given to the long-term possibility of
development of a rail mass transit system to support this multi-nodal growth pattern
connecting the core, the airport, satellite centers and other parts of the Valley.
Chapter 5 Comments
Chapter 5, KMC Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan, presents the land use plan and the policy
framework for regulation of future land-using activities consistent with the chosen spatial
strategy, with national and other higher level policies, and with the vision for their city.
Chapter 5 integrates outputs of the planning process, data gathered and analyzed, issues
addressed in workshops, expressions of participants, conditions of the city, and, using the
preferred spatial strategy coordinates these into the draft RSLUP.
The draft RSLUP is to serve as the long-term guide for shaping the future physical growth of
the city, and a policy framework for use by KMC in exercising authority in prescribing
reasonable restraints on use of property within its boundaries. The RSLUP is to be the basis
for the enactment of a revised zoning ordinance, for the regulation of subdivision
developments, among its major applications. The RSLUP is comprised of four component
parts corresponding to the major land use policy areas of settlements, production, protection,
and infrastructure areas. These four policy areas cover all areas of KMC territory, and align
the RSLUP with physical framework plans of higher governmental authorities.
Chapter 5 presents detailed discussion of policy areas in terms of needed policy/legislation,
describing each policy area down to the ward level. Time and other resource constraints for
Phase 2 have precluded the detailed surveys needed to prepare detailed zoning prescriptions.
Therefore only tentative and generally indicative zoning recommendations are made in this
chapter until a more detailed delineation of each policy area can be made in the future.
Desired interventions for each policy area are classified into two categories:
programs/projects/ activities and policy/legislation in Table 5.2, Proposed Land Use
Interventions. The recommendations for intervention indicate policy/legislative measures
needed to support implementation of the RSLUP without spelling out all the details of such
actions.
In this sense the draft RSLUP actually represents what would be known in some jurisdictions
as a “Specific Plan” which can serve as legislative guide to further detailed action by
providing specific direction subject to further detailed articulation. Table 5.2, Proposed Land
Use Interventions, provides a broader planning framework than represented by an ordinary
zoning ordinance, constituting a specific policy framework leading to future action on more
detailed instruments, such as a zoning ordinance. Specific Plans carry a stronger legislative
commitment than an ordinary land use plan and are adopted by ordinance, thus having the
force of law.
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Recommendation 5.1: Following relatively minor adjustments to its format to make it easier
to use (e.g., inclusion of headings at the top of each column on each page), the RSLUP should
be reviewed for detailed content by the public and the KMC legislative body, after which it
should be put considered for adoption by the legislative body as a Risk Sensitive Land Use
Specific Plan (RSLUSP) for KMC.
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Annex III. Annex C. Data Collected for the Sectoral Profile
Description of the Data
Source
Kathmandu City at a glance; a table of
information about Kathmandu City
KMC Website:
www.Kthmandu.gov.np
Land Area by sector and wards
KMC Ward Profile, 2005
Lives Lost Due to Different Disasters
Dhakal, 2006
Epicentral Distribution around Nepal
from 1255 to 2001
Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March
2002
Modified Mercalli Scale and the
Description of Damage
NSET- Nepal
Population by Ward from 1991 and 2001
Population Census 2001, CBS
Kathmandu Valley Mapping Project
T. Pradhan, KMC-GIS Section
Kathmandu City Population Projection
by Ward
Population Census 2001, CBS
Kathmandu Valley Mapping Project
T. Pradhan, KMC GIS Section
www.kathmandu.gov.np/index.php?cid=6&pr_id=6
Population Densities of different VDCs
and Municipalities
Joshi, 2004
Population Density per Ward
Population Census 2001, CBS and Information System Unit,
Kathmandu Valley Mapping Project
T. Pradhan, KMC-GIS Section
KMC Household Population and
Household Size in 1991 and 2001
Population Census 2001, CBS
KMC Population by Sex, 1991 and 2001
Population Census 2001, CBS
Kathmandu Valley Mapping Project
T. Pradhan, KMC-GIS Section
KMC Population by 5-Year Age Group
ISRC, Municipality Profile of Nepal – 2008
Population Age Group
ISRC, Municipality Profile of Nepal – 2008
Major Caste/Ethnicity
ISRC, Municipality Profile of Nepal – 2008
Major Languages Spoken
ISRC, Municipality Profile of Nepal – 2008
Major Religion
ISRC, Municipality Profile of Nepal – 2008
Population by Place and Birth
ISRC, Municipality Profile of Nepal – 2008
Percentage of Population with
Disability, 2001
Population Census 2001, CBS
School Educated Persons
Population Census 2001, CBS
Tertiary graduates
Population Census 2001, CBS
Number of Schools
Population Census 2001, CBS
Number of Teachers
Population Census 2001, CBS
Primary and Secondary School
Enrollment Rate in KMC, 2000
Population Census 2001, CBS
Higher School Enrollment Rate in KMC,
2000
Population Census 2001, CBS
Persons Per Hospital Bed
Population Census 2001, CBS
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Infant Mortality Rate (per „000 infants),
2001
Population Census 2001, CBS
Crude Birth Rate (per „000 population),
2001
Population Census 2001, CBS
Crude Death Rate (per „000 population),
2001
Population Census 2001, CBS
Floor Area per Person (sq m)
Population Census 2001, CBS
Occupancy Status
Population Census 2001, CBS
Types of Housing Construction in KMC
Population Census 2001, CBS
Types of Housing Construction in KMC
Population Census 2001, CBS
Crime Rate (per „000 population)
Population Census 2001, CBS
Inventory of Personnel and Firefighting
Facilities, 2009
Enforcement Division, KMC
Figure 4.3 Comparative Chart of People,
Road, Vehicles and Traffic Police
www.nepalpolice.gov.np
Figure 4.4 Disaster Management
Framework in Nepal
Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs
Dissemination of Earthquake
Information and Disaster Management
ICIMOD, 2007
Annual Average per Capita
Income
World Bank, 2001
Employment by Major Economic
Activities
Population Census 2001, CBS and Information System Unit
Unemployment Rate
Population Census 2001, CBS and Information System Unit
Households Employing Domestic Child
Labor by Caste and Occupation
Shama et al., 2001
Number and Nature of Business
Establishments in KMC
KMC Ward Profiles, 2005
Households Operating Small Scale Nonagricultural Activities by Type of
Activity
ISRC, Municipality Profile of Nepal - 2008
Households Having Agricultural Land,
Livestock and Poultry within KMC
ISRC, Municipality Profile of Nepal – 2008
Tourist Arrival in Nepal
Macroeconomic Situation (2007/08 Nepal Rastra Bank)
Hotel Accommodation in KMC by
Category
Maharjan and Guni, 2005
KMC Urban Land Use, 1995
Cities Data Book, KMC, 2000
Land Area per Land Use Type
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Government
Registered and Approved Building
Permits in KMC 1999-2009
UDD, KMC, 2009
Composition of new Construction and
Extension, Registered and Approved
Building Permits in KMC 2004-2009
UDD, KMC, 2009
Registered and Approved Building
Permits in KMC (in sq. ft.) 2004-2009
UDD, KMC 2009
List of Land Pooling Project
UDD, KMC, 2009
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KMC Land Use Distribution, 2001
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Government
Land Area per Land Use Type,
2006
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Government
Areas under Different Land Use (in
hectares)
ISU, KVMP/KMC - Tribhuvan Pradhan
Percentage of each Land Use in Total
Land Area
ISU, KVMP/KMC - Tribhuvan Pradhan
KMC Vehicle Population, 2001
UNESCAP, 2003
KMC Vehicle Registration in Bagmati
Zones
Department of Traffic Management
KMC Vehicle Annual Growth
Department of Traffic Management
Waste Generation and Collection
SWMRMC, 2004
Solid Waste Generation Rate of
Kathmandu per Ward
KMC Ward Profiles, 2005
Table 9.1 Sources of Revenue
Source: KMC, 2001
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Annex 2: Delivarable 2: Risk Sensitive Land Use
Planning (RSLUP) Blended Training End
of Course Report
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Technical Services for Strengthening
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and
Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal
Delivarable 2: Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP) Blended
Training End of Course Report
Submitted to:
UNDP Nepal
-
Prepared by:
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative
National Society for Earthquake
Technology-Nepal (NSET)
July 30, 2012
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ABOUT THE DOCUMENT
This report presents the approach and outcome of the Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning
Blended Training from March 12 to April 29, 2012. It discusses the existing Global Facility
for Disaster Risk Reduction (GFDRR) training platform, the training needs assessment, the
customizations made, the process and the results of the customized training. This report is
submitted as part of the last set of deliverables of the project under the Strengthening Risk
Sensitive Land Use Planning and Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal Project.
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
The document is a product of the Strengthening Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and
Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal Project. The content of the document is jointly owned by
the Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) and the National Society of Earthquake
Technology (NSET), Nepal and as such indicated: Copyright© 2012 EMI and NSET
Concepts, methods, data and tools (e.g. mainstreaming approach, risk sensitive land use
planning model and others) used in the document and originally owned by the Earthquakes
and Megacities Initiative (EMI) prior to the project, are and remain the sole intellectual
property of EMI as indicated in EMI‟s prior documents, reports, and internal communication.
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CONTRIBUTORS
EMI
Fouad Bendimerad, Ph.D., P.E., Seismology and Earthquake Risk Expert
Renan Tanhueco, Ph.D., Urban and Regional Land Use Planning Expert
Mr. Jerome Zayas, Task Manager
Mr. Moses Kent Borinaga, Project Coordinator
Mr. Jose Mari Daclan, Knowledge Management Specialist
Mr. Jesus Dominic Dizon, Training Specialist
Ms. Audrey Noeltner, Intern
Ms. Elsa Desmaison, Intern
NSET
Mr. Amod Mani Dixit, Senior Expert
Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, Task Manager
Mr. Surya Narayan Shrestha, Senior Expert
Mr. Ganesh Kumar Jimee, Junior Expert
Ms. Bhubaneshwari Parajuli, Junior Expert
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Annex 2:
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP) Blended Training
End of Course Report ................................................................ 264
About the Document ....................................................................................................... 266
Copyright Information .................................................................................................... 266
Contributors .................................................................................................................... 267
List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................. 269
2.1
Introduction ................................................................................................ 270
2.2
The Process of Developing the RSLUP Blended Training Course ............. 271
2.3
2.4
Annexes
2.2.1
Existing GFDRR RSLUP E-Learning Course ..............................................271
2.2.2
Training Needs Assessment Results and other Considerations .................271
2.2.3
The Blended Training Course ......................................................................272
2.2.4
Training Kit ...................................................................................................275
The Conduct of the Training ....................................................................... 275
2.3.1
Training Participants ....................................................................................275
2.3.2
Brief Profile of Participants ...........................................................................275
2.3.3
Operability of RSLUP E-Learning ...............................................................276
2.3.4
Use of “English” as the Language for Communication ................................277
2.3.5
Attendance in Meetings ...............................................................................277
Content Evaluation of the Blended Training Course ................................... 277
2.4.1
RSLUP Content............................................................................................277
2.4.2
Discussion Forums ......................................................................................278
2.4.3
Issues that were engaging the participants into discussions .......................278
2.4.4
End of Course Project and Closing Ceremony ............................................279
2.4.5
End of Course Evaluation ............................................................................280
....................................................................................................................... 281
Annex I.
Training Needs Assessment Results ...........................................................................281
Annex II.
Training Platform Companion ......................................................................................284
Annex III.
Training Evaluation Form ............................................................................................321
Annex IV.
Briefing on the Closing Ceremony of E-Learning Training Course .............................324
Annex V.
Framework for Making KV Development Concept Risk Sensitive ..............................330
Annex VI.
Photographs of the Closing Ceremony........................................................................352
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LIST OF ACRONYMS
BCI
Building Code Implementation
BM
Bhaktapur Municipality
CST
Course Support Team
DF
Discussion Forum
DRM
Disaster Risk Management
DRMMP
Disaster Risk Management Master Plan
DRR
Disaster Risk Reduction
DUDBC
Department of Urban Development and Building Construction
ECP
End of Course Project
EMI
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative
F2F
Face-to-face
GFDRR
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery
IWOs
Implementation Work Outputs
KM
Kirtipur Municipality
KMC
Kathmandu Metropolitan City
KV
Kathmandu Valley
KVTDC
Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee
KVDA
Kathmandu Valley Development Authority
LSMC
Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City
MoLD
Ministry of Local Development
MoPPW
Ministry of Physical Planning and Works
M-TM
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality
NDRMP
Natural Disaster Risk Management Program
NSET
National Society for Earthquake Technology
PIT
Project Implementation Team
RSLUP
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning
SME
Subject Matter Expert
TNA
Training Needs Assessment
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
VDC
Village Development Committee
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2.1
Introduction
Part of the collective approach to strengthening the risk sensitive land use planning and
implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal is increasing the disaster risk management (DRM)
competency in land use planning through capacity building. Hence, one of the Project‟s goals
was to reinforce the knowledge of planners and decision makers of selected institutions in
Kathmandu in understanding risk sensitive land use planning. One of the efficient modes
designed to carry out this activity was through blended learning process combining e-learning
with face-to-face training and discussion. The e-learning component of the training allowed
the participants to take part in discussions, do readings and assignments and summarize what
they have learned in the course. This was facilitated by course coordinators and a subject
matter expert who were available online to monitor participants‟ involvement in the course
and respond to their learning needs. The e-learning included weekly online meetings that
provided a forum for real time interaction between the course support team (CST) and the
participants for lectures and discussions on land use planning and management.3 Both
participants and CST benefitted in the knowledge sharing process and made use of the inputs
in formulating the Kathmandu valley-wide RSLUP framework, which is also a requirement
under another deliverable of this Project.4 The RSLUP Blended Training Course was
implemented from March 12 to April 29, 2012.
The National Society of Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) in partnership with the
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) collectively addressed the following set of
deliverables as indicated in the project‟s terms of reference:
1. Training materials for RSLUP and customization; and
2. Delivery of training for KMC stakeholders and planners/other practitioners on RSLUP,
Kathmandu land use plan and its component and enforcement processes.
The NSET-EMI partnership for reducing the risk of disasters in Kathmandu began in October
2004 when EMI led a consortium of national and international organizations in the
development of the Disaster Risk Management Master Plan (DRMMP) for KMC. NSET
provided support in local coordination and validation as the “Local Investigator”; KMC was
the main institutional partner and recipient of the DRMMP together with pilot cities of
Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. The Kathmandu Valley Disaster Risk Management Master Plan
Project was built on prior work done in the region to complement, and not duplicate, past
investments on DRR that contribute to increasing Kathmandu‟s resilience to disasters. The
approach was to develop a multi-sectoral comprehensive DRMMP for Kathmandu that can
serve as a road map for integrating and optimizing disaster risk reduction (DRR) investments
in Kathmandu City, and which could be used as a model for the whole Kathmandu Valley.
The outputs of the DRRMP, through the Implementation Work Outputs (IWOs), provided
areas for priority investments in DRR. This led to a follow-up project by EMI in partnership
with NSET, funded by the German Foreign Affairs Office to further develop the IWOs. The
3
Course support team (CST) include the subject matter expert (SME), course facilitators (CF), course administrator (CA),
project coordinator (PC).
4
The RSLUP Blended Training Course is one of four sets of project deliverables; the other three are the Kathmandu
Metropolitan City (KMC) RSLUP Framework review and endorsement, Kathmandu Valley (KV) RSLUP Framework, and the
Identification and prioritization process for municipalities and urbanizing VDCs for RSLUP.
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two-phase Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Megacities: A Pilot Application in
Kathmandu, Nepal Project resulted in the formulation of the RSLUP of KMC. Further
investments came under the Flagship project, a multi-donor initiative lead by UNDP. Under
the latter, the KMC RSLUP was refined, institutionalized, and eventually extended to the
larger Kathmandu Valley. In the process, several national institutions are being engaged as
part of the DRR mainstreaming activities. This report provides a summary of the training
activities conducted by EMI and NSET on RSLUP for planners and decision makers of select
institutions in Kathmandu.
2.2
The Process of Developing the RSLUP Blended Training Course
This Chapter discusses the customization process of the training course into the blended
version. It also presents the features of the original online format and the additional features
that were tailored for the key RSLUP stakeholders of Kathmandu Valley. The results of the
Training Needs Assessment (TNA) provided the basis for the modifications.
2.2.1 Existing GFDRR RSLUP E-Learning Course
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, Inc. (EMI) has been implementing the Natural Disaster
Risk Management Program (NDRMP) in partnership with the World Bank‟s Global Facility
for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). NDRMP includes a suite of eight (8) elearning courses on disaster disk reduction (DRR) which to date has graduated more than 500
participants from 40 countries around the world.
For Kathmandu, EMI used the existing RSLUP course of the NDRMP. The methodology for
delivering the RSLUP course to Kathmandu participants followed the existing online delivery
strategy of the NDRMP online learning platform. Specifically, the following features of the
RSLUP online learning course were applied for Kathmandu:






Course Map – The RSLUP Blended Training Course Map provided the participants a
guide to the general content of the distance learning training course. The course content is
arranged in a chronological manner with the weekly course activities.
Discussion Forum – The Discussion Forum (DF) board provided a venue for the
participants to exchange ideas and employ what they have learned from the readings and
their respective experiences at work. The discussions are managed by the Subject Matter
Expert (SME). The SME posts a question/topic, and the participants are expected to
provide their feedback, share their thoughts and experiences on the topic provided.
Assignments – There were two assignments given for each participant and distributed one
in each week prior to the End of Course Project development.
End of Course Project – The End of Course Project (ECP) is the final requirement
submitted by each participant.
Latest News – The latest news provided the facility for sending out general
announcements such as tasks and activities and course deadlines.
File Sharing – This feature of the platform provided a venue for the participants to share
articles, relevant documents, and other related announcements.
Details of other features applied in the Kathmandu RSLUP course is discussed in Section 2.3.
2.2.2 Training Needs Assessment Results and other Considerations
Before the conduct of the e-learning course, NSET and EMI were made aware of the power
disruptions in Kathmandu Valley that would affect the conduct of the e-learning. Upon further
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advice from UNDP and from the results of the training needs assessment, the following
circumstances were considered:









Difficulties in accessing the online platform due to power interruptions in Kathmandu
City;
Existing work load by participants from their jobs, among others (as this training course
assumes that they can only devote part of their time for the training);
Preference by participants to have a classroom style of learning which required setting up
real-time online discussions between the CST and the participants every Wednesday 5 to 7
pm, Nepal time;
On-the-ground follow up support provided by NSET to the participants to complement the
follow-up activities already built into the e-learning program; and,
RSLUP Training Kit Companion (hardcopies of presentations, readings, activities and
instructions) was made available to participants, and in consideration of the above
concerns.
Prior to the e-learning, in the period covering mid February to early March 2012, a
Training Needs Assessment (TNA) was conducted to determine the expectations of the
participants and assess the technical requirements prior to the delivery of the course.
Findings from the TNA include the following:
Seventeen (17) of 19 respondents indicated that they have limited to regular internet
access and that they mostly acquire access in their respective work places and/or in their
individual houses.
For every training week, 9 out of 19 respondents could commit only 1-3 hours in the
online training course while two respondents can commit 4-6 hours. The remaining seven
(7) respondents can participate for 6 hours and above.
Participants reported the same level of commitment for both F2F and online training.
However, those who committed more hours for online activities reduced their time
commitment for F2F. Similarly, some who committed less online time increased the
number of time committed for F2F.
For the full report of the Training Needs Assessment, see Annex 1.
The RSLUP online course together with the face-to-face training is called the “Blended
Training” course.
2.2.3 The Blended Training Course
Taking into account the parameters from section 2.2 above, the Course Support Team
(facilitators, SME, and the project team) customized the existing GFDRR platform by
integrating the face-to-face modality and the following features:
E-Consultations – The E-Consultation was added into the online feature. E-Consultation,
in real-time, was conducted every Wednesday of the week at 3:00PM (Nepali Time) for
four (4) weeks. These meetings utilized the Skype communications tool in order for the
participants and the training experts of the e-learning course to be able to discuss the
course content (e.g. presentations, readings), provided feedback on the submitted course
requirements (e.g. assignments) and clarify issues (e.g. related to the End of Course
Project).
 Face-to-face Training – Towards the end of the Blended Training Course, the SME
joined the participants and NSET facilitators in Kathmandu, Nepal during its last week and
was personally present to help facilitate the end of course report writing. He also served as

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



resource person for consultations and additional discussions. The culminating activity was
the presentation of the participant‟s end of course project (ECP) report.
Required Readings and Suggested Readings – The RSLUP Online Platform included
set of required readings originally developed both by GFDRR and EMI to introduce the
basics of risk sensitive land use planning. As part of the customization of the training and
to better explain the context and concepts, additional readings were provided in the
Training Platform Companion (see Annex 2). Further, the training course had two sets of
readings, namely: required and suggested readings. Required readings were mandatory for
the RSLUP coursework, as these readings would give the basic information and insights
on methods, tools and information to the participants. As such, it was imperative that the
participants would read all of these. Suggested readings were provided as supplemental
information to help participants gain a better understanding of RSLUP by providing more
examples of its applications. The period of one and a half month was allocated for the
participants to complete the readings.
Discussion Forum (DF) – For each Discussion Forum, the SME posted two sets of
questions: one for participants from the cities and municipalities; another for the
participants from the Ministries, Departments and Kathmandu Valley Town Development
Committee. The participants were expected to provide at least two substantive inputs for
every DF. There were three (3) sets of discussion forum in the training course and the
participants were required to participate in all of DF sessions.
Group Assignments – This customized training course had two (2) sets of group
assignments. The participants were grouped according to the institution or local
government units they belong. For the first assignment (i.e. Assignment 1), separate set of
questions related to hazards identification were given to the cities and municipalities and
to fellow participants from the Ministries, Departments and Kathmandu Valley Town
Development Committee. For the second assignment, the participants were given
questions related to vulnerability identification and analysis within Kathmandu Valley.
End of Course Project – The End of Course Project (ECP), unlike the assignments,
served as the final activity for participants to apply what they learned in the basic course
on risk sensitive land use planning and management. Here, the participants were given a
minimum of two weeks to complete and hand over their ECPs. This major course
requirement also served as one of the main indicators on the knowledge gained by
participants after four weeks of training. The ECPs were evaluated based on the following
criteria:
1. Use or application of the contents/learning materials and their coherence;
2. Clear indication of and reference to the lessons derived;
3. Use of critical thinking and depth of analysis; and,
4. Substantive and relevant recommendations.
Participants who were able to complete the course were provided certificates of completion.
The schedule for the above features can be found in the Course Map below.
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Figure 2.1: Course Map
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The 6-week long training was divided into the following topics: 1) pre-course activities, 2)
introduction to LUP, 3) disaster risk assessment, 4) risk management, 5) end of course project
preparation, and 6) course closure.
2.2.4 Training Kit
As part of the Project‟s commitment to provide complete access to training materials to the
participants, the course support team (facilitators) provided both soft and hard copies of the
training materials, identified as the Training Platform Companion Kit. There were two parts
of the Training Kit, namely, the Training Platform Companion for the Risk Sensitive Land
Use Planning Blended Training Course and the Set of Additional Required and Suggested
Readings (See Annex 2 for the abridge copy). The former compiles all the topic questions
and corresponding instructions of the: 1) course assignments, 2) end of course project, 3)
online DFs, 4) reading materials found in the GFDRR online platform and 5) E-Consultations.
The 235-page RSLUP Training Platform Companion Kit along with the additional readings
helped ensure that participants could find the material readily, and save time spent on online
downloading of reading materials and on-line interaction.
2.3
The Conduct of the Training
The objective of the course was to improve the participants‟ understanding of the main
concepts and techniques of risk-sensitive land use planning and management. Here, the
participants were made to be familiarized with various land use planning interventions and
physical development strategies to reduce and mitigate disaster risks. This section discusses
the profile of the participants, the operability of the blended training, and means of
communication and attendance.
2.3.1 Training Participants
Planners and stakeholders from the following four central government agencies (ministries,
department and town development committee) one l non-government organization, and five
cities/municipalities took part in the six-week training:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Ministry of Local Development (MoLD)
Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW)
Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC)
Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee (KVTDC)
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Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)
Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City (LSMC)
Bhaktapur Municipality (BM)
Kirtipur Municipality (KM)
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality (M-TM)
2.3.2 Brief Profile of Participants
The twenty (20) participants comprised mainly of Engineers, Architects and Geographers.
Nine (9) of the participants have served five (5) years or less in their current
office/department; three between six (6) to nine (9) years; and the remaining four (4)
exceeding ten (10) years of service.
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The tasks or duties of the respondents from the Ministries, department and town development
committee included:
1. Regional/small town physical development plan preparation;
2. Implementation and classification and boundary delineation of municipalities; and
3. Dealing with housing permits. Some of them were also involved with Disaster
Management Plans and Building Code implementation. Participants from the
municipalities and cities were involved in development construction work, survey of
roads and sewerage, building permitting, solid waste management, GIS mapping,
conservation of cultural heritage, and the conduct of pre-disaster awareness activities.
Ten (10) of the twenty (20) participants had advanced or more than basic knowledge and
experience in land use plan (LUP) preparation. Seven had basic knowledge on the process of
land use planning while only two, were not familiar with the land use plan preparation.
Four out of five respondents from participating municipalities had prior knowledge and
experience in preparing municipal or valley-wide socio-economic-physical profiles for land
use plans. Participants coming from the municipalities of Thimi and Lalitpur were not
familiar with the formulation and drafting of a socio-economic-physical profile. However, 17
out of 18 were reported to be knowledgeable of the history on how their respective
municipalities or how the Valley physically expanded.
As most of the participants are engineers and architects, it was expected that the themes of
interest would be more on implementation of zoning, local area plans or building plans, which
are related to project development and land use management.
All of the participants evaluated themselves as having good grasp of the English language.
(See Annex 1 for the general profile of the participants)
2.3.3 Operability of RSLUP E-Learning 5
From mid-March to end of April 2012, the RSLUP training comprising of an e-learning
course and four online real-time presentations were conducted by EMI and facilitated by
NSET. Logistical support was provided by the United Nations Development Program-Nepal
(UNDP-Nepal). The six-week course was divided into the following activities and topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Introduction to Land Use Planning (Week 1)
Disaster Risk Assessment (Week 2)
Risk Management (Week 3)
End of Course Tasks (Week 4-5)
Course Closure (Week 6).
All online real time presentations were held on Wednesdays between 3 and 5pm, Nepal time
through the Skype communications tool. The participants were able to see and hear the
lecturer on one screen and presentation lectures on another screen. This video-conferencing
permitted greater interaction between Kathmandu and Manila and provided the opportunity
for real time discussions after each presentation.
5
E-learning is the same as online learning, distance learning and interchangeably used in the report. It includes
on-line activities including real time presentations made.
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Participants gave premium on lectures provided by the SME and on opportunities to ask
questions and get answers at the end of each presentation. The E-Consultations proved to be
an effective medium of personalizing the course, by using the RSLUP mainstreaming
concepts and providing examples related to Kathmandu Valley and KMC. These were
provided in addition to the available GFDRR-RSLUP course content. Familiarity of the
subject matter expert with Kathmandu City and Kathmandu Valley planning, and able support
from NSET and UNDP provided the opportunity to contextualize, translate discussions from
English to Nepali, and to exchange views.
Logistical support was provided by UNDP-Nepal and NSET, including support for printing
the training kits, convening the participants, equipment rentals, venue and other workshop
requirements.
In order to maximize the opportunity for real-time online discussions, technical support on
both sides were made available earlier to make sure that communications were functioning
well. Along with having the best internet connection as possible, the availability of technical
support helped ensure that the quality of communication between Kathmandu and Manila.
2.3.4 Use of “English” as the Language for Communication
One major issue with this e-learning was the limited conversations in English by the
participants, which somehow limited the amount of conversations between the CST and the
training participants. But this was remedied through the active facilitation and translation of
discussions in Nepali by RSLUP training facilitators from NSET and UNDP representatives
present during E-Consultations.
Future online meetings organized under this training should encourage more discussions in
order to foster active participation during the presentation. An assigned translator can be one
way of removing the uneasiness of participants to engage in discussions using a foreign
language.
2.3.5 Attendance in Meetings
Based on records by NSET, three (3) out of twelve (12) municipal participants got a perfect
attendance; another five (5) of this group had one absence each while the remaining four (4)
participants had two absences each. Among the participants from the Ministries, only one got
a perfect attendance and the other four (4) participants had one absence each. Two members
of the group participated only once in those meetings. Overall, attendance rate is 76% which
reflected the commitment of most to learn and be actively engaged in the RSLUP basic
course.
2.4
Content Evaluation of the Blended Training Course
2.4.1 RSLUP Content
The RSLUP Blended Training Course was designed for the participants to have a better
understanding of the following: a) general land use planning framework and process; b) basic
concepts on disaster risk assessment (DRA); c) mainstreaming risk reduction in plans and d)
integration of concerns into Valley plans and periodic plans.
Participants with engineering and architectural backgrounds found themselves engaged in
concerns and issues related to implementation such as building planning, building codes,
building permitting process. Participants with planning backgrounds were more interested in
the implications of DRA to land use planning and management.
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Towards the end of the course, the participants‟ evaluation of their experience in the basic
blended course appeared to range from satisfactory to very satisfactory. Some participants
expressed the desire to have more training on the following:
1. Disaster risk assessment preparation and more exercises on DRA result integration in
plans; and
2. Exercises on mapping overlays, especially in the use of hazard map as a constraint
parameter in defining urban exclusion zones or decision zones.
The RSLUP basic training does not cover these specialized topics in depth; hence, advanced
trainings may be a follow-up activity in future engagements. A customized training on risk
assessment requires another set of expertise and conditions such as availability of hazard,
vulnerability and exposure data, and knowledge and use of applicable risk models, requiring
longer time of engagement for participants and local experts. Risk assessment data prepared
by experts are needed prior to training. These risk analysis outputs will be used in trainings
such as in mapping exercises and must be prepared before trainings are conducted. A training
needs survey for these advance work should be conducted.
2.4.2 Discussion Forums
The discussion forum served as the place where participants shared experiences and expertise
on specific issues. It facilitated the exchange of knowledge among participants and CST.
While active participants found the discussion forum sessions as relevant, it would have been
more effective if a single forum was maintained rather than separating Ministries, department,
and town development committee and Municipalities into two discussion groups. The former
group focused discussions on the Valley wide concerns and the other group focusing on their
respective municipalities or sub-cities concerns. Limited access to Internet in Nepal, their use
of a foreign language for writing, and personal motivation lessened their participation in
online discussions.
2.4.3 Issues that were engaging the participants into discussions
It is observed that the training participants who were active in DF and E-consultations were
more engaged in discussions on implementation and enforcement issues on land use planning,
zoning, building codes, and building by laws in the municipality. Some participants were
sharing their views on societal issues, renewable energy, and project management. The
following is a rundown of the issues that participants discussed in online forums and econsultations:
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the importance of risk sensitive land use planning and its implementation in local level
planning;
implementation and enforcement issues on land use planning, zoning, the building code,
and other building by laws in the municipality and valley areas;
improving land use control and institutional mechanism in Kathmandu Valley;
risk reduction in urban expansion of settlements;
relating LUP with the socio-economic life of the inhabitants;
encouraging active participation and creative support from local stakeholders in
implementing land use plans; and
Increasing awareness regarding the importance of RSLUP at various governmental levels.
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2.4.4 End of Course Project and Closing Ceremony
Selected end of course projects (ECPs) were presented during the closing ceremony of the
RSLUP Blended training held at the Kumari Function Room, Annapurna Hotel on April 29,
2012 in Kathmandu City. Prior to this activity, NSET, EMI and UNDP held a week long
writeshop to help participants develop material and integrate them into an end of course
project report. EMI subject matter expert and NSET experts provided consultations and
facilitated the process. UNDP provided the logistical support for the writeshop activities.
The e-learning training course ended with a closing ceremony on April 29, 2012. It was
divided into five segments namely opening session, participants‟ presentations followed by
discussions, participants‟ reflections, key note presentations and closing remarks (see Annex
3 for the full briefing and pictures of the Closing Ceremony). High Level Officials from the
central government like MoPPW, MoLD, KVDA, Civil Society organizations and UN
System were present in the welcome and opening session.
Two of the training participants shared their observations of the e-learning training course.
The first participant from KMC shared that there was a bit of hesitation towards e-learning
before the training as it was a new concept in Nepal. But the continuous interactions on the
process and the need and importance of the subject matter helped KMC to collaborate in the
training. He shared that the training was very useful in many respects in terms of time and
content and all have benefited from it. But he cautioned that results may not show
immediately as much more remains to be done. The participant added that a single training is
not adequate to build the capacity of KMC and other municipalities. He requested the
organizers to continue conducting such trainings in future to more technical personnel. He
further added that RSLUP should be incorporated in course design in academic institutions.
Similarly, involvement of the private sector in monitoring the Building Code Implementation
(BCI), new tools of mitigating disaster risk such as urban regeneration are also necessary to
speed up the process.
Another participant from DUDBC expressed that the training was a new learning experience
as it was different from the conventional training in terms of modality and time. He
appreciated the study materials that were provided in various formats and logistics support
during the training period. He also suggested a few points to make the training more effective
such as inclusion of more recent articles, improvement of visual quality of the presentations,
inclusion of risk assessment in the content of the training itself, consideration of RSLUP in
Masters degree Course of Planning in academic institutions, and extension of the training to
other parts of Nepal.
The KV RSLUP Framework was discussed during the Closing Ceremony (see Annex 4 for
the presentation). In summary, the presentation highlighted the continuing disasters in
Kathmandu and that the KV 2020 Plan did not address the particular hazards and risks in
detail. However, the policies and strategies opted for the sustainable development of KV in
the different land use policy areas: settlements, production, protection, and infrastructural
uses were found to be supportive of risk reduction efforts. The development policies and
strategies were strongly cored on five proactive policies in keeping an orderly, safe, and
balanced built and un-built environment:
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Environmental Protection and Management,
Better Urban Planning and Safer Urban Expansion and Management,
Better Enforcement of Building Codes and Bye Laws,
Better Calamity Mitigation, and
Improving Institutional Capacities for Planning and Enforcement.
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On hindsight, based on comments and recommendations received in the closing ceremonies
of the RSLUP training, succeeding trainings should add more material on land use analysis
and provide more hands-on exercises on land use mapping and on risk assessment. These
suggested items can be addressed in the proposed additional (or advanced training) RSLUP
training.
2.4.5 End of Course Evaluation
At the end of the blended training course, the participants were asked to answer a list of
questions on the course content (See Annex 3 for the Evaluation Form), course delivery, and
the learning platform including the conduct of face-to-face consultations. This evaluation was
done to gather feedback and comments on the delivery and administration of the course.
On the course content, majority of the participants agreed that the objectives of the blended
training courses were clearly defined and achieved. The readings, presentations, and case
studies were viewed as relevant reference materials. The modules on land use planning
(Module 1) and risk management (Module 3) were identified as very useful and important in
relation to their work and functions.
Other suggested topics for future courses include building structural design and the use of
new technology such as GIS in hazard mapping and assessment.
For course delivery, most of the participants believed that their questions and comments were
clearly addressed by the SME. Worth mentioning are the quality of instruction and the
personalized attention from the facilitators that the participants rated as excellent. The
blended training was handled and facilitated well. However, it was suggested that frequency
of real-time interactions should be increased and the delivery mechanism for participant‟s
engagement should be enhanced.
Based on the list of platform features that were useful in the course, the following were
identified as most relevant:

Personal Messaging
File Sharing
 Latest News
 Discussion Forum

Not all participants attended the series of real-time online consultations through the video
conferencing facility of Skype. In general, the participants rated the conduct of Econsultations as very useful though there were issues on slow internet connection which
impeded the learning interaction among the participants.
The results of the self-evaluation showed that the participants performed and participated well
in the course and acquired new and useful information. Results of the evaluation pointed out
the need for an advanced course on RSLUP. Similar to the results of the TNA, the
participants expressed willingness to devote more time for the e-learning course and face to
face interactions.
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ANNEXES
Annex I.
Training Needs Assessment Results
1. Training Needs Assessment Survey objectives and approach
From February to March 2012, the Training Needs Assessment (TNA) was conducted by the
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) and the Earthquakes and
Megacities Initiative (EMI) in preparation for the Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP)
Blended Training Course. The assessment was carried out to provide guidance in
implementing the online and face-to-face (F2F) training course modalities. This combination
of modalities has certain requirements expected from the participants (e.g. internet
connectivity and time devoted for training) that should be present in order for the delivery of
the course to be seamless. Aside from that, the assessment has the following objectives:
to determine the participants‟ level of experience and knowledge in preparing a land use
plan and in implementing the provisions of the plan;
 to solicit land use planning (LUP) issues and approaches that should be discussed during
the online and face-to-face training;

A survey questionnaire was used by the EMI-NSET Training Team and distributed by the
United Nations Development Programme-Nepal (UNDP-Nepal) to possible participants of the
course. The questionnaire covers personal and organizational information, experiences
pertaining to RSLUP, issues that the participants want to discuss in the online and F2F
forums, and items related to the conduct of training.
2.
General Profile of the Respondents
There are a total of twenty (20) respondents who submitted an accomplished Training Needs
Assessment survey forms. Out of which, only 19 respondents did give answers concerning
his/her experiences in work and knowledge of certain topics as indicated in the form.
Eventually, all of these respondents took part in the training course.
Personal Profile
 Out of the 20 respondents, ten or half of them are Engineers, two are Architects, two are
Geographers and the remaining six respondents have varied backgrounds.
 Nine of the respondents have served five years or less in their current office/department
while three between 6 to 9 years and the remaining four exceeds 10 years. Three of these
respondents exceed ten years of service and all three came from the Kathmandu
Metropolitan City (KMC). In all, there were 16 responses in this item out of 20.
 Tasks/duties of the respondents from the Ministries, departments and town development
committee ranges from regional/small town Physical Development Plan preparation and
implementation to the classification of boundary of municipalities and dealing with
housing permits. Some of these groups of respondents also delve with Disaster
Management Plans and Building Code implementation. While the respondents from the
municipalities and cities did development construction work, survey of roads and
sewerage, building permit, solid waste management, GIS mapping, conservation of
cultural heritage, and the conduct of pre-disaster awareness activities.
 Seventeen respondents have post-graduate degrees with four of them having dual masters‟
degrees.
Experiences
 Six out of 19 respondents do not have work experience related to land use and
development planning and implementation. These individuals are currently working at
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KMC and Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City. While a similar number (6in total) have three
years to less than a year of experience. Bhaktapur has an Architect who had 7-9 years of
experience in LUP. Only three individuals, each from the Department of Urban
Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), the Kathmandu Valley Town
Development Committee (KVTDC) and KMC have the experience for more than 10 years.
With a group of respondents who are mostly engineers, architects and geographers, one
out of two respondents has more than 10 years of work experience related to natural
sciences or engineering practice. There are only four persons who claimed that they don‟t
have any experiences at all in those fields including one Civil Engineer working at
Lalitpur.
A total of 6 respondents, with four of them are working in KMC and one each from
Lalitpur and the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD), do not have any work
experience related to development or land related policy making. Only 7 potential
participants have four years and above experience. The remaining respondents have 3
years or less experience.
When it comes to work experience related to information management, drafting and
mapping, 8 individuals have more than 10 years of experience with half of them from
KMC and the one each from DUDBC, KVTDC, Lalitpur and Bakhtapur. However, there
are also five individuals who have no experience in those tasks.
Most of the incoming participants have prior knowledge and understanding of Urban and
Regional Planning concepts; with only four from NSET, Lalitpur and Thimi who
expressed unfamiliarity with the concepts.
Ten individuals have an advanced or more than basic knowledge/experience inland use
plan (LUP) preparation. Seven have basic knowledge on the process while only two, one
from Lalitpur and one from MoLD, are not familiar with the LUP preparation.
All of the respondents have at least a basic understanding on zoning laws as well as the
implementation problems and issues within their area.
Only one (from KMC) is not familiar with the hazards affecting his area.
Almost all of the respondents are familiar with the disaster reduction activities/practices
conducted by their institution or implemented within the valley or their municipality with
the exception of two individuals from KMC who acknowledged that they are not familiar
with those activities.
Almost all of them knew how to use mapping or CAD software. However, one out of three
respondents is not familiar in using disaster reports, in site plans or regional plans.
Four out of five respondents have prior knowledge/experience in preparing municipal or
valley-wide socio-economic-physical profiles for land use plans. Potential participants
coming from the municipalities of Thimi and Lalitpur are not familiar with the
formulation/drafting of a socio-economic-physical profile.
Seventeen out of 19 have knowledge in organizing public meetings, the concept of
stakeholder participation and getting these stakeholders involved in discussing the issues.
Overwhelmingly, 17 out of 18 are knowledgeable with the history of how their respective
municipality and even the valley grew, expanded and the problems that surfaced with its
development. One respondent has an advanced knowledge on that regard.
Sixteen out of 18 respondents have basic to advance knowledge on policy making related
to zoning, building planning, construction (By laws) and implementation. Initially, this
result is a bit surprising as seven respondents earlier indicated that they don‟t have work
experience related to development or land related policy making although all of them at
least have a basic understanding on zoning laws. One can surmise that these seven
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respondents do have knowledge in policy making although they are not utilizing it at work
hence not part of their “work” experience.
3.
Possible Issues that are Interesting during the Training
The broad range of issues the respondents/training participants are interested to tackle during
the conduct of the course include the implementation and enforcement issues on land use
planning, zoning, the building code, and other building by laws in the municipality and valley
areas. Also participants are interested in tackling development issues related to the following:
an aging society, renewable energy, smart growth and project management. The following are
rundown of the issues that the respondents want to look into:
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4.
the importance of risk sensitive land use planning and its implementation in local level
planning;
implementation and enforcement issues on land use planning, zoning, the building code,
and other building by laws in the municipality and valley areas;
lack of land use control and institutional mechanism in Nepal;
mitigation of haphazard settlement;
definition and delineation of land ownership system in Nepal;
relating LUP with the socio-economic life of the inhabitants;
encouraging active participations and creative support from local stakeholders in
implementing land use plans;
lack of awareness regarding the importance of RSLUP at various governmental levels; and
building height limitations.
Delivery of the Blended Training Course
The assessment result (on the access to the internet, commitment to training activities, and
grasp in the English language) is crucial in the conduct of the blended training course.
Seventeen respondents indicated that they have limited to regular internet access and that they
mostly acquire access in their respective work places and/or in their individual houses. For
every training week, one out of two participants can commit only 1-3 hours in the online
training course while two respondents can commit 4-6 hours. The remaining 7 respondents
can participate for 6 hours and above. On the participants‟ commitment to real timediscussions & consultations6 (via Skype) activities, the figures are near identical with that of
the online commitment. However, those who have committed more hours for online activities
have reduced their time commitment for real-time discussions & consultations (via Skype).
Similarly, some who committed less online time increased the time committed for real-time
discussions & consultations (via Skype). All of the participants evaluated themselves as
having good grasp of the English language.
6
Also termed as E-consultation in course map.
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Annex II.
Training Platform Companion
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative
Natural Disaster Risk Management Program
__________________________________________________________
(Name)
__________________________________________________________
(Position)
__________________________________________________________
(Institution)
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ABOUT THE TRAINING PLATFORM COMPANION
This Training Platform Companion compiles all the topics of the course assignments, the
end of course project (ECP), discussion forum sessions (DF), real time (via skype) DFs, and
most of the reading materials found in the Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning Blended
Training Course Online Platform and the corresponding instructions of these activities. It also
provides guidance in accessing the online platform. To aid the participants in using the
document, the following sidebars with specific functions or sections are presented:
Instructions
Assignment Section
End of Course Project Section
Online Discussion Forum
and Real-Time (via skype) Consultation
Required Readings Section
Suggested Reading Section
W1
Week 1 Activity
W2
Week 2 Activity
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W3
W4-6
Week 3 Activity
Weeks 4-6 Activity
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GENERAL CONTENT OF THE BLENDED TRAINING ONLINE AND THE ONLINE
PLATFORM WITH CORRESPONDING INSTRUCTIONS
Course Map
The Course Map serves as participants‟ guide to the general content of the blended training
course. The course content is arranged in a chronological manner with the course activities
sorted in a weekly basis. The participants should be mindful of the duration of these course
activities particularly on the due dates. For example, the first of these activities will be the
Course Introduction which will take place on March 14, 2012 at 3:00PM. This real time
interaction (via Skype) with the participants and the CST in Manila and Kathmandu should
not be missed.
Discussion Forum
The Discussion Forum (DF) board provides a venue for the participants to share ideas and
employ what they have learned from the reading materials and their respective experiences at
work. The forum is under the auspices of the Subject Matter Expert (SME). For every DF, the
SME will posts question(s)/topic one exclusively for participants from the cities and
municipalities and another exclusively for the participants from Valley Ministries and
Departments. The participants are expected to provide at least two responses for every DF.
There are three (3) sets of discussion forum sessions in the training course and the participants
are required to participate all of the Discussion Forums.
Face-to-face Consultation
An Online Consultation in real-time is conducted every Wednesday of the week at 3:00PM
for 4 weeks. These meetings utilizes the skype technology, for the participants and the
training experts of the distant learning course to be able to discuss the course content (e.g.
presentations, readings), provide feedback on the submitted course requirements (e.g.
assignments) and clarify issues (e.g. relating to the End of Course Project).The participants
are required to attend on these consultations.
Group Assignments
This training course has two sets of group assignments. The participants are grouped
according to the institution or local government they belong. For the Assignment 1, the
participants from the cities and municipalities are given a separate set of questions and topics
with that of their fellow participants from the Valley Ministries and Departments. A
questionnaire is provided to the latter to accomplish instead. All the training participants will
answer the questions of Assignment 2. All these group assignments are required. The first
assignment is due on April 1, 2012 while the second is due on April 8, 2012.
End of Course Project
The End of Course Project (ECP), like the assignments, will be addressed by the same set of
groups. The participants are given two weeks to complete and submit their ECPs but starting
on the task in an earlier time is preferred. This major course requirement assesses the
knowledge gained by the participants after four weeks in the training course. The evaluation
of the ECP will be based on the following criteria: i) Use or application of the
contents/learning materials and their coherence, (ii) Clear indication of and reference to the
lessons derived, (iii) Use of critical thinking and depth of analysis, (iv) Substantive and
relevant recommendations.
Required Readings and Suggested Readings
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The training course has two sets of readings, namely; required and suggested readings.
Required readings are mandatory for the RSLUP coursework and thus it is imperative that the
participants will read all of these. This set of readings will also give insights; provide for
methods, tools and information to the participants. It will also help them to be in the loop in
the discussions and assignments. Taking into account the time the participants spent on
training and their respective office workload, a suggested set of reading is provided. The
participants have an option to go over the suggested readings. Reading these will naturally
add the participant‟s stock knowledge on the field of RSLUP.
Latest News
The latest news is an important facility of the platform that is used to send out general
announcements such as tasks and activities and deadlines of the requirements. Therefore,
participants are encouraged to read the latest news section.
File Sharing
This feature of the platform provides a venue for the participants to share articles, interesting
documents, announcement of events and the like in Disaster Risk Management.
CONTACT PERSONS
1. Mr. Jesus Dominic Dizon, Course Administrator
dominicd@emi-megacities.org
2. Ms. Audrey Noeltner, Course Facilitator
audreyn@emi-megacities.org
3. Ms. Elsa Desmaison, Course Facilitator
elsad@emi-megacities.org
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RISK SENSITIVE LAND USE PLANNING BLENDED TRAINING COURSE MAP
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0
PRE-COURSE ACTIVITIES
March 12-18, 2012
Activities:
 Attend Course Introduction on March 14, 2012, 3:00PM
 Update of Personal Profile and Picture from March 12 to 18, 2012
 Submission of Agency Profile due on March 18, 2012
 Familiarization of course tools
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o The Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Dagupan City
o The Production of an Urban Hazardscape in Pakistan
2. Discussion of Disaster Risk Assessment issues within the context of
Kathmandu Valley (using concepts introduced in part 1)
WHERE
WHEN
WHO
Wednesday March 14th,
UNDP#1
Facilities
2012 up of Forum #2 and assignment
3. Follow
ALL 20 Participants,
NSET and EMI team
3pm-5pm
4. Introduction to week 3 readings
E-CONSULTATION
COURSE INTRODUCTION
Course Introduction
Question time
1. Introduction of the EMI team
2. Quick presentation of the participants and theiragencies
1. Groups will be officially assigned
2. Internet platform introduction
Results and follow ups from the
Face- to-Face Meeting
-
The participants will understand
how to access and use the
different
tools
of
the
onlineplatform, using their own
password and identification.
-
The participants will understand
what and how to update their
personal and agency profile.
-
The participants will be familiar
with the course materials.
-
The participants will understand
what they are asked to do for the
upcoming weeks.
3. Personal and agency profile description and guidelines
4. Printed materials of course material presentation(course
material, readings and case studies)
5. Course map introduction
6. ECP (End of Course Project) introduction
7. Week 1 readings presentation
8. Question time
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WEEK 1
INTRODUCTION TO LAND USE PLANNING
March 19-25, 2012
Activities:
 Post answers to the Online Discussion Forum1 from March 19 to 25, 2012
 Group Assignment 1writing from March 19 to 31, 2012
 Attend E- Consultation1 on March 21, 2012, 3:00PM
 Read Required and Suggested Readings for Week 1
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DISCUSSION FORUM # 1
Topic:
FOR MUNICIPALITY/CITY PARTICIPANTS
What natural hazards threaten your city or municipality? For each hazard identified please
describe this threat.
“For example, who or what are threatened? How often does the hazard recur? Does the hazard
pose a challenge towards your area‟s development? Why? How serious is the problem? ”
FOR KATHMANDU VALLEY OFFICIALS AND OFFICERS OF MINISTRY
DEPARTMENTS
What natural hazards threaten Kathmandu Valley? For each hazard identified please describe
this threat.
“In a Valley wide perspective, who or what are threatened in this region? How often does the
hazard recur? Does the hazard pose a challenge towards valley wide development? Why?
How serious is the problem?”
Starting Date for the Discussion Forum is on March 19, 2012.
Last Date for responding or answering the question(s) in the DF is on March 25, 2012.
ASSIGNMENT # 1
Topic:
ASSIGNMENT FOR MUNICIPALITY/CITY
Please answer the following questions reflecting on the situation of your city/ municipality.
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Has your city/municipality been impacted by a disaster? Please identify and describe a
particular disaster.
What was the extent of damage in terms of fatalities, families displaced, private property
lost, and public infrastructure damaged?
What decisions, actions and measures are taken by your city/municipal authorities to
protect people and their properties before, during and after disasters?
In the event the phenomenon reoccurs, or another disaster strikes, how vulnerable are the
city‟s inhabitants? What have you or the city/municipal authorities done or are doing to
minimize future damage to lives and property?
Does your city/municipal authority have a land use plan and a zoning ordinance? Do you
think the vulnerability of your city/municipal population to potential hazards has been
reduced due to the preparation and implementation of these documents?
Due Date for Assignment 1 for Municipality/City is on April 1, 2012.
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ASSIGNMENT FOR KATHMANDU VALLEY OFFICIALS AND MINISTRY AND
DEPARTMENTS OFFICIALS
Kindly fill this up this questionnaire as your Assignment 1 and submit on March 25, 2012.
QUESTIONNAIRE :
Departments
For Kathmandu Valley Officials and Officers of Ministry
Ministry/Department:
Date:
Name of Respondent:
Current Position:
Year and Place of Birth:
Years Served in Current position:
The information gathered through this questionnaire will form part of the inputs for
mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in future KV development and physical
framework plan ( i.e. a regional physical framework plan) which will serve as baseline
information on disaster risk management integration in development plans and land use
plans. You may use additional sheets of paper if you wish to elaborate on your answers.
PART 1. ON HAZARDS, VULNERABILITIES AND RISKS OF THE REGION
ANSWERS
A. HAZARDS , DISASTERS
AND PLANNING
1.) What natural hazards had created a
naturaldisaster in your area? Climate and Water related Hazards
Please check appropriate spaces.
1 droughts____ 2 rain induced landslides_____
3 river floods ____4 strong winds/ cyclones_____ 5 coastal
Disaster is defined as an event surges____
where external assistance is sought 6 Others, pls.specify____________________________________
by the city or municipality from the
valley or district or region when the Earthquake induced hazards
hazard strikes it.
7 Severe ground shaking ______ 8 ground rupture/surface
breaks_____
9 Liquefaction_____ 10 ground expansion________
11 landslide______ 12 Land mass movement______
13 tsunami (giant waves)______
14Others,pls. specify:___________________________________
Volcanic Hazards
15 Lava flow______16 Explosive Eruptions/Tephra falls______
17 Pyroclastic Flows_____18 Lahars______ 19 Debris Avalanche
20 Others, pls.
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specify:____________________________________
Erosion
21 Soil Erosion___22 River Erosion___ 23 Coastal Erosion___
24Others, pls. Specify_________________________
2) Indicate the degree in which your
Ministry/Department/Valley
Planning Office has undertaken the
following
physical
planning
measures. Please check the box
corresponding to the number (or
level) of your answer.
LEVEL- Meanings
1- We have barely accomplished this
2- We have accomplished about
25% of needed action
3- We have accomplished about
50% of the needed action
4- Accomplishment is substantial
(about 75% or more)
MEASURES
1
2
3
4
Identification of suitable areas where 1
settlement growth should be allowed or
encouraged
2
3
4
Delineation of danger zones you have
identified as subject to natural hazards (in
map form)
Demarcation of easements and buffers for
danger zones (marking on ground)
Identification of emergency routes and
temporary relocation sites and evacuation
zones (in map form or identified sites)
Integrated safe areas in local land use and
development plans
Assisted local government units in
enacting legislation in aid of disaster
mitigation
In Sections B to F that follow, use
the LEVELS to rate the condition or Other physical planning actions/measures You have done in
situation in your area. Underlined the Kathmandu Valley: pls. specify here or in another sheet:
texts indicate the action or
accomplishment being measured.
LEVEL- Meanings
1- We have barely accomplished this
2- We have accomplished about
25% of needed action
3- We have accomplished about
50% of the needed action
4- Accomplishment is substantial (
about 75% or more)
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B. ON POLICY ENVIRONMENT AND STRATEGIES
1. The Ministry/Department/Valley Wide government (Your
Office) undertakes disaster risk reduction in a strategic
approach (opposed to ad-hoc basis)
disaster risk reduction (those programs, projects and
activities which reduce losses, damages and disruptions due to
a natural hazard disaster by mitigation and prevention,
preparedness)
2. The Ministry/Department/Valley Wide government (Your
Office) finds relevance and importance in disaster risk
reduction for a) its relief and b) development policy.
3. 3. The Ministry/Department/Valley Wide government
(Your Office) has already recognized the vulnerabilities
which contribute to risk of natural disasters.
vulnerability of person/society ( that is, proneness to
injury, death or in general- a loss)
vulnerability of economy (that is, proneness to damage,
disruption of services or in general- a loss usually in
monetary terms )
vulnerability of infrastructure (that is, proneness to
damage of building, roads, lifelines etc, disruption of
services/utilities or in general- a loss)
vulnerability of environment (that is, proneness to
damage of important life-support systems, water resources,
forests, biodiversity, or in general- a loss )
4. The Ministry/Department/Valley Wide government (Your
Office) has ensured that development programs and
projects do not increase and/or recreate vulnerabilities
mentioned in 3 above.
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LEVEL
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LEVEL
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1
LEVEL
2
LEVEL
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LEVEL
4
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LEVEL
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LEVEL
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LEVEL
4
5. Your Office protects its development programs through
risk reduction strategies in the following manner:
5a.Your Office manages its relief and rehabilitation in a
developmental manner ( as opposed to piecemeal,
reactive response to treat consequences after disaster has
struck)
5b.Your Office finds commitment/ support to carry out
risk reduction measures from the following:
5b1.from Local (Municipal/City) Officials
5b2. From Valley Wide Officials
5b2. National Agencies/ Regional Agencies
C. GEOGRAPHIC PLANNING
1. Your Office has been studying the effect of natural
disaster impacts in its territory (risk assessmentunderstanding the hazards, vulnerabilities and the risks it
poses to the area)
2. Your Office is doing appropriate risk reduction strategies
developed on the basis of the risk assessments done
(understanding hazards and why the Valley is susceptible
to losses, damages, disruptions) and integrated into
geographical plans as a matter of course
3. Your Office seeks the inclusion of the disaster risk
assessment and risk reduction in the sectoral planning
(population, economy, environment, services etc.)
framework of the high risk/ high hazard prone areas.
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D. PROJECT CYCLE MANAGEMENT
LEVEL
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LEVEL
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2
LEVEL
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1. The Ministry/Department/Valley Wide government (Your
Office) incorporates disaster risk reduction measures
within every aspect of the project cycle management in
the following manner:
1a. protects projects from disaster impact
1b. ensures that new projects do not increase
disaster risks or enhance vulnerability
2. The Ministry/Department/Valley Wide government (Your
Office) has a monitoring and evaluation system to inform
project re- design and initial risk assessments.
3. The natural disaster risk reduction programs are linked to
the District, Valley and local (municipality and city)
government development programs, projects, activities.
E. EXTERNAL RELATIONS
1. 1. The Ministry/Department/Valley Wide government
(Your Office) supports, enables and invests in capacity
development for risk reduction and undertakes them in
collaboration with other concerned agencies (as opposed
to acting alone or doing it alone)
2. 2. The Ministry/Department/Valley Wide government
(Your Office) collaborates with other key players and
relevant regional, national, local coordinating and
networking bodies and information, expertise. Resources
are shared as required.
3. 3. The “public face “of the Ministry/Department/Valley
Wide government (Your Office) reflects its disaster risk
reduction policy and strategy.
(agenda for reducing public and private losses, damages,
disruptions from natural hazard events )
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F. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY
LEVEL
1
LEVEL
2
LEVEL
3
LEVEL
4
1. The institutional capacity is sufficient to support all the
key areas A-D outlined above. Consider again, the
following. YO-Your Office
1a.The YO has the financial resources to mainstream
Disaster Risk Reduction measures in its Physical
Framework Plans and Development Plans and Implement
them
1b. Skills and Knowledge (staff continuously receives
training and development, materials and appropriate
technical support)
1c. Strong cross organizational commitment and
ownership of risk reduction policies and strategy at all
levels
2.
There are strong links between/among your Kathmandu
Valley wide Government Offices that complement disaster
risk management efforts ( data/information sharing,
integrated planning and implementation)
3.
Monitoring and evaluation tools are routinely used
independently and comprehensively to assess the
Provincial Government‟s progress with incorporating
natural disaster risk (losses, damages disruptions etc.)
reduction measures
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PART2. ON USE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Please look into the capacities of your Offices. Please check the boxes or spaces provided as it
applies to your Office.
A. USE OF GIS
General
1. Have you used GIS tools to map out vulnerable areas/ populations at risk to the natural hazards?
YES________ NO _________ Pls. check space.
Software related to GIS/computing
8.
Which of the following software packages does your office use? How many licenses
are actually installed?
Length of
usage*
No. of licenses
installed
Version
Most data
stored*
ArcView
ArcGIS
MapInfo
Ilwis
GRASS
IDRISI/Cartalinx
REDAS
AutoCAD MAP/3D
AutoCAD
MS Access
dBase
Excel/Lotus/Calc or similar
software
Others (Please Specify)
* Answers can be a) Less than a year, b) One to three years c) Three to five years; d)
More than five years; e) Not applicable (No software)
B.ON GIS PERSONNEL
3. How many of your personnel staffs are into GIS?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Aware
Familiar/User of maps
User/Operator/Encoder
Analyst/Developer
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
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TOTAL:
_______________
4. What GIS training have they received? (Please check)
Source
Duration
< one day
<a few
days
A few
weeks
Months
Year/s
From vendor
From a training institution/center
From an internal in-house
seminar/training
5. Which of the following GIS functions do your GIS personnel usually perform (check where applicable)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Digitize/encode data
Display maps on screen
Layout/generate maps
Perform some form of spatial analysis/modelling
Programming/Customization
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
Due Date for Assignment 1for Kathmandu Valley Officials and Ministry and Departments
Officials is on April 1, 2012.
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E-CONSULTATION 1
WHEN
WHERE
Wednesday March 21th, 2012
UNDP Facilities
3pm-5pm
WHO
ALL 20 Participants,
NSET and EMI team
The second e-consultation meeting is meant to
discuss the first week readings, assignments and
the content of the discussion forum #1.
1. Overview on Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning

Results and follow ups
from the consultation
Participants will acquire an
enhanced and more
contextual knowledge related
to Land Use Planning.
a. Course material outline
b. Reading materials:
 Kathmandu City RSLUP preparation
 Cities as Sites of Disasters
 Urban Political Approach of Major Hazards
Planning
 Case Study: New Orleans

2. Discussion in regards to the Kathmandu City RSLUP
Preparation (discussed in part 1), between participants
and EMI
3. Follow up of Forum #1
4. Introduction to assignment #1
5. Introduction to week 2 readings
6. Question time
Participants will discuss the
pertinences of the readings
and challenges arising from
the case studies (both in
required and suggested
readings). They will discuss
how those examples can be
applied to Kathmandu Valley
context.

Participants and EMI will
comment on responses posted
in the Discussion Forum.EMI
will redirect the flow of
discussion if needed.

Participants will now know
what is expected from them
for their first team
assignment.
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REQUIRED READINGS FOR WEEK 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
WBI Session 1 Presentation (Separate PowerPoint File)
WBI Session 1 Presentation Transcript
On Kathmandu City RSLUP Preparation
Cities as Sites of Disaster
Risk Sensitive Land-use Planning
Reading
CITIES AS SITES OF DISASTER
Description:
The first part of the article describes major urban trends at working developing countries that
are broadening the exposure of large cities towards risk. The author touches upon notions
such as urbanization and the rising informality, and how such trends are shaping urban
vulnerability in unique contextual aspects. In a second part, it explains the pressuring need to
use a multispectral approach to urban planning, which includes risk reduction measures in all
the various planning steps and levels. What is also interesting in this introduction to risk
management is that the author does not fail to describe the complex problems agencies and
municipalities can face when trying to implement risk management policies.
SUGGESTED READINGS FOR WEEK 1
1. Urban Political Approach of Major Hazard Planning
2. Cities at Risk: Hurricane Katrina and the Drowning of New Orleans
3. Government‟s response to Hurricane Katrina: A public choice analysis
Risk Sensitive Land-use Planning
Reading
Urban Political Approach of Major Hazard Planning
Description:
This article aims to broaden participants‟ knowledge on how the process of risk identification
can be influenced by different stakeholders. The author helps us situate the notion of risk in
the context of political institution sandwiched between political agendas and urban planning
public policies. The paper makes references to French cities, where various stakeholders with
personal interests and professional security have defined what is considered to be a risk or
not.
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Risk Sensitive Land-use Planning
Case Study
CITIES AT RISK: HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE DROWNING OF NEW
ORLEANS
Description:
This case study shades lights on the government role in the hurricane Katrina disaster in New
Orleans. This very interesting article notes the crucial importance of communication and
coordination in disaster management. It is also important to underline that the author
concludes on the fact that a more regional planning scheme will be more adequate in facing
disaster management in the case of New Orleans, just as KVTDC is currently achieving in its
RSLUP regional plan.
Risk Sensitive Land-use Planning
Case Study
GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA: A PUBLIC CHOICE
ANALYSIS
Description:
This second case study, describes the infrastructural, environmental and social aspects that
have made New Orleans so vulnerable to natural disasters. Those contextual factors can often
be compared to similar factors found in many other large cities, both in low and higher
income countries. Furthermore, the author argues that the failure of protecting New Orleans is
rooted in deep political and self-interest motivations from stakeholders, from both the public
and the private sector, resulting in the failure to provide a coherent and coordinated pre/during
and post management of the particular event of hurricane Katrina. It concludes on the
importance notion of building resilient communities that will be able to assess and manage
the unique risks facing them.
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WEEK 2
DISASTER RISK ASSESSMENT
March 26-April 1, 2012
Activities:
 Post answers to the Online Discussion Forum 2 from March 26 to April 1, 2012
 Submit Group Assignment 1 due on April 1, 2012
 Attend E- Consultation2 on March 28, 2012, 3:00PM
 Read Required and Suggested Readings for Week 2
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DISCUSSION FORUM # 2
Topic:
FOR MUNICIPALITY/CITY PARTICIPANTS
In view of the hazards mentioned, describe the numbers and conditions of those at risk, as
well as, current development policies, programs, projects, activities or practices that make
your city or municipality vulnerable to disasters?
“You may discuss exposure of people or objects in terms of numbers, concentration, their
location and current condition (ex. density of buildings, density of population, quality of
structures, etc.). You may also describe economic activities affected, resources affected (ex.
agriculture, forests, and water resource) based on their location and qualities which make
them prone to damage.”
FOR KATHMANDU VALLEY OFFICIALS AND OFFICERS OF MINISTRY
DEPARTMENTS
In view of the hazards mentioned and in a Kathmandu Valley wide perspective, describe the
numbers and conditions of those at risk, as well as, current development policies, programs,
projects, activities or practices that make the Valley vulnerable to disasters?
“You may discuss exposure of people or objects in terms of numbers, concentration, their
location and current condition (ex. density of buildings, density of population, quality of
structures, etc.). You may also describe economic activities affected, resources affected (ex.
agriculture, forests, and water resource) based on their location and qualities which make
them prone to damage. You may describe development trends which make the Valley at risk
to disasters”
Starting Date for the Discussion Forum is on March 26, 2012.
Last Date for responding or answering the question(s) in the DF is on April 1, 2012.
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E-CONSULTATION 2
WHEN
WHERE
WHO
Wednesday March 28th, 2012
UNDP Facilities
3pm-5pm
ALL 20 Participants,
NSET and EMI team
The third e-consultation meeting is meant to
discuss the second week readings, assignments
and the content of the discussion forum #2.
1. Overview of Disaster Risk Assessment concept

a. Course material outline
b. Readings materials




Rise in Urban Vulnerabilities and Risk
Social Vulnerability in the City
Cities, Disasters and Livelihood
Case studies:
o Disaster Master Plan for Earthquake Risk
Reduction and Mitigation in Istanbul



Participants will acquire an
enhanced and more
contextual knowledge
related to disaster risk
assessment.
Participants will discuss the
pertinences of the readings
and challenges arising from
the case studies (both in
required and suggested
readings). They will discuss
how those examples can be
applied to Kathmandu
Valley context.
Participants and EMI will
comment on responses
posted in the Discussion
Forum .EMI will redirect
the flow of discussion if
needed.
Participants will now know
what is expected from them
for the following week.
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REQUIRED READINGS FOR WEEK 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
WBI Session 2 Presentation (Separate PowerPoint File)
WBI Session 2 Presentation Transcript
Rise in Urban Vulnerabilities and Risks
Social Vulnerability in the City
Disaster Master Plan for Earthquake Risk Reduction and Mitigation in Istanbul
The Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Dagupan City
Risk Sensitive Land-use Planning
Reading
SOCIAL VULNERABILITY IN THE CITY
Description:
This reading argues that the rapid social changes in the urban setting are creating a fragile
environment, which engenders grander human vulnerability towards natural and man-made
risks. The article particularly touches upon the notion of social capital and social structure,
and how they can influence the level of vulnerability and resilience of individuals. In its
conclusion the author urges for a political intervention at the local level, which can efficiently
tackles pressuring issues that will be able to decrease the vulnerability levels of individuals.
SUGGESTED READINGS FOR WEEK 2
1. The Production of an Urban Hazardscape in Pakistan: Modernity, Vulnerability, and the
Range of Choice
2. Cities, Disasters and Livelihood
3. Himalayan Seismic Hazard
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Risk Sensitive Land-use Planning
Case Study
THE PRODUCTION OF AN URBAN HAZARDSCAPEIN PAKISTAN:
MODERNITY, VULNERABILITY, ANDTHE RANGE OF CHOICE
Description:
The reading introduces the notion of “hazardscape”, where visions of a disaster impacts and
its solutions varies greatly between personal and technocratic perspective. Supporting his
theory with examples on flooding events in Pakistan, the author demonstrates how the range
of choices in dealing with flood hazard greatly differs from those of victims of flood and the
policy makers. Therefore pressuring the need of public participation in risk reduction
measures in order to incorporate local knowledge to engineering expertise and to combine the
lived experiences and technocratic view on flooding experiences and management.
Furthermore the case study applies the notion of exposure and vulnerability into concrete
examples related to flood management.
Risk Sensitive Land-use Planning
Case Study
CITIES, DISASTERS AND LIVELIHOOD
Description:
The reading raises awareness on the influence of international NGOs in risk management
programs. Through concrete examples the author demonstrates the crucial need to incorporate
risk disaster management in urban planning policies in a sustainable process. It emphasizes on
the need to move from a disaster response approaches to a mitigation approach, within both
local communities and international organizations. It also reiterates the strong correlation
between urban vulnerability (social, economical, institutional and cultural aspects) and the
severity on disasters, leading to an integrated aspect of urban disaster, especially in the
context of informal settlements environments and community participation.
Risk Sensitive Land-use Planning
Short Article
HIMALAYAN SEISMIC HAZARD
Description:
This scientific article demonstrates the vulnerable geographical location of Kathmandu in
regards to seismic activities.
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WEEK 3
RISK MANAGEMENT
April2-8, 2012
Activities:
 Post answers to the Online Discussion Forum 3 from April 2 to 8, 2012
 Group Assignment 2writing from April 2 to 8, 2012
 Submit Group Assignment 2 due on April 8, 2012
 Attend E- Consultation3 on April 4, 2012, 3:00PM
 Read Required and Suggested Readings for Week 3
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DISCUSSION FORUM # 3
Topic:
FOR MUNICIPALITY/CITY PARTICIPANTS
What are the benefits of a risk sensitive land use plan?
FOR KATHMANDU VALLEY OFFICIALS AND OFFICERS OF MINISTRY
DEPARTMENTS
What are the benefits of a Valley wide (regional) risk sensitive development and physical
framework (or land use) plan?
Starting Date for the Discussion Forum is on April 2, 2012.
Last Date for responding or answering the question in the DF is on April 8, 2012.
ASSIGNMENT # 2
Based on the reading, entitled “On Kathmandu City RSLUP Preparation”, describe the ease or
difficulty of the following: a) preparing a risk assessment (flood and seismic) and b)
integrating assessment results in the land use planning decision processes.
To help you organize your thought, the following questions may help. The write up should be
no more than 5 pages.
Topic
DISASTER RISK ASSESSMENT
 Which agencies or departments are mandated to prepare or facilitate preparation of a seismic
risk assessment? (They may be from ministry level, KV level or local level or a combination).
Please explain.
 Which agencies or departments are mandated to prepare or facilitate preparation of a flood
risk assessment? (They may be from ministry level, KV level or local level or a combination).
Please explain.
 What difficulties do you think would be encountered by your office in preparing or
interpreting a seismic risk or a flood risk assessment?
For example, these may be about availability of data or information, coordination among
agencies, technical expertise, etc.
LAND USE PLANNING (GENERAL PLANNING STEPS)
Consider the step-by-step process shown and described in the mainstreaming framework
figure. For each step, reflect on the ease or difficulty in performing each step.
Institution:

Is there a working group mandated by law to organize land use planning process? Please
elaborate.
 If not, who do you think should take lead in preparing or facilitating the land use plan?
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
Are there difficulties in organizing agencies or departments in preparing a land use plan?
What are they?
Process:
For each step of the process in plan formulation:

Is this step easy to do? If yes, what should be done for this step?
 Or is this step difficult to do? If yes, what aspect(s) of this step make it difficult to do and
why?
Outputs:

What do you think should a future land use plan for your municipality (or City or Valley)
focus on? Please explain.
 What land related conflicts in your study area should be addressed or given solution in the
land use plan? Please explain
Mainstreaming Activities
Advocacy and Technical Work:

Based on your understanding of the mainstreaming activities, please describe for your
area, the possible activities that should be done.
 What mainstreaming activities do you think are easy or difficult to perform and why?
Due Date for Assignment 2 is on April 8, 2012.
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E-CONSULTATION 3
WHEN
WHERE
WHO
Wednesday April 4th, 2012
UNDP Facilities
3pm-5pm
ALL 20 Participants,
NSET and EMI team
The fourth online-real time meeting is meant to
discuss the third week readings, assignments and
the content of the discussion forum #3.
1. Overview of Mainstreaming concepts
a. Course materials outline
Results and follow ups
from the consultation
b. Reading materials






Land Use Planning and Disaster Risk
Reduction
Key Elements of Flood Disaster Management
Sustainable Urban Land Use Planning and
Management for Developing Countries
Integrating Risk Reduction to the Land Use
Planning Process
Case studies:
o DRR in Makati
o Fault Zoning in Muntinlupa
o LUP in Dhaka
2. Discussion of Mainstreaming issues within the context
of Kathmandu Valley(using concepts discussed in part
1)


3. Follow up of Forum #3

4. Introduction to assignment #2
Participants should acquire
an enhanced and more
contextual knowledge
related to mainstreaming
issues.
Participants will discuss
the pertinence of the
readings and challenges
arising from the case
studies (both in required
and suggested readings).
They will discuss how
those examples can be
applied to Kathmandu
Valley context.
Participants and EMI will
comment on responses
posted in the Discussion
Forum .EMI will redirect
the flow of discussion if
needed.
Participants will now
know what is expected
from them for their
assignment # 2.
5. Question time
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REQUIRED READINGS FOR WEEK 3
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
WBI Session 3 Presentation (Separate PowerPoint File)
WBI Session 3 Presentation Transcript
Land Use Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction
Key Elements of Flood Disaster Management
Sustainable Urban Land Use Planning and Management for Developing Countries
Integrating Risk Reduction to the Land Use Planning Process
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SUGGESTED READINGS FOR WEEK 3
10. Disaster Risk Reduction of Highly Vulnerable Urban Areas through Urban ReDevelopment Case Study of Barangay Rizal, Makati, Philippines
11. The Case of Fault Zoning in the City of Muntinlupa Philippines
12. LUP for Flood Mitigation in Dhaka City Using Remote Sensing and GIS
RISK SENSITIVE LAND-USE PLANNING
Case Study
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION OF HIGHLY VULNERABLE URBAN AREAS
THROUGH URBAN RE-DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY OF BARANGAY RIZAL,
MAKATI, PHILIPPINES
Description:
This reading describes the redevelopment framework and process of the Barangay Rizal, in
Makati City, Metro Manila. The project, a venture of EMI, Makati City Government,
Barangay representatives and Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
(PHIVOLCS) and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (FFO) through the German
Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) aims at mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction
(DRR) in both Land Use Planning (LUP) and redevelopments in an area highly exposed to
earthquake hazards. The purpose of this 10-year plan is to reduce the physical, social and
economical vulnerability of the Barangay Rizal, while improving the disaster emergency
management. It is an example of risk sensitive redevelopment where participatory approach
of the different stakeholders is highly valued.
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WEEKS 4-6
April9-29, 2012
ACTIVITIES:
 Write Group End of Course Project from April 9 to 21, 2012
 Submit End of Course Project Outline due on April 15, 2012
 Attend E- Consultation4 on April 11, 2012, 3:00PM
 Submit End of Course Project due on April 22, 2012
 Presentation of Group End of Course Project on April 29, 2012
 Attend Face-to-face Training on April 24, 2012
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E-CONSULTATION 4
WHEN
WHERE
Wednesday April 11th, 2012
WHO
UNDP Facilities
ALL 20 Participants,
NSET and EMI team
3pm-5pm
The face-to-face meeting is meant to conclude
the course and discuss the End of Course Project
(ECP).
Results and follow ups from
the consultation

1. Follow up of Forum #3 and assignment #2
2. Concluding remarks of the course

a. What participants should get from the e-RSLUP class
b. What they have learned that can be used for the
Kathmandu Valley RSLUP
3. Course evaluation
4. Introduction to ECP


Participants should have
acquired an extensive
knowledge of all the
issues related to RSLUP.
Participants will
summarize the pertinences
of the discussions and the
readings from the course.
Participants will evaluate
the course.
Participants will now
know what is expected
from them for their End of
Course Project.
a. Content guidelines
b. Tips on how to complete the ECP
c. Deadline
5. Question time
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END OF COURSE PROJECT
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF A SELECTED LAND USE PLAN
The objective of this project is to utilize the new knowledge on mitigating the impact of
natural disaster by applying the tools and methods provided by land use planning. The task is
to evaluate an actual land use plan document and determine whether and to what extent the
plan is responsive to the concerns of disaster risk reduction (DRR).
To prepare the End of Course Project please follow the steps below:
Step 1
Select an existing land use plan of your city or municipality. If your local government/region
does not have one, get one that is most accessible to you, or choose a locality where you have
first-hand knowledge.
Step 2
Read the document carefully, select the themes where disaster risk reduction concerns are or
should be integrated, as you have learned in the course.
Step 3
Prepare the End of Course Project. The paper should consist of two parts. Part 1 should
summarize the result of the analytical phase and Part 2 should focus on recommendations to
improve the selected land use plan.
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STRUCTURE OF THE ECP PAPER
Part 1:
Based on your knowledge of the locality, provide in depth analysis how responsive the land
use plan is to DRR concerns. Focus on the following aspects of the land use plan:




Data. Please assess the data base used to prepare the plan. For example how comprehensive
the coverage was, i.e. whether it included hazard maps and vulnerability indicators. Also
comment on whether the analytical techniques used to arrive at development issues and
decision zones were appropriate.
Goals. Evaluate the main objectives identified in the plan. Please reference on the indicators
linked to the objectives.
Spatial strategies. Look at how the preferred urban form was selected, for example whether
there were alternatives to select from, sensitivity of alternatives to potential hazards and
vulnerabilities?
Policies formulated. Are there explicit policies on different land use categories? Are these
policies transformed into specific provisions of the zoning ordinance?
Part 2:
Discuss your proposed approach to improve the substance of the plan and the process of
preparing an improved, disaster risk-sensitive land use plan for the locality you have chosen.
The paper should not exceed 10 pages.
Last date of submission of the ECP will be on April 22, 2012.
The ECP outline is due on April 15, 2012 but earlier submission is preferred.
The participants will present their respective ECPs on Week 6, scheduled between April
23-29, 2012.
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RISK SENSITIVE LAND USE PLANNING FRAMEWORK
DRA
PROCESS
MAINSTREAMIN
G ACTIVITIES
Hazard
Assessment
Vulnerability/Risk
Assessment
Mobilization of
Stakeholders
Awareness &
Educational
Campaigns to explain
the DRA and
Mainstreaming in
Land Use Plans
GENERAL PLANNING
PROCESS
Data Collection &
Inventory/Analysis
Setting the RSLUP Vision
Goals/Objective
Setting
Emergency
Management
NEXT STEPS
Plan Adoption and
Legitimization/
Implementation/
Enforcement
Monitoring/
Feedback
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Generation of Alternative
Strategies/ Evaluation &
Selection of Preferred
Strategy
Detailing and
Refinement of Preferred
Strategy
Formulating Policies &
Implementation Tools
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Annex III. Training Evaluation Form
RSLUP Blended Training Course
Evaluation Form
Please help us improve the delivery and administration of our online courses by filling-up
the Course Evaluation Form below. We appreciate your comments and
feedback. Thank you very much.
Name:
____________________________________________________________
________________
Job Title/ Position:
____________________________________________________________
______
Agency:
____________________________________________________________
_______________
Department:
____________________________________________________________
___________
Instruction: Kindly choose the answer that best represents your evaluation of the activity by
putting an “x” mark on the appropriate box.
SD-strongly disagree D- disagree N-neutral A-Agree SA-Strongly Agree
PART I: Course Content
SA
SD
D
N
1. The course objectives were clearly stated at the beginning of the course.
2. The reading materials are up-to date.
3. The content is very useful for my professional practice.
4. The following course modules are very useful in relation to my work/functions. (Tick all
possible answers)
Module 1: Introduction to Land Use Planning
Module 2: Disaster Risk Assessment
Module 3: Risk Management
5. What topics and information do you want to include in the RSLUP course
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__________________________________________________________________________________________
PART II: Course Delivery
SD D
1.
The Subject Matter Expert addressed all questions and comments clearly.
2.
The facilitator encouraged active participation in the discussions.
3.
The Course Support Team was mindful of the different level of skills,
N
A
SA
knowledge and values of the participants.
4.
In what other ways do you think can we improve the delivery and facilitation of the course?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
PART III: Course Platform
SD-strongly disagree
D- disagree
N-neutral
A-Agree
SA-Strongly Agree
SD D
1.
N
A
The layout, design and overall appearance of the platform
is commendable.
2.
I could easily navigate through the online platform and its features
3.
The readings and slide casts were easy to access
4.
Which among the following platform features have been useful to you in the course.
Latest News
Discussion Forum
Calendar
Personal Messaging
File Sharing
5.
What other features do you want to include in the platform?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
PART IV: Self Evaluation
1.
How many sessions were you able to attend? Mark only one.
All of it (that is, all sessions)
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Most of it (but not all sessions)
Half or less of it (half of the sessions)
SD D
2.
I have performed well in this course.
3.
The online course lived up to my expectations.
4.
I have acquired new and useful information in this course.
5.
The topics provided are what I specifically need to learn.
6.
This course is relevant to my current work or function.
N
A
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Annex IV. Briefing on the Closing Ceremony of E-Learning Training Course
The e-learning training course was finally ended with a closing ceremony on April29, 2012. It
was divided into five segments namely opening session, participant‟s presentation followed
by discussions, participants‟ reflections, key note presentations and closing remarks without
any formal opening.
Schedule of the Program
Time
Activity
Lead Persons
2:00 – 2:30
Registration/Tea
2:30 – 2:45
Welcome
Opening:
Chief Guest : Chief of KVDA
Chair: Dr. Mahendra Subba, Joint Secretary, MOPPW
Guest: UNDP Mr. Man Bahadur Thapa, program manager
CDRMP.
Guest: Mr. Suresh Prakash Acharya, Joint Secretary KVDA
Guest: DG Ashok Nath Upreti, Director General, DUDBC
Guest: Mr. Reshmi Raj Pandey, Joint Secretary,
MLD
Welcome Remarks by UNDP Mr. Man Bahadur
Thapa.
UNDP
2:45 – 3:00
Summary; Reflection from e- learning course.
Process Taken for the RSLUP Blended Training Course
Mr. Naresh Giri, UNDP
Dr. Renan, EMI
Mr. Surya B. Sangachhe, NSET
UNDP, EMI, NSET,
3:00 – 3:45
Presentation on ECP (Main Points) by Municipalities
Participants
(KMC, Lalitpur and
Madhyapur / Bhaktapur)
3:45 – 4:15
Presentation on ECP (Main Points) by Government agencies
Participants
(MPPW,
DUDBC, KVDA)
4.15-4.25
Observation on e learning from 2 participants
Participants KMC. and
DUDBC
4.25-4.45
Graduation (handing of certificates)
Group picture
NSET, UNDP
4.45-5.00
KV Long-term Development Concept Plan 2002
Suresh Acharya from
KVDA
5.00-5.45
Kathmandu Valley Framework
EMI,NSET
5.45 – 6.15
Address by Chief Guest
Closing remarks by Chair
6.15-7.30
Dinner
Welcome and Opening Session
High Level Officials from the central government like MPPW, MOLD, KVDA, Civil Society
organizations and UN System were present in the welcome and opening session. To make it
very brief and informal, four officials addressed the session. Highlights of the session are
discussed below.
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
The workshop started with the key note speech by Mr. Man Bahadur Thapa, Program
Manager, Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Program (CDRMP), of UNDP. He
gave a brief introduction of CDRMP and stated that Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning
(RSLUP) and Building Code Implementation (BCI) are one of the 6important activities of
the project. He highlighted the objective of the training and rationale of having such
training. Mr. Thapa stressed that training is successful in real sense when the theoretical
knowledge gained in the training is applied to the daily works. Development of
Kathmandu Valley RSLUP framework which is a major outcome of the project would
definitely help other municipalities in understanding and preparing RSLUP in their
municipalities.
 Mr. Naresh Giri, program officer, CDRMP, reflected the process of e-learning training
course as a whole covering background, objective, participants, modality, timing, and
course content.
 Dr. Renan from EMI further presented the content of the training in more detail. He
presented the activities of the participants (face-to face discussions, forum discussions,
doing and reflecting on assigned readings, completing the end of course project and
presentations) to reinforce their understanding on risk sensitive planning.
 Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, Senior Technical Advisor of NSET and Project Manager of KVFramework addressing the session elaborated the training process. He said that the
program is very useful and needs to be continued to other technical personnel of Ministries
and Municipalities as well.
Participant’s Presentation and Discussions
There were four presentation all together representing two types of organizations;
Government Agencies and Municipalities. These were basically the End of Course Project
(ECP) Presentation. The presenters made the presentations on the following topics.
 Land Use Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction in Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City –
(Niyam Maharjan, MLD/LGCDP).The presentation talked the background of LSMC, its
urban growth trends with its associated risks and the need for a new approach of planning
and managing the city. Then it tried to integrate disaster risks in the existing land use plan
there by making it risk sensitive. This RSLUP of LSMC was envisioned as an important
outcome of the periodic plan which is in the process of preparation with a conviction that
any development works and land use plan should be risk sensitive for effective disaster
risk management of the city.
 RSLUP in Manohara - (Bir Bahadur Khadka, KMC).The presentation was focused on
Manohara River side land pooling project specific site and making it a risk sensitive one
from three primary hazards namely earthquake, flood and health hazard due to river
pollution. It came up with recommendations.
 Making Madhapur Thimi Municipality‟s Existing Land Use Plan into Risk Sensitive (Rawindra Shrestha, MTM).The presentation described the disaster risks of all types of
hazards with gaps in the existing land use plan of the municipality. It further illustrated the
other policies and plans and finally highlighted the strategies to overcome the gaps
eventually making it RSLUP.
 Mitigating the Disaster Risk of the Kathmandu Valley- (Ramita Shrestha, DUDBC). This
presentation was quite broad in terms of area coverage and covered the valley level
perspective. It talked about not only the natural disaster but also manmade disaster and
potential risks. It stressed the need of RSLUP at valley level as a preparedness tool and
recommended various activities at different level.
The floor was then opened for discussion on the presentations, e-learning training as a
whole and recommendations for the future works in developing KV-RSLUP framework.
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The invitees as well as the participants raised concerns on various aspects as well as
pointed out various areas to be addressed to make progress in RSLUP. The discussions are
summarized as follows:






Rudra Gautam – National Building Code Implementation is very weak in all
municipalities. One of the reasons is ineffective supervision due to inadequate technical
human resources. Hence outsourcing could be one of the solutions. Another may be
tagging the building by „safe building‟ certificate. If this can be done officially by
developing certain mechanism, people will be encouraged to follow BC to feel the
difference.
Uttar Regmi – Building Code is not implemented in true sense even in Kathmandu.
MOLD should come up with more stringent rules to make municipality more responsible.
At present MOLD requires reporting from municipality about their activities. However,
there is nothing it can do if the municipality does not provide any.
Mahendra Subba – In LUP, all the risks need to be mapped properly and all the
presentation did not have map. Different hazards have different effects. Intensity of
earthquake, flood and others has to be in mapping. Planning is allocation of space which is
to be guided by certain standards and guidelines as management tools.
Surya Bhakta Sangachhe – The presentations were not the outcome of 6 weeks training but
one of the assignments of the training and of just 3 days work. The training has definitely
covered hazard mapping, overlaying it with the existing trend and further actions.
Hari Darshan –The issue of open space is coming continuously which is good for shelter
in post disaster situation. But rescue roads are also important and there is also a need to
identify roads which can be used as evacuation road to post disaster shelter camp.
Moreover, hazard mapping in schools and hospitals further requires institutionalization
and a systematic approach. Hence capacity also needs to be mapped.
Sunil Babu Shrestha – Our Building Code is focused on earthquake risk. BCI is not only
making building safe from earthquake, but also deals with other aspects such as electricity
and fire at building level and more broadly at planning level. Moreover, RSLUP is even
broader than just Building code implementation. Hence much more needs to be considered
in RSLUP. Furthermore, planning needs to be tied up with functional and multifunctional
aspects also. For example a park at present may be used as shelter camp during disaster.
Participants’ Reflections
Two of the training participants reflected their observations of the e-learning training course:

Mr. Uttar Regmi from KMC and shared that there was a bit hesitation towards e-learning
before the training as it was a new concept in Nepal. But the continuous interactions on the
process and the need and importance of the subject matter helped KMC to collaborate in
the training. The training in deed was very useful in many respects in terms of time and
content and all have benefited from it. It may not give the result immediately as much
more is still to be done. He further added that single training is not adequate to build the
capacity of KMC and other municipalities. He requested the organizers to continue
conduct such trainings in future to more technicians. He further added RSLUP also needs
to be incorporated in course design in academic institutions. Similarly, involvement of
private sector in monitoring the BCI, new tools of mitigating disaster risk such as urban
regeneration are also necessary to speed the process. By all this we can contribute
significantly in making safer community.
 Mr. Deepak Shrestha from DUDBC expressed that this training was a new learning
experience as it was different from the conventional training in terms of modality and
time. He appreciated the study materials that were provided in various formats and
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logistics during training period. He also suggested few points to make the training more
effective such as inclusion of more recent articles, improvement of visual quality,
inclusion of risk assessment in the content of the training itself, consideration of RSLUP in
Master degree Course of Planning in Academic institutions, extension of the training in
other parts of the country.
Key Note Presentations
There were two other important presentations apart from the participant‟s presentations in the
closing ceremony:
KV 2020 in perspective of KVDA by Suresh Prakash Acharya – Mr. Aharya highlighted
the linkage between KV Plan 2020, a development plan for the Kathmandu Valley
prepared in 2002 and newly formed KVDA, an institutional arrangement for the
development of the valley. He explained that KVDA is not a new set up but it has a strong
base in KV Plan 2020 as an institutional arrangement. KV plan 2020 had envisioned
Kathmandu Valley as one planning unit and Valley Authority as an institutional
framework. However, he stressed on the need to update the long term vision of KV plan
2020 by incorporating disaster risks.
 KV-RSLUP framework by Dr. Renan- In summary, the presentation highlighted the
continuing disasters in Kathmandu and that the KV Plan 2020 did not address the
particular hazards and risks in detail. However, the policies and strategies opted for the
sustainable development of KV in the different land use policy areas: settlements,
production, protection, and infrastructural uses were found to be supportive of risk
reduction efforts. The development policies and strategies were strongly cored on five
proactive policies in keeping an orderly, safe, and balanced built and un-built
environment:

o
o
o
o
o
Environmental Protection and Management,
Better Urban Planning and Safer Urban Expansion and Management,
Better Enforcement of Building Codes and Bye Laws,
Better Calamity Mitigation, and
Improving Institutional Capacities for Planning and Enforcement.
The following recommendations were given in the presentation.
Hazards Information
One important parameter that the KV Plan 2020 has yet to incorporate is the hazard risk
information that may guide urban expansion. New environmentally constrained areas may
need to be mapped as a result of the new information. Interviews and surveys with members
of Kathmandu Valley Development Administration7 (KVDA), NSET, MoPPW, and MoLD
already pointed the following as necessary for updating the KV Plan 2020, among others:

The disaster prone areas should be shown clearly in KV Plans;
 Physical infrastructure must be able to mitigate the effect of disasters;
7
Formerly the Kathmandu Valley Town and Development Committee
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




Areas for rescue and relief need to be identified and protected;
Areas for future expansion of infrastructure need to be designated;
Open spaces must be defined;
Conflicts in sensitive areas (ex. encroachment in sensitive areas) must be identified and
addressed;
Integration of KV Plan with Local Periodic Plans;
Within the Kathmandu Valley, the risk reduction and emergency management actions that
municipalities, Village Development Committees (VDC), sub-metropolitan and metropolitan
area will need to undertake shall depend on the identified risks and their severity.
Risk Sensitive Physical Framework and Process
The detailing and refinement into a physical framework plan have yet to be continued. Both
framework and process for this refinement have not been formulated. The following activities
must be included in the planning process:





Utilizing hazard maps and disaster risk information as constraints to urban expansion areas
(ex. exclusion areas, or development areas with use restrictions and control);
Having appropriately scaled hazard maps and disaster risk information to aid in detailed
zoning (ex. municipal level (1:10:000);
Inclusion and review of current programs, projects and activities in the components spatial
plans for Valley wide arrangements
Inclusion of spatial components of risk management options and climate change
adaptation strategies relevant to the Valley;
A guiding framework to aid in the process of mainstreaming hazard, vulnerability and risk
assessment in KV physical framework.
A framework and process for mainstreaming DRR and CCA in land use planning and towards
implementation were explained in the presentation.
KV Level Committee to Manage and Communicate Hazard Risk Information
The generation of hazard and risk information, their integration in plans, and evaluations may
require a technical working group at the KV level to carry them out. These tasks are left unanswered in the KV plan and must be addressed:

Hazard risks and climate change related risk assessments preparation (new or updated);
Interpretation and simplification of the assessments;
 Advocacy for awareness and better understanding of the following disaster risks, climate
change risks and environmental management, rural and urban land use management,
climate proofing of structures, community preparedness, and implications to economic and
social development;
 Coordination and engagement of hazard (mandated) related agencies (ex. Department of
Mines and Geology (DMG), Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention(DWIDP))
scientific organizations, and academe towards hazard and risk information interpretations,
validation and further research;
 Preparation of simplified guidelines for mainstreaming disaster risk management (DRM)
and climate change adaptation (CCA) in KV Plan formulation and implementation at
valley level;

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
Explanation to Local and Valley level officials about the hazards and risks and ensuring
that decision makers are aware of and understand the essential characteristics of hazards
and risks and their implications to the development thrusts pursued;
 Consolidation and taking responsibility over these hazard risk data; translating these into
popular language and disseminating the knowledge through various channels of
communication;
 Engaging KVDA, MoLD, MoPPW, district government and disaster management units
into a risk sensitive valley-wide development and physical framework and that shared
solutions to risk reduction are taken by municipalities, cities and VDCs; and,
 Engaging municipalities, VDCs, districts to prepare risk sensitive periodic plans and
physical development plans and land use plans, which will implement the KV physical
framework and development objectives.
Wrap Up and Closing Session
The wrap up and closing session concluded in brief and in a very informal way. Joint
Secretary of MPPW, Mr. Mahendra Subba distributed the certificate to the participants of elearning training Course. He further shared the following observations on the training course
as well as the presentations of the participants.
Mr. Subba, in his closing remarks appreciated the initiatives taken by the UNDP in this
endeavor of RSLUP and thanked NSET and EMI for the excellent job and the work on the
vital issue. Regarding the training course and presentations he expressed that planning is not
alone technical but it is also selling ideas. He further advised to make it simple so that one can
communicate easily and convince the non-technical people including ministers, secretary,
NPC members in daily work life. The subject has initiated a debate and we have to be very
careful in considering mitigation measures. He also stressed on institutionalization aspect for
effective implementation of the plan and reminded many previous plans which remained just
idle. He further added on need to develop a mechanism for institutionalization. He advised
that integrating in the periodic plan and incorporating in the annual budget and program could
be some of them to internalize the issue. Lastly congratulating the participants of the training,
he requested all the participants to work on those directions.
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Annex V.
Framework for Making KV Development Concept Risk Sensitive
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KVTDC
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Annex VI. Photographs of the Closing Ceremony
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Annex 3: Delivarable 3: Framework for Making
Kathmandu Valley Development Concept
Plan Risk Sensitive
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Technical Services for Strengthening
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and
Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal
Delivarable 3: Framework for Making Kathmandu Valley
Development Concept Plan Risk Sensitive
Submitted to:
UNDP Nepal
-
Prepared by:
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative
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Technology-Nepal (NSET)
May 29, 2012
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Annex 3:
Framework for Making Kathmandu Valley Development
Concept Plan Risk Sensitive ..................................................... 354
Acknowledgement .......................................................................................................... 358
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ 359
3.1
Rationale ................................................................................................... 362
3.2
Hazard Events Threatening the Kathmandu Valley .................................... 363
3.3
3.2.1
General Hazards and Associated Risks ......................................................363
3.2.2
Climate Change and Variability Impacts to Urban Settlements and
Infrastructure ................................................................................................369
Vulnerability of Kathmandu Valley to Disasters .......................................... 370
3.3.1
Population and Social Aspects ....................................................................370
3.3.2
Building, Infrastructure & Transport related .................................................373
3.4
Current State of Disaster Preparedness ..................................................... 374
3.5
Proactive Policies in KV Plan ..................................................................... 374
3.6
The Framework for Making Kathmandu Valley Development Concept Plan
Risk Sensitive ............................................................................................ 379
3.7
Focus of this Intervention: The Kathmandu Valley Development Concept Plan
.................................................................................................................. 382
3.8
Assessing hazard information .................................................................... 385
3.9
Enhancing the Capacity of the Valley Planning Structure ........................... 387
3.9.1
DRM-sensitive Kathmandu Valley Planning Structure.................................387
3.10
On KV Plan and Planning Processes as Risk Sensitive ............................. 387
3.11
Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning Processes ............................................ 396
3.12
Toward DRR related Implementation Tools................................................ 398
3.13
References ................................................................................................ 401
3.14
Electronic Sources ..................................................................................... 403
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FIGURES
Figure 3.1:
Figure 3.2:
Figure 3.3:
Figure 3.4:
Figure 3.5:
Geographic Distribution of Recent Major Disasters .................................... 362
Figure 2: Location Map .............................................................................. 363
Epicentral Distribution around Nepal, 1255 to 2001 ................................... 365
Framework for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (EMI, copyright) ... 380
Identified Planning System at KV level ....................................................... 383
TABLES
Table 3.1:
Table 3.2:
Table 3.3:
Table 3.4:
Table 3.5:
Table 3.6:
Table 3.7:
Magnitude-Frequency Data on Earthquakes in Nepal and the Surrounding
Region (1911-1991) ................................................................................... 364
Frequency and Various levels of earthquake intensities in Kathmandu since
1800 A.D .................................................................................................... 364
Losses due to Earthquake in Kathmandu Valley,1971-2011 ...................... 366
Loss estimation figures for mid-Nepal Earthquake (intensity IX MMI) ......... 366
Losses due to flood and lanslide in Kathmandu Valley,1971-2011 ............. 367
Losses due to fire in Kathmandu Valley,1971-2011 ................................... 368
Hazard Threats to the Population in Kathmandu Valley ............................. 369
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Professor Ernesto M. Serote, former faculty of the University of the Philippines, School of
Urban and Regional Planning for the analytical insights, framework development on land use
planning and management.
E-learning Participants for the GFDRR, Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning, March- April
2012 for the lively discussion in the Discussion Forum.
Mr. Surya Sangachhe, Technical Adviser for the Current RSLUP Project under UNDP,
Nepal for the insights related to the KV Development Concept Plan
Mr. Naresh Giri, Project Coordination Officer, UNDP-Nepal for the insights on Municipal
Planning and information on UNDP assisted projects related to Nepal Land Use Planning.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The report provides a view and a framework on how the Kathmandu Valley Development
Concept, published in 2001 can be made risk sensitive or disaster risk reduction and
management (DRRM) compliant. In view of the need identified by the Government of Nepal,
to integrate disaster risk concerns in the development planning process and land use plans of
the Kathmandu Valley, the study looks into the planning process and outputs at the Valley
level, and looks into the various aspects of its planning system where disaster risk reduction
(and climate change and variability risk aspects) may be introduced (entry points)and thus
making it risk sensitive and supportive of the sustainable development envisioned in 2001.
The report relied heavily in the documentation of the planning exercise and outputs of the
endorsed KV Development Concept Plan. The reasons mainly are that, the document revealed
the following: process of planning, the stakeholders involved the outputs in the form of a
policy framework for developing Kathmandu Valley. The information on the planning
process was partly augmented form the interviews and questionnaire surveys sent by NSET to
KVTDC in the current project.
The report highlights the following points: First, the KV Development Concept made in 2001
has not been updated with the currently available hazard information (on floods, earthquakes
and fire hazards) and with recent census information; hence, there is a need to update the
planning base information to include the hazards and attendant risks. Second, the plan has
made significant strides in ensuring that wider stakeholder participation and subjecting it to
technical and non-technical reviews. Third, while the hazard risks were apparently, not
discussed much, the policies and strategies opted for the different land use policy areas:
settlements, production, protection and infrastructural uses were found to be risk sensitive.
The development policies and strategies were strongly cored on five proactive policies in
keeping communities safe: Environmental Protection & Management, Better Urban Planning
and Safer Urban Expansion & Management, Better Enforcement of Building Codes and Bye
Laws, Improved Disaster Management and Improving institutional capacities for Planning &
Enforcement. These modes are strongly advocated in Government of Nepal‟s Policies and
Strategic Plans in the current National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (2010) and
National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) to Climate Change, (2009) briefly,
Environmental Protection & Management – in the KV plan, it is concerned with improved,
water and air quality, sustainable utilization of land and other natural resources, solid and
liquid waste management, among others. Policy formulation is also cored in regularizing and
managing the water supply, protection of wetlands. Policy enforcement is strongly proposed
to be done through national legislation implemented in the Valley.
Better Urban Planning and Safer Urban Expansion & Management – In the KV plan, it
focused on the proper use of land and other natural resource areas, with concern on safe
carrying capacity. It aims to develop an efficient form of the urban areas of the Valley and
increase the supply of cost-effective residential houses; strong enforcement of zoning
ordinance and building bye-laws. Policy measures such as improvement in the linkage of
parking facility, land-use and transport and specification of certain forms (compact) and area
of the cities are pursued. However, there is a need to organize these separate plans (periodic
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plans, KV plans, among others) through a physical framework plan guided by its development
concept and vision, to reduce the conflicts in land and resource use.
Better Enforcement of Building Bye-Laws and National Codes–It involves the application of
standard engineering procedures that are disaster resistant which are enforced on all types of
construction ranging from repairs, rehabilitation, existing building stock; retrofitting to
improve the resistance of non-engineered buildings and special retrofitting heritage & historic
structures. Implementation is enforced at the local level but this also entails amendment or
adaptation of the national building code through local ordinances that are responsive to the
specific local requirements.
Natural Calamity Mitigation – These are aimed at directly protecting lives and property by
providing sufficient information, warning to political authorities and the threatened
population and appropriate response by the population at risk and the local authorities. These
are similarly supported by the four other risk sensitive policies pursued in the Valley.
Improvement of Institutional Capacities-There is a strong need to effectively manage the state
of urbanization, enforce public safety and environmental regulations which has been the
prime concerns related to disaster proneness of the Kathmandu Valley.
Fourth, there is a need to orient perspectives of stakeholders on risk reduction in a
development perspective and agree on what risk sensitive may mean for the Valley
development in view of the policies and strategies developed in KV Development Concept of
2001.
Fifth, the detailing and refinement have yet to be continued; operationalization of the
succeeding stages would then be necessary with the view of making the development concept
and future spatial plan risk sensitive. These were the content of discussion in the remaining
sections of report.
One important parameter that the KV plan has yet to incorporate is the hazard risk aspect of
Kathmandu Valley. Interviews with KVTDC, NSET, MPPW, and MLD already pointed the
following as necessary for integration in the concept plan (among others):








The disaster prone areas should be shown clearly in KV Plans;
Physical infrastructure must be able to mitigate the effect of disasters;
Areas for rescue and relief need to be identified and protected;
Areas for future expansion of infrastructure need to be designated;
Open spaces must be defined;
Conflicts in sensitive areas ( ex. encroachment in sensitive areas) must be identified and
addressed;
Integration of KV Plan with Local Periodic Plans;
Integration of KV Plan with Disaster Risk Management Plans.
Sixth, in order to make the Valley planning structure risk sensitive, a responsive
organizational set up that will acquire the proper capacity to perform DRRM-related activities
is needed. This may be a task carried by the recently approved KVDA.
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Seventh, a risk sensitive land use planning procedure is presented towards the continuation of
the KV Development Concept. This set of procedures needs to be further detailed in an actual
exercise.
Eight, implementation tools are suggested focusing on Zoning, Safe Building Regulation, CoManagement Arrangements, Public Investment Programming, Incentive Giving and Taxation.
The work is currently a working draft and requires further reviews and updating of
information. While it does not aim for comprehensiveness or exhaustiveness, it shall aim for
further refinement on the premise used and its analysis, to make it a more relevant and
substantive working document for its stakeholders, within the remaining project period.
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3.1
Rationale
According to the Kathmandu Valley DRM Profile (EMI, 2005), the most frequent
natural disasters in Nepal are flood, landslide, and fire causing loss of life and severe
damage to property. The middle hills are mainly prone to landslides while the flat
Tarai region is susceptible to flood and fire. While earthquakes are not frequent,
historically, Nepal has experienced several destructive earthquakes with more than
11,000 people killed in four major earthquakes just in the past century.
Figure 3.1: Geographic Distribution of Recent Major Disasters
Source: UN Nepal„s Inter-Agency Disaster Response Preparedness Plan, 2001
Nepal‟s recently developed and published “Three-Year Interim Plan (2007-2010)” recognizes
disasters as one of the major impediments to national development.
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3.2
Hazard Events Threatening the Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley (KV) is located in the Bagmati Zone, Central Development Region of
Nepal. It covers an area of 66,650 hectares of land within Kathmandu Metropolitan City,
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Bhaktapur municipality, Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City,
Kirtipur Municipality and 98 Village Development Committees. Snow-covered mountains
rise behind the green hills in the north to provide an awe-inspiring backdrop to the city. The
city is located at 27°42' north Latitude and 85°20' east Longitude.
Figure 3.2: Figure 13: Location Map
3.2.1 General Hazards and Associated Risks
The more devastating natural hazards for Kathmandu Valley are related to earthquakes, floods
and fires.
Earthquake
The historical earthquake catalogue of UNDP/UNCHS (1994) showed high seismicity along
the Himalaya.
Historically, Nepal has experienced several destructive earthquakes with more than 11,000
people killed in four major earthquakes just in the past century. Based on the earthquake
catalog, Nepal faces one earthquake of Magnitude 7 or greater every 75 years, on average.
Such magnitude earthquake could be extremely damaging to urban metropolises as
demonstrated by the M7.0 January 2010 Haiti earthquake. Even more alarming is that since
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1800 five (5) events of M>= 7 have affected Kathmandu; the most recent severe earthquake
was the 1934 M8.3 earthquake. On average earthquake intensities equal to or greater than
VIII MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) take place every 36 years while earthquake
intensities of IX MMI or greater take place every 75 years. The last significant earthquake
M6.6 causing a loss of 721 lives occurred in east Nepal in 1988. It caused a total direct
economic loss of about 5 billion Nepalese Rupees. Further a recent M6.9 event shook eastern
and central Nepal as well as north east India causing damage to 30,684 buildings and
inflicting a total direct economic loss of 5.65 billion Nepalese Rupees. . The consolidated
earthquake catalogue of Nepal (1255 to 1992 A.D) and subsequent reporting by National
Seismological centre (NSC) of Department of Mines and Geology (DMG) shows high
frequency of large earthquakes in Nepal. Based on these observations, it is reasonable to
conclude that there is a high likelihood of an earthquake which will cause intensities of 8 or
greater in Kathmandu. Such intensities will create catastrophic damages in the city.
Table 3.1:
Magnitude-Frequency Data on Earthquakes in Nepal and the Surrounding Region
(1911-1991)
Earthquakes of Magnitudes in Richter Scale
5 to 6
6 to 7
7 to 7.5
7.5 to 8
>8
No. of Events
41
17
10
2
1
Approximate Recurrence Interval, yr.
2
5
8
40
81
Source: Earthquake Catalogue in BCDP, 1994
Table 3.2:
Frequency and Various levels of earthquake intensities in Kathmandu since 1800
A.D
KATHMANDU
5 Events of M>=7 since 1800 with one
event of M=8.3 (1934)
(Source: EMI from historical earthquake catalogue)
For example, it was reported that in 1833, a strong earthquake resulted in the destruction of
643 houses, and death of 414 people. The 1934 Bihar-Nepal Earthquake produced strong
shaking in Kathmandu Valley, the country‟s political, economic and cultural capital, and
destroyed 20 percent and damaged 40 percent of the valley‟s building stock. In Kathmandu
itself, one quarter of all homes was destroyed along with many historic buildings. In
Kathmandu valley 19,000 buildings were heavily damaged, 3800 people were killed and 1000
people were seriously wounded by 1934 earthquake (A study by JICA and MOHA in 2002).
Figure 3 presents the historical epicentral distributions in and around Nepal. The epicentral
distribution map indicates the following characteristics:



There are three main tectonic lines running across Nepal, namely, the Main Central
Thrust (MCT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and Main Frontal Thrust (MFT), and many
of the past earthquakes occurred in the area between MCT and MBT.
Seismicity is active in the west of Nepal.
The central part of Nepal has suffered relatively few earthquakes.
A study by JICA and MOHA in 2002 covered seismic risk assessment for the whole
Kathmandu Valley. It was, however, conducted within a short duration of time under limited
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resources. At that time, there was no official building inventory of the area so the total
number of buildings was estimated from population and household distribution as reported in
the 1991 census. Information on building vulnerability was based on an inventory survey of
only 1,000 buildings and from onsite observation of the main sites.
Figure 3.3: Epicentral Distribution around Nepal, 1255 to 2001
Source: Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, March 2002
There are several faults in the Kathmandu Valley. If one of them moves, part of this lineament
in the Valley will be severely damaged, even if the damaged area is not so large. The nature
of damage from the earthquake in the valley will be different from that of a huge earthquake
that occurs outside the Valley.
According to the same earthquake study, the main source of seismic activity in Nepal is the
subduction of the Indian plate under the Tibetan plate or Himalayas. Another earthquake
generator in the Valley is the identified seismic gap zone in the middle of Nepal. Based on
seismic records dating back to 1255, destructive earthquakes (estimated to have reached M7
or greater) have occurred in 1255, 1408, 1681, 1767, 1803, 1810, 1833, and 1866, 1913,
1916, 1934 and 1936 with the M8.3 1934 earthquake being the largest magnitude recorded
earthquake.
Earthquake Vulnerability
The concerns over the seismic risk to Kathmandu are driven not only by the high rate of
seismicity but also by the extreme vulnerability of structures and infrastructure, and the high
density of the built environment. The percent of building construction that could be
considered to be earthquake resistant is negligible, whereas the overwhelming majority of
buildings and structures indicate a high to very high vulnerability. The density of buildings
and population, the extreme vulnerability, the difficulties of access due to narrow roads and
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the potential for secondary effects such as fire following an earthquake, hazardous material
release, landslides, liquefaction and others are indicators of a large scale urban catastrophe
waiting to happen with a level of destruction that is unprecedented. Further, Kathmandu is
also subject to other hazards such as flooding, landslides and has high exposure to climate
change because of its location and fragile environment, which aggravate the vulnerability of
the city to natural hazards. (KMC, RSLUP, 2011)
Pictures showing the type of vulnerable construction in Kathmandu as well as the high
density of buildings and population (Source: EMI)
Earthquake
4
3
---
6
---
-----
10
254
---
------
---
9
Losses
value(NRs)
Education Centre
Livestock
Farming/Forests(
ha)
Evacuated
Damage
Affected
Buildings
Victims
Injuries
Missing
Human Population
Death
Hazards/Disaster
Events
Losses due to Earthquake in Kathmandu Valley,1971-2011
Destroyed
Table 3.3:
No of Data
366
------
(Source: Nepal DesInventar data base, NSET 2011)
Table 3.4:
Loss estimation figures for mid-Nepal Earthquake (intensity IX MMI)
Projected Population, Buildings and Impacts due to Scenario Earthquake in 2009
Building
Damage
(Heavy
and
Partial)
Displaced
Population
Population
No. of
Buildings
Death
Injury
(Severe and
Moderate)
Kathmandu
Metropolitan City (35
Wards)
956,364
187,137
14,585
120,717
87,193
291,232
Kirtipur Municipality
(19 Wards)
50,065
9,065
240
2,030
4,563
18,673
VDCs (Total 56 VDCs)
494,684
89,722
8,996
74,578
51,426
227,784
Kathmandu District
Total
1,501,112
285,924
23,821
197,325
143,182
537,689
211,501
45,202
990
8,310
19,355
49,016
Municipality / VDC
Kathmandu District
Lalitpur District
Lalitpur Sub
Metropolitan City (22
Wards)
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VDCs (Total 26 VDCs)
218,863
39,583
2,463
20,523
21,833
95,224
Lalitpur District Total
430,364
84,785
3,452
28,834
41,188
144,239
Bhaktapur Municipality
(17 Wards)
82,574
12,381
271
2,287
5,836
25,011
Madhyapur Thimi
Municipality (17
Wards)
64,770
10,423
147
1,249
4,359
17,656
VDCs (Total 16 VDCs)
139,371
24,065
925
7,759
11,996
53,944
Bhaktapur District Total
286,714
46,869
1,342
11,295
22,191
96,612
Total Valley
2,218,191
417,577
28,616
237,454
206,561
778,540
Bhaktapur District
(Source: Nepal DesInventar data base, NSET 2011)
Flood, Landslide and Debris Flood
There are more than 6,000 rivers and streams in Nepal, most of which flow from north to
south generally at high velocity due to steep river gradient. The majority of the larger rivers
are snow fed from the Himalayas. Since the topography of the country is steep and rugged,
with high-angle slopes and complex geology, large quantities of rainfall during the monsoon
season lead to floods, landslides, and debris flows in a number of cities. Costly yet
ineffective land conservation causes flooding and landslides. Unplanned settlements and
structures built without consideration of natural hazards aggravate the situation. In addition,
landslides caused by torrential rains add enormous volume to streams and rivers causing
floods and debris flows downstream that kill numerous people and inflict immense harm to
agricultural lands, crops, and properties. (KMC, RSLUP, 2011)
In July 1993, the Tarai region experienced a destructive flood which claimed the lives of
1,336 people and affected another 487,534. In 1998, floods and landslides struck various parts
of the country, mainly the Tarai and middle Hill regions, killing 273, injuring 80, and
impacting 33,549 families. The floods and landslides also ruined 45,000 hectares of crops.
Similar flooding occurred in 1999 and continues to occur annually. (KMC, RSLUP, 2011)
Farming/Forests(
ha)
60
53
18
8
---
10,579
186
225
322
33,252
62
----
58,674,000
Landslide
60
68
6
20
---
573
134
39
---
21
5
----
35,012,050
Buildings
Affected
Victims
Injuries
Missing
Death
No of Data
Human Population
Losses
value(NRs)
Evacuated
Flood
Hazards/Disaster
Events
Livestock
Damage
Education Centre
Losses due to flood and lanslide in Kathmandu Valley,1971-2011
Destroyed
Table 3.5:
(Source: Nepal DesInventar data base, NSET 2011)
Fire
Fire occurs mainly between April and June during the dry season when it seldom rains and
temperatures in the Tarai region reach higher than 35°C. Fires are common to the rural Tarai
and Hill regions where 90.8 percent of the total population lives in very poor housing
conditions. Houses in rural regions, especially Tarai, are composed of straw or timber and
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tend to be very close to each other, thereby increasing the risk of fire and fire spread. In 1999,
a blaze killed 39 people, injured 10, and affected 1,065 families. The fire, with estimated total
losses of NRs 45.23 million, destroyed 1,035 houses, 52 cattle sheds and 148 livestock.
Damage
Evacuated
Farming/Forests(
ha)
Livestock
Education Centre
Losses
value(NRs)
3
0.5
1293
2
591,558,339
Death
Missing
Injuries
Victims
Affected
Destroyed
50
168
---
1,336
390
Buildings
126
Human Population
No of Data
Hazards/Disaster
Events
Losses due to fire in Kathmandu Valley,1971-2011
296
Table 3.6:
603
368
Fire
(Source: Nepal DesInventar data base, NSET 2011)
Natural hazards which threaten Madhyapur Municipality through the years 2004 to 2011 can
be categorized as related to: fire, hailstorm, rains and monsoon, earthquake, landslides. Fire
appears frequent and occurred in this city four times (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011) with a single
human loss in 2010. The hail storm in 2007 caused huge destroy of ripen crops. In 2011,
heavy rains and flood destroyed the several houses and cultivated areas. Roads were water logged for several hours. In 2011, earthquake of magnitude 6.9 caused minor losses and
landslides seriously affected the historic and picnic spot of the city so called Nil Barahi jungle
area. About a decade ago, a large landslide occurred causing the erosion of the mostly the east
and west part of this Significant Temple area.
For Kathmandu City, using a 41 year record, (1971-2011), fire events (295 events) rank first
in number of deaths, injuries and missing persons and in terms of damage losses to build up
areas among the hazards. With forest fires included, it gives a picture that fire hazards are the
most destructive to KMC environment. Floods appear to affect lesser numbers of people and
very few have been recorded to die from floods but lead fires in terms of building damages.
There is a short record and lack of damage estimates to indicate destructive impacts of
earthquakes and may be more devastating when left unaddressed considering the vulnerability
of buildings and structures mentioned in this land use plan.
Fire and building collapse appears frequent in Lalitpur. The earthquake of 2011 had revealed
that damage to structure will be more under stronger earthquakes.
In Bhaktapur municipality, based on a 10 year record: fire, flood, landslide and structural
collapse has contributed to the many affected people and building damages.
Based on the Table shown below; fire flood, rain, structural collapse and epidemic account for
most of the hazard threats to the population in Kathmandu Valley. Fire, flood, landslide,
forest fire and structural collapse comprise the monetary losses from damages.
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Table 3.7:
Hazard Threats to the Population in Kathmandu Valley
3.2.2 Climate Change and Variability Impacts to Urban Settlements and
Infrastructure
(Excerpts from the NAPA report, 2009, Ministry of Environment)
Nepal‟s climate is influenced by the Himalayan mountain range and the South Asian
Monsoon. The climate is characterized into four distinct seasons: pre-monsoon (March-May),
monsoon (June-September), post monsoon (October- November) and winter (DecemberFebruary). Annual average rainfall is about 1800 mm yearly. The monsoon rain is abundant in
the east and gradually declines as it moves westwards; while winter rains are higher in the
northwest declining as it moves south-eastwards. The highest rainfall occurs in the central and
mid-hill areas around Pokhara and northeast and east of the Kathmandu Valley. Temperature
tends to increase from north to south.
In terms of projections, mean annual temperature may increase between 1.2 deg C- 1.4 deg C
by 2030 and about 1.7 deg C by 2050. Increases in temperature from 2deg C to 3 deg C may
be expected until 2100. Precipitation may increase in the range of 15 to 20% for the whole
country during summer months. Generally there is an increase in monsoon and post monsoon
rainfall in terms of intensity of rainfall.
Nepal, largely an agrarian economy is highly sensitive to these changes in climate and nature
resource availability (i.e. water resources).
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The NAPA report indicates that Kathmandu is one among the more vulnerable districts with a
very high rating in terms of a vulnerability index. Essentially, it describes that poor people are
vulnerable to loss of physical capital (damage to shelter and infrastructure), human capital
(malnutrition and disease), social capital (displacement of communities) and financial capital
(more disasters and lower income).
In that same report (September 2009) of the Ministry of Environment of Nepal, the direct
impacts of climate change may result to disastrous floods and reduce freshwater supplies.
Indirect impacts of climate change could be experienced due to extreme events that may
increase food prices and /or damage livelihood assets of the vulnerable communities.
The report further adds that, climate change is likely to result in increased damage to
buildings, energy services, telecommunications, transport structures and water services,
hence, generally affecting the quality of lives and safety of local communities.
3.3
Vulnerability of Kathmandu Valley to Disasters
The Nepal, Kathmandu Valley is considered one of the most disaster-prone countries in the
world. It is ranked 11th among 150 countries, according to the Humanitarian Aid Office of the
European Commission.
In addition, there are certain social, economic and political factors in the Kathmandu Valley
which tend to aggravate the impact of hazard events. The following section briefly describes
the development related aspects which contribute to the physical, social and environmental
vulnerability of the Valley. Information was mainly sourced from KV Development Concept
2001 and various agency reports.
3.3.1 Population and Social Aspects
Population
The Valley district growth includes Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, and encompasses
five ( 5) municipalities and ninety-eight (98) VDCs. Urban growth rate was 3.38% per year
and rural growth rate was 1.03% (2001 -2011). Population projections indicate a rise to
3.6million people in 2021 from 2.642 million in 2011. Among these, sixty eight (69.5%) will
be living in the Kathmandu District, 18% in Lalitpur district and 12.5% in Bhaktapur district.
A significant percentage, about 80% of the Valley population will be residing in the urban
areas and 20% in the rural areas. The burden will be on KMC. There is a great pressure of
migration on the Kathmandu metropolitan area. It is highlighted in the KV report that a
natural increase alone in the Valley population can propel the urbanization on its own.
Social Aspects
Kathmandu Valley continues to experience a number of pressing social issues.
Key components of vulnerability reveal the following:
1.
Widespread Poverty. Poverty drives many people to engage in unsustainable livelihoods
the effects of which exacerbate environmental disasters, for example, deforestation or
destruction of forests.
2.
Movement to High risk areas. Poverty also drives some people to inhabit high-risk areas
such as unstable slopes, river banks, or along road and rail rights of way and along
easements of power lines. This exposes the poor directly to hazards and their deprivation
reduces their capacity to cope with disasters, much less recover quickly from the effects
of disasters.
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3.
Political Instability. The long-running conflicts have triggered armed conflicts which have
displaced entire communities. (Note: Please correct as necessary.)
4.
Threat to Cultural and Heritage Sites. Seven cultural heritage sites enlisted in the world
heritage sites, namely Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur
Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pasupatinath, Changunarayan,etc. are at
risk to damage from environmental hazards. These heritage sites consist of numerous
temples, monasteries, stupas, palaces, chowks, ponds, and waterspouts etc., which
represent the culture, history, religion and architecture of the Valley. Apart from the
heritage sites, there are also more than thirty religious and monument sites in various
places such as Dakshin Kali and Budha Nilakanth.
Economy
Tourism, agro-service, business, commerce and industry sector fuels the growth in
Kathmandu‟s economy. The manufacturing industries engaged a total of 123,000 persons
(National Research Associates, Nepal 1999). Such principal industries are carpets, textiles and
ready-made garments, weaving/hosiery, wooden craft, furniture, brick and tile factories. A
great number of hotels and resorts may be found in the Valley.
1.
Economic infrastructure support is weak. As a result of fast urban expansion, services and
facilities can no longer cope and can eventually destabilize the urban management. For
this, employment and services and facilities, in addition to economic opportunities,
should be expanded in urbanizing areas. The carrying capacity needs to be determined.
2.
Weakening Agriculture sector.
Environment & Resource Related
1.
Degraded and denuding water resources. According to a joint study by MoEST, ICIMOD
and UNEP (2007) titled, “Kathmandu Valley Environmental Outlook,” the Valley‟s
surface water sources, such as rivers and “kunds”, have received tremendous pressure
from increasing population and economic activities. The pressure on these water sources
has also increased over the years as the agricultural sector intensified its demand for
water. Almost all major rivers have been tapped at source for drinking water supplies.
This supply is only about 120 million litres per day (mld) during the rainy season and 80
mld during dry season, against the estimated daily demand of 170 mld (NWSC 2001). In
dry season, 60-70 percent of the water supply comes from groundwater. Only 79 percent
of the total demand for water of the urban population has been met. (MoEST, ICIMOD
and UNEP, 2007). In view of the climate change impacts identified in the NAPA report of
2009, there is a need to address these resource issues immediately.
2.
Hazard Prone & Disaster areas. Information on hazards and negative impacts may be
sourced from various agencies, NGO database (Nepal Desinventar, NSET, 2011) and
from project reports specially related to earthquake and flood impacts.
-
Natural hazard & risk information integrated in Development plans and processes.
Most of the reports on natural hazard impacts in the Valley had been published after
the KV 2001 plan was prepared and hence vital information may not have been
available during its conception and finalization.
Day-to-day risks are faced by the people living in the Valley and are strongly related to
environmental degradation.
1.
Land, Water & Air Pollution. The KV report had identified the cause of air pollution in
the Valley included motor vehicles, factories, bio-mass and fuel; out of which, vehicular
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emission is the major factor. The reasons for aggravating vehicular emission can be
attributed to the use of old vehicles, poor maintenance and use of substandard fuel, among
others.
2.
Poor sanitation & waste management in Kathmandu Valley. This is mainly due to
household sewage and wastes, and industrial effluents dumped into the river without
treatment. There is also a high level of air pollution due to poor road conditions
producing dust and particulates. Improper solid waste disposal due to temporary dumping
of garbage along roadsides also contributes to urban pollution in the city.
Land Use Related
The agricultural, non-agricultural and forest zones occupy 41%, 28%, and 31% of the total
land of the Valley (as of 1998). There is much diversification of land use. Urban residential
use covers about 7% while rural settlement covers 12.6%. The total land area covers about
66,665 hectares. The analysis of the land use trend of the Valley in 2001 reveals rapid decline
of the agriculture land and that this trend is likely continuing. During the period of 2041-51
B.S. (1984-1994), a total of 7642 hectares of agriculture land was converted for urban uses
whereas during the period of 2051-57 B.S. (1994-2000), a total of 5738 hectares of
agriculture land was converted.
It is estimated that 3600 hectares of land will be required for the next 20 years at the rate of
300 persons per hectare. Because land for built up areas are getting scarce, multi-storeyed
structures were promoted in the development concept plan. This densification approach,
mentioned in the report is deemed to help in preserving the agricultural land. On the other
hand, new sites for urban expansion must be pre-identified.
Key contributors of vulnerability:
1.
A rapid urbanization of the Valley is uncontrolled. It is likely that the uncontrolled
population growth and inadequate services and facilities will eventually destabilize the
urban management.
-
2.
Rapid conversion of unproductive agricultural lands. One of the derived constraints is
that habitation with low density of population was taking place in the Valley and
causing decline of fertile agriculture land. The report mentions that between 2041B.S.
(1984) and 2057B.S.(2000), the agriculture land in the Valley decreased from 64
percent to 42 percent. If this trend continues, the agriculture land in the Valley will go
to zero in 2082 B.S.(2025).(Source: KV 2020)
Rapid and haphazard urban transformation of the Kathmandu Valley. It has inflicted a
great pressure on the Valley's precious natural resources such as agriculture land,
environment, cultural heritage, services and facilities; and the way of life of the people in
the Valley has changed and their living is getting dearer and more painful. (Source: KV
2020,RSLUP E-Learning, 2012 Discussion Forum)
“The growth of settlements in the Valley is generally spontaneous, and there is very little
planning intervention on the part of the government to guide its directions. The lowdensity urban sprawl and uncontrolled settlement development in rural areas similarly
pose a challenge for urban managers because of the high cost of providing and
maintaining municipal services.” (MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP, 2007)
3.
Densification issues. The average gross residential density in the Valley was proposed in
KV 2020 at 300 persons per hectare (or net density of 600 persons per hectare)
considering a 50% occupation for residential purposes. Given the assumption that 500
persons per hectare (net density-KV 2020 report), there is still enough room for
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densification. Standards for land allocation for educational or health institutions were
provided in the report, cultural and entertainment areas; however, there is no study on
where this maybe considering the hazard risks and terrain of the Valley.
4.
Current causes and effects and trends of urbanization needs to be updated. The Land Use
Plan of the Valley 2033 B.S. (1976) remained in effect until the reported period (2001)
when KV 2020 was crafted. The current approved plan is still in effect. The current
causes and effects, trends of urbanization should be analyzed for Kathmandu Valley to
aid decision making.( Source: RSLUP E-Learning, 2012 Discussion Forum)
5.
Basin or watershed approach is not yet developed for Kathmandu. It is not yet clear how a
basin wide approach may be tackled as the watershed planning covers a wider scope of
uses, generally settlements or built up areas, agriculture and crop areas, forest areas
(protected forests and agro-forests), and inland waters. The Kathmandu Valley Urban
Development Authority, when formed, will need to integrate broader plans on natural
resources (forest, agriculture) with Valley wide urban plans. (Source: KV 2020)
3.3.2 Building, Infrastructure & Transport related
Building Related
In principle, future constructions should not increase vulnerabilities or risks to already highrisk areas. However, there is an increasing risk to building stock damage to a very strong
earthquake, not only because of old buildings (non- seismic designed) but because of poor
enforcement of local byelaws and national codes.
1.
Increasing physical vulnerability of Kathmandu Valley. This is a result of several factors
related to poor building planning, lack of municipal land use plan and a supporting
transport plan to guide development and poor enforcement of building codes and
construction standards.
2.
Poor site planning of spaces. Buildings and other structures are built in either side of the
major roads in the Valley. The current land use trend reveals that rural settlements are
scattered and building works are being done around such settlements in an unplanned
manner. (Source: KV 2020, Development Concept report)
Transport and Infrastructure Related
1.
Traffic congestion. The rise of private vehicles as compared to public transport vehicles
and poor condition of such vehicles have caused congestion of motor vehicles in the
urban area of the Valley and been increasing air and noise pollution. Non-encouragement
of pedestrian walking, bicycle and rickshaw has also caused congestion of motor vehicles.
(source; KV 2020)
2.
Small internal roads. It is necessary to improve internal roads and improve surface of
important urban roads. This will similarly improve the situation of transport in the future.
In doing so, undeveloped areas and open spaces and the places where there is no wider
road and there is difficulty with movement should be chosen. (KV 2020). There may also
be a need to reduce internal vehicular traffic in inner roads to reduce congestion.
3.
Lack of service roads. This absence makes transition from main road to interior areas
difficult.
4.
Lack of open space. There is currently a lack of open space in urban areas, making
adjustments or realignments difficult to pursue.
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5.
Lack of adequate supply of clean safe drinking water or the prolonged exposure of some
communities to stagnant water which causes occasional outbreaks of water-borne
diseases.
6.
Lack of Firefighting equipment. Lack of modern (fire-fighting) equipment in the
Kathmandu Valley renders them unable to cope with frequent fires especially during the
hot dry months.
Institutional Aspects
There are laws covering both land use planning and disaster risk management and are
interlinked by the policy & strategies of NAPA and the NDRM. However, the
operationalization of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation through land use
planning and periodic planning and their implementation has yet to be realized. There seems
to be very limited funding to support for institutional and organizational reforms related to
DRRM at the Valley and local level.
3.4
1.
The lack of the institutional capacity to effectively manage state of urbanization. The
policies of the Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee to control land
developments and construction works are not becoming effective to mitigate the effects of
the externalities in the Valley.
2.
Weak enforcement of public safety and environmental regulations. These has been
mentioned in the KV report (and in the current project) as a prime concern related to
disaster proneness of the Kathmandu Valley.
Current State of Disaster Preparedness
Even as the Kathmandu Valley is one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world, it is also
reputed to have a well-organized disaster management system in place. Nepal is known to
adopt and implement a community-based approach to disaster management. To date, an
extensive organizational of multi-level disaster coordinating councils cutting vertically
through the national, regional and local levels exists.
3.5
Proactive Policies in KV Plan
There are several proactive policies of disaster risk reduced communities: Environmental
Protection & Management, Better Urban Planning and Safer Urban Expansion &
Management, Better Enforcement of Building Codes & Bye-Laws, Improved Disaster
Management and Improving institutional Capacities for Planning & Enforcement. These
modes are strongly advocated in Government of Nepal‟s Policies and Strategic Plans in the
current National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (2010) and National Adaptation
Programme of Action (NAPA) to Climate Change, (2009) briefly,
Environmental Protection & Management – in the KV plan, it is concerned with improved,
water and air quality, sustainable utilization of land and other natural resources, solid and
liquid waste management, among others. Policy formulation is also cored in regularizing and
managing the water supply, protection of wetlands. Policy enforcement is strongly proposed
to be done through national legislation implemented in the Valley.
Better Urban Planning and Safer Urban Expansion & Management – In the KV plan, it
focused on the proper use of land and other natural with concern on safe carrying capacity. It
aims to improve the form of the urban area of the Valley and increase the supply of costeffective residential houses; strong enforcement of zoning ordinance and building bye-laws.
Policy measures such as improvement in the linkage of parking facility, land-use and
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transport and specification of certain form and area of the cities are pursued. However, as
there is a need to organize these separate plans, through a physical framework plan guided by
its development concept and vision, to reduce the conflicts in land and resource use.
Better Enforcement of Building Bye-Laws and National Codes–It involves the application of
standard engineering procedures that are disaster resistant which are enforced on all types of
construction ranging from repairs, rehabilitation, existing building stock; retrofitting to
improve the resistance of non-engineered buildings and special retrofitting heritage & historic
structures. Implementation is enforced at the local level but this also entails amendment or
adaptation of the national building code through local ordinances that are responsive to the
specific local requirements.
Natural Calamity Mitigation – These are aimed at directly protecting lives and property by
providing sufficient information, warning to political authorities and the threatened
population and appropriate response by the population at risk and the local authorities. These
are similarly supported by the four other policies pursued in the Valley.
Improvement of Institutional Capacities-There is a strong need to effectively manage the state
of urbanization, enforce public safety and environmental regulations which has been the
prime concerns related to disaster proneness of the Kathmandu Valley.
Several key policies and development action plans that are relevant to disaster risk reduction
and management highlight these pro-active modes in Nepal and especially at Kathmandu
Valley.
1. Three-Year National Plan (2009/10 - 2012/13)
This plan has given the importance to the disaster risk management and set the long term
vision for developing the capacity of the country for coping with any type of natural and
human-induced disasters. It has clearly mentioned in the policy and actions under the section
6.3 (Disaster Risk Management) that the preparation of risk sensitive land use plan and
following the building code will be made compulsory in urban and urbanizing areas. It has
also mentioned about the minimization of the impacts of climate change by protecting
environment and availing opportunities; increasing the access of people in water induced
disaster prevention services; developing safe, low cost and environment friendly housings;
developing appropriate settlements and cities from the environmental and social perspective
etc. in different sections.
2. Kathmandu Valley Development Authority Act of 1988
Section 6 pertains to the development of Kathmandu Valley by improving existing town
development and identifying new areas for urban expansion. It also highlights the
development and implementation of land pooling program and building construction in
identified areas.
Section 7 explicitly highlights the need to stop land fragmentation in the identified land use
plan area. Land fragmentation is the result of dividing a parcel of land into smaller sizes by
the head of the family and distributing the pieces of land to his heir or members of his family.
In many cases, the resulting lots become inadequate in size and shape for the construction of a
comfortable house or that the building is built higher in order to accommodate the expanding
family occupants. However, whenever the original lots are pooled or consolidated into bigger
lots or parcels, the resulting area would yield a building structure with adequate amenities and
open spaces for air to flow through.
3. National Urban Policy 2064 (2004)
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The National Urban Policy has been formulated for integration of all the issues of urban
development and to clarify the role of implementing institution for addressing those issues.
This includes giving clear information on how to mobilize necessary resources and public and
private investment for implementation of working policy set in the policy document. The long
term goal of the policy is to contribute in poverty alleviation through sustainable urbanization
of the development regions. It addresses this through appropriate planning urbanization
activities, reversing the deteriorating urban environment, and providing clearer roles of
central and local bodies in urban development
Hence, the three main objectives set by the policy: 1) balanced national urban structure, 2)
clean and developed urban environment and 3) effective urban environment are supportive of
disaster risk reduction.
1. Balanced national urban structure.
Working policies proposed were the following:






North-south corridor (ex. Terai region to Valley) shall be developed for equal distribution
of facilities to all regional development centre;
Develop trade linkage between mountain-terai region and boosting tourism;
Develop at least one large urban economic centre;
Develop inter-linkage of other small urban centre to it and each other through physical
facilities;
Give priority to large industrial activities in regional urban centre and small and medium
industrial activities in medium urban centre;
Encourage government and private investment for fulfillment of these policies and special
encouragement to private investment.
2. Clean and developed urban environment
Working policies proposed were the following:






Give priority to conservation of cultural and natural resources;
Give due consideration to urban sanitation and public health;
Minimize of natural disaster;
Encourage and formulate environment friendly vehicles and transportation system
Promote various economic activities based on local resources and opportunities;
Increase access of low income group to urban infrastructure facilities; and opportunities
and management economic activities in unorganized and informal sectors
3. Effective urban management.
Working policies proposed were the following:




Ensure that the Proposed Physical Planning Act shall address the following:
Identify of concerned agencies and their responsibility and by bringing physical
development plan preparation, approval and implementation in the legal framework of
law;
Strengthen capacity of local body accordingly by making urban development planning
compulsory under it;
Separate unit within the central and regional body for physical development planning,
approval and implementation;
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
Declare only those urban centers as municipality which have developed required level of
physical facilities and urban characters and transforming municipality into main
responsible body for urban development activities.
(Source: National Urban Policy 2064, Unofficial Translation, Nepal Government
Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, Department of Urban Development and Building
Construction, Babar Mahal)
4. Building Act of 1999
The Preamble of this Act provides for disaster-resistant building design and construction
standards to make buildings safe from natural disasters like earthquake, fire, floods, among
others. Section 4 calls for the formulation and adoption of a building code and
implementation of the same with the end in view of improving the quality and safety of each
building. Section 8 mandates the categorization of buildings into different classes and the
issuance of a building permit prior to construction in the municipal areas.
5. National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)
NAPA is a strategic tool which assesses vulnerability to climate change and variability,
provides for the process and framework for developing adaptation measures. When related to
environmental hazards. In these adaptation measures may fall within the risk reduction
themes of disaster mitigation, prevention and preparedness. NAPA is mainly cored on six
basic themes which fall within the national and local development sectors (see item 5 above
on Section 96 of the Local Self Governance Act (LSGA) of 1999). At the local level,
implementation of the adaptation measures within these development sectors are critical and
is within the purview of the Municipal functions, duties, and responsibilities of municipalities,
including Kathmandu City. With coordination and technical support from the Ministries and
Districts, implementation of adaptation measures at VDC/Municipal level, are hopefully
ensured.
The suggested focus of planning and action for adaptation strongly focuses on the four proactive modes:
a. Agriculture and Food Security–adaptation priorities in agriculture have been set at
sustainable agricultural land use system, agro-biodiversity management and favorable and
conducive governance mechanism.
b. Forests and Biodiversity-adaptation measures set on sustainable forest management,
improved governance and capacity at the local level.
c. Water resources and Energy- adaptation priorities set on better and more accessible
information and technology, stronger and more adaptable institutions, and natural and
human-made infrastructure to store water, transport and treat water, and to maintain
energy production base, and expand and integrate transmission and distribution networks.
d. Climate Change Induced Disasters- relevant to adaptation, the disaster risk reduction
practices (DRR) include strengthening resilience, diversifying livelihood, planning,
providing insurance and developing and early warning system, and community based
approaches for DRR.
e. Public Health-adaptation strategies focus largely on awareness raising and public health
initiatives at local level. Carry out research, formulate appropriate strategies and conduct
IEC on health related issues caused by climate change.
f.
Urban Settlements and Infrastructure- adaptation measures are cored at the following:
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Settlements:
a) improving effective and pro-poor structures of governance
b) reduce the threat through prevention
c) improve coping capacity of vulnerable communities
Infrastructures:
a) formulate and implement sound climate change adaptation measures
b) providing enabling conditions to ensure resilient infrastructures
(Source: National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) to Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, 2010)
6.
National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management, (NSDRM-2009)
National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management is a National Framework with commitment
of the Government of Nepal for protection, growth, and promotion of national heritages and
physical infrastructures. It provides for a course of action to address the loss of physical
properties and human lives, destructions of basic infrastructures. This is done by proposing an
organizational structure for DRM in Nepal and by mainstreaming disaster reduction in the
development process.
Similar to the NAPA, the NSDRM is an inseparable component of all other sector strategies
contributing to sustainable development of Nepal. Inherent objective of this Strategy is to
guide towards reducing disasters in the process of formulation and execution of development
programs for national development.
The NSDRM follows a paradigm shift from merely responding to post disaster situations to
disaster prevention through development. Its main vision is to have disaster resilient
communities in Nepal. To do this, the long term strategies include:




Development and restructuring of institutional structures;
Strengthen policy-wide and legal arrangements to ensure stakeholders' participation while
adhering to integrated policy and decentralized implementation process.
Create enabling environment from the central to household level within the State to
prepare and implement disaster risk reduction and preparedness plans.
Ensure mainstreaming disaster reduction into overall development process along with
sectoral development and poverty reduction plans.
The Government of Nepal (GoN) strongly realizes that disasters are tied up with inappropriate
development. Hence, the GoN had set up priorities based on sector-wide activities by
assessing the nature of potential disaster. This may be seen in Nepal's need-based
development agenda with HFA 2005-2015. This NSDRM then becomes an inseparable and
important component of this over-all strategy for attaining sustainability and disaster
resiliency. (Source: NSDRM, 2009). For Kathmandu Valley, this is most applicable.
The NSDRM follows five priorities in the implementation process:
1.
Put up an institutional framework in place for its implementation by prioritizing DRR at
both the national and local levels.
2.
Strengthen assessment, identification, monitoring, and early warning system on potential
disaster;
3.
Make use of knowledge, new ideas, and education for the development of safety and
disaster resilient culture at all levels;
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4.
Minimize existing risk factors; and
5.
Make Disaster Preparedness strong enough for effective response.
Mainstreaming of DRR in the various development sectors become imperative to ensure that
preparedness, mitigation or response arrangements are in place and that damages, losses are
reduced, thereby bringing sustainability of development. In the same sense, the GoN has
identified the following sectors as targets for risk reduction efforts:
Agriculture and Food security
a. Health
b. Education
c. Shelter, Infrastructure and Physical Planning
d. Livelihood Protection
e. Water and Sanitation
f.
Information, Communication, Coordination and Logistics
g. Search and Rescue, and Damage and Needs Assessment
h. Institutional Framework for Planning
(Source: NSDRM, Government of Nepal, 2009)
Hence, in this proposed Framework, the five policies will be used as the substantive content
that will be integrated into the process and output components of the Kathmandu Valley
Development Concept (Physical Framework) to make it risk sensitive. The four modes fit
properly into NSDRM of 2009 and the NAPA of 2010, key policies directly related to disaster
risk reduction and management.
Of the five, environmental management and land use planning (or development planning in
general) belongs in the mitigation & prevention modes while disaster management systems
should form part of disaster-preparedness or counter-disaster planning. Safe building
construction similarly falls within the mitigation & prevention stages but is most relevant with
rehabilitation and recovery activities. Improvement of institutional capacities falls in
preparedness, mitigation or response arrangements.
3.6
The Framework for Making Kathmandu Valley Development
Concept Plan Risk Sensitive
This framework for mainstreaming DRM in Kathmandu Valley Concept Plan and Planning
processes aims to a) guide the Valley in ensuring disaster risk management is integrated In
the plans and processes; b) ensure that the proactive policies support DRR in the
Development Concept and Physical Framework and that c) implementation tools adhere to
the preferred strategies.
Figure 4. shows the DRR mainstreaming concept developed by EMI to promote the
integration of risk reduction measures in local governance, in a way that significant risk
reduction occurs at the local level (Buika et. al., 2006). The mainstreaming framework can be
highly effective when local authorities, engaged in the normal conduct of their functions,
responsibilities, and practices, integrate DRR measures and objectives in various aspects of
local governance such as urban planning. This framework also suggests that DRR can be
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mainstreamed in local governance by harnessing existing mechanisms, processes, and systems
that are already in place and making use of such resources.
Figure 3.4: Framework for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (EMI, copyright)
Figure 4. presents the risk-sensitive land use planning framework for Kathmandu Valley. The
components of the framework are explained in the next section.
The KV development concept already demonstrated that land use planning could be an
effective tool to lessen the physical, social and economic vulnerabilities of cities to natural
hazards. The KV development concept hopes to provide several development plan
components which can be later combined to form as the physical framework (plan) of
Kathmandu Valley and by which the municipalities, cities, VDC plans and in the higher-level
plans are guided and aligns their infrastructure projects along this framework plan (e.g.
KVTDA). Regional plans or Valley-wide projects shall be chosen with the participation of
affected local residents and in consideration of the inherent natural hazards of the place.
With continued efforts by KVTDA and local stakeholders, and with strong support by the
Nepal Ministry ( i.e. DUDBC, MOHA,MOLD), by UNDP and by scientific organizations
such as NSET and EMI, refining the RSLUP of KMC serves as the continuing step towards
a better understanding of the planning process, institutions involved, plan outputs, review and
approval process, and implementing tools to ensure a blueprint towards sustainable urban
development of the Kathmandu Valley and its component cities and municipalities and
VDCs.
The KV Development Concept Plan had already initiated a participatory approach by having
the initial document undergo a series of reviews among its stakeholders in latter stages in
2001. The approved KV Plan consolidated the reviews and comments with the original
proposal and formed the basis for future land use planning activities.
In updating the KV plan, enhancements may include the following:
a. A program that includes a wider set of stakeholders to be involved in:
-
identifying, describing, validating the issues and problems of the Valley;
preparation of the Development Vision;
validating the component plans (settlement, infrastructure, environment and
production (economy) plans);
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b. Inclusion of natural hazard risks and their management to the different component plans
and their development policy, strategy decisions;
-
Hazard and vulnerability mapping;
Inclusion of disaster information;
Inclusion of Climate change impact assessments to the region (or Valley);
Identifying implications to these component plans in terms of land use management,
particularly on enforcement issues;
Inclusion and review of current programs ,projects and activities in the component
development plans for Valley wide development;
Inclusion of risk management options and climate change adaptation strategies
relevant to the Valley;
Identifying the programs, projects and activities which may be integrated in the
periodic plans of Municipalities, and cities;
In transforming the KV plan into a spatial framework, suggestions include the following:
c. Combining the component plans into a preferred physical framework:
-
Utilizing hazard maps and disaster risk information as constraints to urban expansion
areas(ex. exclusion areas, or development areas with use restrictions and control);
Having appropriately scaled hazard maps and disaster risk information to provide a
more detailed zoning (ex. municipal level (1:10:000);
Inclusion and review of current programs ,projects and activities in the components
spatial plans for Valley wide arrangements
Inclusion of spatial components of risk management options and climate change
adaptation strategies relevant to the Valley;
A guiding framework to aid in the process of mainstreaming hazard, vulnerability
and risk assessment in KV physical framework.
In order to carry out the needed enhancements and crafting of the KV framework plan,
capacity building must be directed to the technical, operational and institutional aspects of KV
governance. This capacity building has for its aims, the attainment of the KV Development
Objecives by carrying out the policies and strategies set forth in the KV 2020 Development
concept nd further refined towards a physical framework plan. These shalled be in accordance
with existing national laws especially with the NSDRM and the NAPA policies and
strategies.
As mentioned earlier, the DRR related outputs refer to the Risk sensitive KV land use plan
(physical framework and its component spatial plans) and supported by the Programs,
Projects and activities identified to implement the plans at the KV level or at lower levels.
This risk sensitive KV plan shall guide the municipal comprehensive plans, their zoning
ordinances, their investment programs, and other governance instruments (ex. bye-laws)
which should be similarly risk sensitive.
Risk sensitive KV land use plan may comprise of the several policies, strategies which relate
to environmental management, land use planning and management, sound water use and
control, sound economic sectoral development plans, safe building construction, disaster
preparedness & early warning system policies, and their integrated spatial plan etc.
It is hoped that the Kathmandu Valley hazard risks to exposed elements such as human
settlements, economic activities & sources of livelihood of communities, and critical private
& public infrastructures, natural and cultural environment be reduced, if not, eliminated.
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3.7 Focus of this Intervention: The Kathmandu Valley Development
Concept Plan
The actual target of this intervention is the Kathmandu Valley Development Concept (&
Physical Framework). The content of the intervention is mainly the preparation of plans at
KV level. It is assumed that the KV planning process described in the KV 2001 report
captures the existing approach to KV level planning. With this, is a need to orient
perspectives of stakeholders on risk reduction in a development perspective and agree on
what risk sensitive may mean for the Valley development, in view of the policies and
strategies developed in KV Development Concept of 2001.
The KV Planning System
The Kathmandu Valley level planning system may be said to be composed of four
components, namely, 1) the planning structure involving those involved in planning, 2) the
KV planning mandates (or what plans local governments are required to prepare), 3) the
planning process (or how are the mandated plans prepared), and 4) the KV authority levers (or
the instruments the KVDA) can use to implement its plans). The KV planning system is
depicted in summary form in Fig. 5.
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383
KATHMANDU VALLEY PLANNING SYSTEM
Local Planning Structure
Who are involved?
(A)
Political Decisions-Who
performs these?
Deliberation – KVDA, MPPW,
Policies Formulation –GoN,
MPPW/KVDA
General Land Use Planning Process in Kathmandu Valley
What is the process?
(B)
1
2
Decision taking – GoN, MPPW
3
GOALS/OBJECTIVES
SETTING
Technical Aspects-Who are
involved in the following?
Data generation for sectoral and
land use planning- (Sectoral
departments)
Formulation of Goals,
Objectives
(Sectoral agencies with
participatory process) (KVDA
along with MPs)
Identifies programs and Projects
(Sectoral ministries/ dept./
municipalities KVDA)
Conducts Public consultations
(Sectoral agencies,
Municipalities,
KVDA)
Monitors Programs, Project
Implementation
(Sectoral agencies, KVDA)
4
5
Are the plans implemented
by the following?
DATA COLLECTION &
INVENTORY
INTER- & INTRA-AREA
ANALYSIS
GENERATION OF
ALTERATIVE STRATEGIES
EVALUATION & SELECTION
OF PREFERRED STRATEGY
**Development concept
prepared
6
DETAILING & REFINEMENT
OF PREFERRED STRATEGY
7
FORMULATING POLICIES &
IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS
8
PLAN ADOPTION &
LEGITIMIZATION
9
IMPLEMENTATION,
MONITORING
Implementing Instruments
Used in KV
How are the plans
implemented? (C)
InterAgency
C
o
n
s
u
l
t
a
t
Interi
Agency
o
Cn
Public o
Consultan
tion s
Various-u
Stages l
t
a
t
i
o
n
Zoning (building by-laws by
KVDA)
Co-management
(Municipalities)
Development regulation
(Zoning Bye- LawsKVTDC & Municipalities)
Local investment programs
(KVDA & Municipalities,
sectoral agencies, MPs)
New Taxation – (local Gov.
property tax)
Private Investments –
(FNCCI)
Innovative Approaches –
(Academia)
& FEEDBACK
**Spatial plan not yet prepared, no
apparent procedures
Conducts detailed researches
and analysis- (outsourced by
DUDBC/KVDA)
Figure 3.5: Identified Planning System at KV level
(Adapted from : Serote, 2004, Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Mangement of Local Territories, C-9, Property,
Patrimony and Territory: Foundations of Land Use Planning in the Philippines; School of Urban and Regional
Planning, UP-PLANADES)
Note: Intra area analysis refers to spatial and sectoral analysis (socio economic, demographic, environment, and
infrastructure) involving among municipalities within Kathmandu Valley.
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Inter area analysis refer to spatial and sectoral relationships of adjacent districts of
Kathmandu Valley.In short, the identified framework seeks to make each of these four
components of the KV planning risk sensitive.
On Planning Structure
As shown in Fig. 5 the local planning structure consists of the political decision makers and
the technical group. The political component represents the persons who will deliberate,
formulate the policies and head the decision making and is composed of members of KVTDC
(Currently KVDA), minister of MPPW and other representatives from the Government of
Nepal. These groups are the decision makers who deliberate on the policies, strategies, plan
and coordinate KV wide programs, package projects and access external sources from
national government budgets, financial institutions, and foreign donors, among others towards
plan implementation. The technical group provides technical support so that the the decision
makers. This group is in charge of data generation; analysis of existing scenarios & trends
generates and evaluates policy options in order to provide decision makers the substantive
material to base their decisions. Comprising the technical group are the following: the sectoral
Ministries, MPs (?) representing KVDA, VDC chairperson, Mayor of Municipalities,
representatives from the municipalities and other heads of ministry government agencies with
field offices in the locality. The expected outputs of their participation would result towards
resource allocation and realization of programs, projects and activities.
On KV Plan (KV Concept) and Planning Process
In 56-57 B.S (1999/2000) a Kathmandu Valley long-term draft development concept was
prepared by the Kathmandu Town and Development Committee (KVTDC), under
instructions by the Board formed under the His Majesty‟s Government. This development
concept provides the policy framework and a road map that will guide Valley wide activities
and physical development, to include land use and physical and infrastructure development in
a sustainable manner. The emphasis on incorporating environmental values of the Valley
provides for a balanced built and un-built environment. The draft concept plan underwent
many consultations in the following years 57/58 (2000/2001) involving Non-governmental
Organization (NGOs), People‟s Organizations (POs), intellectuals, politicians, local
authorities and experts. These interactions took place in four stages and culminated into a
final draft in the same year.
The draft plan was prepared by various thematic teams appointed by KV Committee.
Following Figure 3 in column (B), the sectoral profiles for the Development concept plan was
initially prepared by the Committee's employees who (a) gathered information and data
collected by various bodies (b) did on-site inspection and (c) verified information and data in
order to reduce error. The intra-analysis and inter analysis were likely prepared initially by
KVTDC with consultations among government agencies. From this technical viewpoint,
interactions to validate the analysis took place at various four stages in fiscal year 2057/058
B.S. (2000/01) on the draft plan prepared in fiscal year 2056/057 B.S. (1999/2000). The
vision and goal setting, identification and validation of sectoral development thrusts, policy
frameworks and strategies were made through these interactions and participated in by the
concerned bodies, local authorities and experts concerned, this final draft has been prepared.
(Source: KV Concept Plan, 2012)
The detailing and refinement have yet to be continued. Operationalization of the succeeding
stages would then be necessary with the view of making the development concept and future
physical framework (detailed spatial plan) risk sensitive. This would be the content of
discussion in the next sections of this report.
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One important parameter that the KV plan has yet to incorporate is the hazard risk
information and implications aspect of Kathmandu Valley. Interviews with KVTDC, NSET,
MPPW, and MLD already pointed the following as necessary for integration in the concept
plan (among others):
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The disaster prone areas should be shown clearly in KV Plans;
Physical infrastructure must be able to mitigate the effect of disasters;
Areas for rescue and relief need to be identified and protected;
Areas for future expansion of infrastructure need to be designated;
Open spaces must be defined;
Conflicts in sensitive areas ( ex. encroachment in sensitive areas) must be identified and
addressed;
Integration of KV Plan with Local Periodic Plans;
Integration of KV Plan with Disaster Risk Management Plans.
Further queries on hazard risk information, hinted that the generation of information on
susceptibility of sites, hazards and risks may be fragmented. Several institutions and
government agencies were identified but a single data holding and management of hazard
information may not yet be possible at this time.
Secondary sources of geologic and hydro meteorological hazard information may be obtained
different agencies like Dept. of Mines and Geology (DMG), ICIMOD. For flood and rain
induced Landslides related information- DWIDR (Dept. of Water Induced Disaster
Management), DWIDP; for earthquake ground shaking – DUDBC (Dept. of Urban
Development and Building Construction) and DMG; for Earthquake induced landslides DUDBC (Dept. of Urban Development and Building Construction) and DMG; for
Liquefaction –MPPW(Ministry of Physical Planning and Works), DUDBC (Dept. of Urban
Development and Building Construction) and DMG; and Ground rupture - No specific
agency, but possibly from DMG.
For fire related hazard, information may be sought from the various Municipalities, and
MoHA (Ministry of Home Affairs).
3.8
Assessing hazard information
Updating hazards and exposure information appear critical for the Kathmandu Valley. The
succeeding process for detailing the Spatial component of the Development Concept plan
shall require updating of the previous Earthquake Impact study made in 2002 and a review of
the Flood Study in 2009 in terms of the following:
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Exposure and condition of settlements
Exposure of condition production areas
Exposure and condition of buildings and infrastructures, transport network
Exposure and condition of environmentally constrained areas
For the fire-related hazards, an updated inventory will help determine the places of highest
fire hazard risks.
The earthquake scenario that is expected to create significant destruction and disruption in the
Valley is the Mid-Nepal Earthquake (Magnitude 8). This earthquake scenario has been set
based on the seismic gap in the middle of Nepal. Except in mountainous areas, an MMI VIII
is expected to be experienced in the Valley under this scenario. If an aftershock of magnitude
7 occurred at a position nearest to the main rupture zone, Kathmandu Valley would
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experience MMI VII. Moderate liquefaction potential was identified in some areas along the
Bagmati River. The anticipated impact of the Mid-Nepal Earthquake scenario is as follows:
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Number of heavily damaged buildings: 53,000 or 21 percent of all buildings;
Death toll: 18,000 or 1.3 percent of the total Valley population in the Valley; and
Number of seriously injured people: 53,000 or 3.8 percent of the total Valley population.
The process of hazard mapping and exposure for the purpose of planning may be generalized
as follows:
At the Valley level, determine what municipalities, cities and adjoining VDCs are exposed to
a specific hazard or cluster of hazards. For this purpose the geo-hazard maps at a scale of
1:25,000-1:50,000 prepared on the following: (a) on flooding and rain-induced landslides, (b)
on hazards triggered earthquake events and (c) on weather and climate related hazards) are
prepared for the purpose of plan overlays. The hazard risk information from previous studies
(Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Nepal 2002.
The Study on Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, Kingdom of Nepal,
Volume III. ), Flood information from document -The Preparation of Flood Risk and
Vulnerability Map of the Kathmandu Valley (Government of Nepal, Ministry of Water
Resources, Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal in
2009) may be updated and validated to provide a measure of flood related risks at present and
future scenarios. New studies on Implications of Climate Change and Adaptation to the
various sectors (ex. forestry, water, health, wetlands, urban areas, among others) shall also be
incorporated. Common risks among municipalities, urbanizing areas and rural VDCs must be
identified. Clustering municipalities based on the level or risks gives the KVDA and
stakeholders the opportunity to work on the problems and solutions collectively and possibly
in an integrated manner.
Detailing of hazard or cluster of hazards for municipal or city planning. For this purpose, use
maps of larger scale say, 1:10,000 to 1:25,000, and a combination of scientific information
and community-based hazard, vulnerability, and capacity assessments may be needed. The
results of these KV level assessments should guide municipalities and VDCs to prioritize
efforts and gather detailed information on their wards.
Within the Kathmandu Valley, the risk reduction and emergency management actions that
municipalities, VDCs, sub-metropolitan and metropolitan areas will need to undertake will
depend on this severity of risks identified.
Actions and conditions needed to integrate (mainstream) the risk assessment (its analysis and
evaluation) into planning at various levels may require the following::
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Hazard maps and hazard and climate change related risk assessment prepared (new or
updated) by mandated agencies or by a third party;
A DRM group within the KVDA (a technical group) which will:
Interpret and simplify the assessments for the deliberative body and stakeholders;
Advocate awareness and better understanding of the following::
- Disaster risks, climate change risks and environmental management, rural and urban
land use management, climate proofing of structures, and community prepared ness
- Disaster risks, climate change risks and implications to economic and social
development sector
Coordinate and engage hazard (mandated) related agencies (ex. DMG, DWIDR) scientific
organizations, academe towards hazard and risk information interpretations, validation
and further research.;
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Prepare guidelines for mainstreaming DRM and Climate Change Adaptation in KV Plan
formulation and Implementation at Valley level;
Explain to Local and Valley level officials the hazards and risks and ensure that decision
makers are aware and understand of the essential characteristics of hazards and risks and
their implications to the development thrusts pursued;
Consolidate and take responsibility over these hazard risk data, translate or interpret
these into popular language, then disseminate the knowledge through various media of
communication;
Engage KVDA, MLD, MPPW, District government and Disaster management Units to
ensure that Valley-wide development and physical framework are risk sensitive and who
will seek common solutions towards hazard risk reduction and management, and climate
change adaptation among municipalities, cities and VDCs;
Engage municipalities, VDCs, District level to prepare risk sensitive periodic plans and
physical development plans and land use plans, which will implement the KV physical
framework and development objectives into reality.
3.9
Enhancing the Capacity of the Valley Planning Structure
3.9.1 DRM-sensitive Kathmandu Valley Planning Structure
In order to support the formulation and implementation of the KV framework, it must have a
responsive organizational set up as well as acquire the proper capacity to perform DRMrelated activities.
This DRM body comprising of a technical and political component, is a group at the Valley
level bureaucracy, and possibly at KVDA, dedicated to look after all DRM-related matters
especially towards the tasks in formulating a risk sensitive physical framework plan. The
activities may comprise of the following:
a. During the development concept & physical framework plan preparation stage, the
technical component of the DRM body may be cored from the thematic teams of KVDA
(or proposed KVUDC as per Development concept proposal)and shall serve as the
technical arm to provide basic awareness, technical information of the risks. DRM
technical group can be formed from any of the development sector (ex. Physical &
Infrastructure, Land Use Management, the Environmental Management Sector)). .
b. For the decision making aspect, the DRM Body may comprise of the existing deliberative
group MPPW, KVDA, MLD and joined by the Valley or District Level Disaster
Coordinating Council (DCC).
3.10 On KV Plan and Planning Processes as Risk Sensitive
The KV Development Concept of 2001 is an integrated development plan and provides a long
term policy guide for the management by the KVDA (or proposed KVUDC) of all lands,
waters, and other natural resources within its territorial jurisdiction. A comprehensive policy
means it covers for every portion of its territory, and can be subdivided into four basic policy
areas namely, settlements, infrastructure, production, and protection areas(Serote, 2004).
The areas for settlements, infrastructure, and production comprise the built-up area or the
built form while the protection area constitutes the un-built environment. The expansion of an
area follows the population growth, but left unchecked, the un-built environment is rapidly
decreased and may result in an unhealthy ecological situation (Serote, 2004). It is then
important to maintain a healthy balance between the built form and the un-built environment.
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This shall mean, in the context of the KV development plan, that forests, agricultural lands,
freshwater sources, and the like shall be kept open to create a healthy and pleasant
environment. Protection from encroachment by human settlements to prevent their
degradation is then necessary to allow these resources to continue to provide both economic
benefits and vital ecological services. Clear delineation of settlement areas, production areas,
protected areas and infrastructural areas is necessary to reduce conflicts in use. Buffers and
exclusion zones, may be a way of protecting people and their livelihoods; safe carrying
capacities, zoning and combinations of mix use, building byelaws and national codes and
standards shall be the guide towards managing urban expansion and vertical development.
A risk sensitive KV Development Concept and Physical Framework therefore is one which
incorporates DRR-sensitive policies for each of the four policy areas.
In terms of social dimensions of development; key characteristics of disaster resilient
communities adapted from works by Twigg, 2007 (among many) are as follows:
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There is community decision making regarding land use and management; (This
highlights participatory planning or engagement of stakeholders in the planning and
implementation)
Local (community) disaster plans feed into LGU development and land use planning;
Community decisions and planning regarding built environment take potential natural
hazard risks into account (including potential for increasing risks thru interference with
ecological, hydrological, geological systems) and vulnerabilities of different groups;
Security of land ownership/tenancy rights. There is low/minimal level of homelessness
and landlessness;
Communities in safe locations: community members & facilities (homes, workplaces,
public & social facilities) not exposed to hazards in high-risk areas within locality and/or
relocated away from unsafe sites;
Meeting more than the basic needs of communities.
The key strategies incorporated in the KV Plan, namely: People Involvement in Decision
Making, Environmental Protection & Management, Better Urban Planning and Safer Urban
Expansion & Management, Better Enforcement of Building Codes and bye-laws, Improved
Disaster Management and Improved Institutional Capacities for Planning & Enforcement
shall make the KV development plan and physical framework -risk sensitive. To elaborate,
aspects of the KV plan are discussed below. Content were reorganized to highlight the risk
sensitive policies following: environmental management, proper land use planning and
management, safe building construction and emergency management and pursuing disaster
resilient communities. In the later sections, guiding policies and strategies are identified
following the different development sectors.
The Kathmandu Valley Development Concept of 2001
The main objective of the KV plan was to maintain coordination between the land use and
transportation system for the well-planned urban development of the Valley. Its other
objectives, outlined in the KV report were as follows:
a. Pursue the carrying capacity as the basic ground in order to manage the population
growth in the Valley.
b. Maintain the balance between the urban growth and the scarce natural resources, by
conserving the social, economic and environmental values.
c. Improve the quantity of life of the Valley people.
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d. Select possible places for areas with transport facility and its development in order to
encourage urban development only in the designated areas.
e. Constantly monitor the land-use situation in order to manage population and urban
development.
f.
Identify the land available for urban development, and analyze its constraints and
opportunities.
g. Guide the land-use by arranging for efficient transportation.
h. Involve all the concerned stakeholders in the planning process.
In essence, the following principles had been advocated by the KV draft concept plan in order
that KV will succeed in conserving its finite natural resources and make the life of the future
generation enjoyable, by guiding the future urbanization through land use fixation, transport
management and infrastructure services. These principles are deemed risk sensitive:
Principle 1: Participatory planning and a strong engagement of Municipalities and Village
Development Committees (VDCs) in plan formulation, plan implementation and enforcement
of local and national laws.
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Central and local bodies have a prime responsibility to initiate development and
construction works in the Valley. This means that the five municipalities have to prepare
and enforce land –use plans in their respective municipal areas;
Properly plan urban development and to provide essential services and facilities to their
constituents;
Village Development committees have to give emphasis on protection of agricultural
land, natural resources and building physical infrastructures in their respective areas.
Principle 2: A Valley wide structure plan or physical framework shall be based on a
watershed development concept.
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The District Development Committees have to consolidate interrelationship of rural and
urban areas in the Valley and establish a useful and dynamic synergy among them;
Governmental and semi-governmental bodies shall formulate and implement valley-wide
programs in accordance with the structure plan (or guided by the development concept);
Principle 3: The Valley must be planned taking into consideration its natural, historical,
cultural (built) resources and its primary role in Nation building.
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The land must be utilized considering its opportunities for best and highest use and takes
into account its inherent constraints (ex. ecological fragility, hazards) and derived
constraints (ex. pollution, poverty)
In order to carry out these principles, two main strategies are pursued in the development
concept,
Strategy 1: Deconcentration of economic and capital investment in the Valley in other
regions
The implementation of this strategy involves pursuing economic diversity:
a. Developing and expanding the tourism sector and hinges on the cultural and religious
heritage of the Valley; thereby, creating employment opportunities and business;
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b. Shifting of incompatible and highly pollutive industries (e.g. carpet, ready-made-garment,
cement and brick factories) away from settlement areas and environmentally sensitive
areas.
c. Promoting state of the art but environment friendly technologies;
d. Transferring police and military premises covering much land located in inner urban areas
into the periphery of the Valley;
e. Develop traditional agricultural system commercially and protect cottage and handicraft
industries.
Strategy 2: Pursue studies that will clarify as to where and how urban development of the
Valley shall be channeled.
a. Ensure well-planned development and expansion of the Valley; Reduce sprawl,
congestion and organize built and un-built spaces
b. The boundaries of urban and rural areas of the Valley will be delineated using legal,
policy and financial measures. This is to facilitate the differentiation of development
patterns for each area and reduce the fragmentation of agricultural land. Currently, the
legal provision of minimum plot size is enforceable for the entire Valley. This encourages
farmers to give up farming and sell their land and residential plots.
c. Urban development works shall be guided in existing urban areas and in proposed urban
expansion areas.
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A minimum of 300pph may bring a change in land use patterns and densities,
because it encourages higher FAR, resulting to multi-storied apartment buildings in
place of individual low rise structures;
d. Harmonization of the physical, transport development and land use policies;
e. An extensive improvement and adjustment in the existing institutional structures and
separate laws will be made to implement the plan
i.
The Valley-wise regional planning body to be established under Nepali law will play
the role of adviser and regulator;
ii. Local authorities and sectoral agencies will be implementers and operators
iii. An act will contain provisions that these bodies will prepare their plans, programs and
projects subject to the regional plan of the Valley;
iv. A Kathmandu Valley Urban Development Committee, (currently the Kathmandu
Valley Development Authority l -KVDA) will be formed to provide the regulatory
guidelines, coordinate, and facilitate preparation and approval of plans, programs and
projects made by the various bodies in consonance with the Plan.
v. Provisions of their legislative powers to curtail annual budget of the governmental
and semi-governmental agencies which operates programs contrary to the objectives
of the Plan.
vi. Provisions of their executive powers would include the following:
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To withhold fully or partly grants and loans provided by His Majesty‟s
Government.
Regulatory powers such as cancellation of approval certificates for noncomplying designs
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Kathmandu Valley Development Guiding Policies
The following guiding policies (or goals) describe the conditions and characteristics of
sustainable development in the various land use policy areas: settlements (ex. related to urban
development & housing), economy (ex.diversification), physical infrastructure, natural
environment ( ex. open spaces, environmental management).
A risk sensitive KV Plan therefore is one which incorporates DRR-sensitive policies for each
of the above mentioned land use policy areas.
General Settlements Policy
(Source: KV 2020).
A. Regional basis
The Valley is considered as a single unit based on its geographically limited size, natural
resources and its social setting. For this, all the stakeholders having concerns with the
development of the Valley should make joint efforts in tune with the specified goals of the
proposed Plan.
B. Hierarchy of development nodes
It is imperative that the hierarchical set up of development nodes in various places of the
Valley be geared towards balanced development.
C. Interrelationship between land use and transportation
For planned urban development, the proposed Plan maintains an interrelationship between the
land-use and transportation. Proper balance between the land-use and transportation reduces
air and noise pollution, and traffic volume on the roads.
D. Land use efficiency
A land-use system should be practical and sustainably developed and managed. The land in
the outer areas will be utilized for (future)urban expansion, properly utilizing the unoccupied
land in the urban area. It also encompasses the matters of discouraging uncontrolled urban
expansion and conserving agriculture land.
E. Formulation of plan based on easy transport linkage
It was proposed to develop dense settlements in various places of the Valley through linkage,
easy and accessibility between urban settlements.
F. Accessibility to public open space
Provision of public open space in the neighbourhood and community is important from
viewpoint of plan formulation. Public open spaces are necessary in rescue works in times of
emergency and in public functions, etc.
Places which are not suitable for the construction, such as riverbanks and unstable slopes,
shall be protected through plantation or farming in such places; it will help maintain
environmental balance. Hence, a policy should be pursued to identify and protect such lands.
G. Settlement area with physical facility
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Creation of physical environment liveable for the communities is necessary from the
viewpoint of urban development.
Provision of basic infrastructures such as road, drinking water, drainage and sanitation,
proximity to community facilities such as school, play-ground, hospital, police post, market
and public transport, with proper protection and promotion of the natural environment.
H. Carrying capacity
The proposed urban expansion strategy will, to some extent, increase the carrying capacity of
the Valley. The carrying capacity of the Valley must be respected. It means its ability to
accommodate maximum population without destroying its natural resources or disrupting
environmental balance must be followed.
Urban expansion policy
(Source: KV 2020)
A. To have equitable urban expansion
The projection of the Valley's future urban population reveals that most population will
concentrate in the Kathmandu metropolitan city. This will consequently exert excessive
pressure on the services and facilities. To avert this, an equitable provision of services and
facilities and creation of employment opportunities in other towns adjoining the Valley and
increase population should be promoted.
B. To have urban expansion conforming to infrastructure capacity
In carrying out development works in any location of the Valley, the infrastructures available
should be taken into account so that such works do not cause adverse impacts on the
environment.
C. To carry out development works in the designated areas
Planned growth can be ensured with the provision of facilities and services only in the areas
designated by the plan. The haphazard urban growth can, to a larger extent, be streamlined by
concentrating economic investment in certain areas and in areas with transportation facility.
D. To control urban expansion in risky and environmentally sensitive areas
Naturally risk prone areas such as seismically active areas, liquefaction zones, steep slopes,
areas with risk of flood will be identified and construction works will be prohibited in such
areas.
Construction works in the environmentally sensitive areas such as ponds, forests and wetlands
are not appropriate areas because such areas are very necessary to maintain ecological and
environmental balance.
Urban Expansion Management Policies
(Source: KV 2020)
A. Orderly transition from rural setting to urbanization
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It is highly essential to manage urbanization process in the rural area in order to manage urban
expansion. It is also necessary to proceed with urban development in a certain pattern by
controlling the urban expansion that is taking place haphazardly.
The planned urbanization can be ensured through measures such as provision of land for the
future, classification of urban and rural land and preservation of agricultural land. Moreover,
infrastructure development, housing policies etc. are necessary to move ahead this act
strongly.
B. Delineation of urban and rural areas
The Kathmandu Valley is suffering from problems such as gradual loss of agriculture land,
lack of employment, environmental degradation, lack of infrastructures. So, it is imperative to
control urban expansion by having clear delineation of urban and rural areas.
C. Preservation of agriculture land
There is need to preserve the agriculture land in the Valley, which are as follows:
- To maintain the reservoir of underground water resources,
- To recycle/ filter the polluted air and gas emanating from the urban area,
- To meet the requirement of open space around the town.
D. Land reserved for urban development
The future urban expansion will be encouraged only in the designated areas for urban
development. A mixed land-use rather than specification of separate places for different types
of land-uses shall be pursued.
Housing Policy
An appropriate housing policy will be pursued in order to improve the form of the urban area
of the Valley and increase the supply of residential houses. Such housing schemes will be
encouraged so as to maintain certain population density in the urban area and have efficient
utilization of the limited land through development of cost-effective infrastructures.
Infrastructures Policy
Regional level infrastructures such as highway, arterial road, drinking water supply system,
sewerage, electricity and telecommunications, and unplanned urbanization will be controlled.
The land pooling and guided land development programs, which are being practiced now,
should be guided by appropriate principles.
In order to reduce the demand of motor vehicles, measures such as discouraging the use of
private vehicles and attracting the people towards public transport and encouraging pedestrian
walking in inner city will be adopted.
Provision of high capacity trolley buses on the ring road and Kathmandu-Lalitpur and
Kathmandu-Bhaktapur routes will reduce the number of motor vehicles; mitigate air pollution
and fuel consumption.
Policy measures such as improvement in the linkage of parking facility, land-use and
transport and specification of certain form and area of the cities are pursued.
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Protection of Cultural Heritage and Landscapes
A policy to protect and promote cultural and religious sites will go on in order to preserve the
age-old religion, culture and parts of the Valley. This will help develop tourism business and
consolidate the economy of the Valley.
Environmental Policy
Air quality
The air quality of the urban area in the Valley shall be improved to protect health of the
Valley inhabitants, foster tourism, attract external investment and enhance the vitality and
aesthetics of the city.
Natural resources
Forests
It is necessary to formulate a program that will sustainably utilize natural resources to
improve the living standard of the inhabitants around the areas.
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To protect the forests around the Valley as the green belt, by not allowing the increase in
settlement there and if possible to shift the currently existing settlements there to other
appropriate places;
To enhance entertainment and tourism attraction in certain areas and make provision that
the inhabitants in those areas will be the beneficiaries of the plan;
To prepare a work plan to develop leasehold forests and community forests, through the
users' committee
Rivers and rivulets
The rivers and rivulets in the Valley are playing an important role in the preservation of
underground water resources, exit of rainwater, irrigation of agriculture land, supply of
drinking water and preservation of religious and cultural activities shall be protected.
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Demarcation of river boundary has become because of changes in river flow each year;
After such demarcation, not to allow encroachment on such areas;
Extraction of sand near these water bodies will be prohibited;
To discourage the disposal of solid wastes and liquid wastes in the river;
Public gardens and parks will be built in the riverbanks on either side of the bridges;
Wetland
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It is necessary to demarcate the river & wetland areas in the survey map and control
construction works in those areas;
Local Authorities should strictly apply the rule that prohibits construction works up to 20
meters from the riverbank and allows construction works in other wetlands only in
consonance with certain standards;
Natural Calamity mitigation
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It is essential that on the one hand urban expansion and construction works here should be
controlled and on the other hand public awareness should be enhanced;
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The concerned bodies and general public will be informed in time about the risky areas
that are vulnerable to land-erosion, collapse and the geographically risky areas;
Policy on Solid Waste Management
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Solid waste management shall not only focus on collection and proper disposal, but also
focus on lesser waste generation, recycling and reuse; involvement of stakeholders in the
proper waste management;
Policy on Water Supply
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A need to regularize and manage the water supply in the Valley. It is necessary to
increase the quantity of drinking water and it is highly imperative to develop well-planned
distribution system;
A number of the water sources and quantity of water therefrom can be increased by
protecting the forests in the hilly areas around the Valley;
Rain water harvesting and storage shall be promoted;
Rural Development
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Demarcation of the rural and urban area proposed in this Plan will make it easy to
formulate separate policy and regulation for the rural area. On the one hand provision of
minimum physical infrastructures in the rural area;
The Need to Detail the Plan
The KV Plan as a public policy document is not of sufficient detail and may have to be
subjected to further detailed study (or updating) and then translated into a physical
framework. After going through spatial planning (physical framework), the policy directives
are finally translated into the basic management instruments of regulatory measures, programs
and projects which may be grouped under five development sectors: social, economic,
environmental, infrastructure, and institutional that will promote the general welfare of
Kathmandu Valley. These are shown in steps 6-7 of Figure 3.
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3.11 Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning Processes
This section will focus attention on the plan formulation steps.
Planning Data Base
Here the five sectoral development sectors (social, economy, infrastructures, environment,
institutional) themselves contribute towards developing the socio-economic and physical
profile. These same data shall form the bases for planning the different land use policy areassettlements, production, infrastructure and protection land use.
To be of more effective use for planning :
a. a common data set prepared for both sectoral development and physical framework
planning analysis;
b. the data is further processed and transformed into indicators to provide the existing
development scenario and to establish trends;
c. a lead agency shall be assigned towards harmonization or streamlining the information
requirements for planning
This must similarly be done by the municipalities in preparing their periodic plans and
component physical development plans. Eventually, the same set of data and information
derived from the periodic plan and component physical development plan shall be used to
prepare the municipal land use plan;
Thematic mapping: The thematic maps shall form the components of a Valley wide profile.
The list of thematic maps is shall cover the different units of the land use policy areas. With
regards to risk reduction, this shall include geo-hazard maps. These maps may obtained from
project reports and maps on earthquakes and floods, existing databases or from new hazard
mapping exercises. These shall be used to determine areas vulnerable to climate-related and
geologic disasters.
Disaster Risk mapping. The risk mapping exercise may be drawn from the disaster risk
assessment.
The Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA) process entails several steps. It involves an assessment
of the following: (a) hazard, (b) the vulnerabilities and risks of different elements (e.g. people,
buildings, facilities, activities, etc.) in the Valley or municipality, city and the (c)
requirements for emergency management (e.g. open spaces, open access, access routes, etc.)
Vulnerability analysis such as socio-economic vulnerability, climate change and variability
vulnerability and risk analysis related to determining severity of consequence (e.g. indirect
damages and losses, i.e. monetary loss, loss of function of specific sectors.
Understanding the implications of the risk assessment to development requires the collective
experiences and expertise of the planners, scientific experts and stakeholders in different
sectors to address these threats. To treat them as significant or not, or whether they are
impediments to development and progress, will require further evaluation by the stakeholders.
(KMC RSLUP, 2010)
Emergency management
In view of the spatial requirements for emergencies, information on possible escape routes of
an area, temporary sites for evacuation, and locations of critical infrastructures (e.g. hospitals,
water sources) may be mapped and evaluated. The basic information on critical
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infrastructures, routes, temporary sites can make use of the aerial images. The information
shall be validated on the ground as to suitability in ground conditions.
Map overlay analysis: Decision zones. Overlays comprising various thematic maps provide
for finding suitable or compatible areas or finding those in conflict with those of the other use
areas. These common areas are called decision zones. For hazard and exposure mapping, a
specific hazard map is overlaid with the existing land use map, or with other component plan
maps(ex. infrastructures, productive assets, and social infrastructures and facilities) to reveal
different levels of vulnerability or risks to the hazard
DRR-Sensitive Physical Planning Goals
If efforts had been made to ensure that the vision statement is risk sensitive, other sectoral
goals, particularly the goals of physical development, are expected to be equally risk
sensitive. Some examples drawn from the KV 2001
1.
Rational population distribution. For the KV 2001 it means dispersion to prevent overconcentration of development in the metropolitan cities. At the local scale, rational
population distribution may mean promoting the development of human settlements in
hazard-free and well-serviced locations.
2.
Environmental integrity maintained. This means that protected areas remain protected at
all times. This is both the means and end of disaster risk reduction.
DRR-Sensitive Spatial Strategies
In drawing up a KV physical framework, a preferred spatial strategy (or spatial form) that
will support the objectives of the KV development concept and in general the people‟s vision
for their community is needed.
The physical framework of the KV development concept would be this form and will serve
as the organizing concept to guide the detailed elaboration of the Valley wide land use plan
and its implementing tools such as the zoning ordinances.
3.
Demand-supply balancing of land for urban development. In projecting the future
demand of land for urban development, the following exclusion areas help identify
available areas for urban expansion: (Serote, 2005):
4.
a.
the land areas of existing settlements in hazard prone araes are added to the total
demand.
b. available land areas for future urban development which are highly susceptible to
types of hazards are excluded from considerationif mitigation is not cost effective.
c. Protected areas and environmentally constrained areas, are considered not available
for urban expansion purposes.
The result of the demand-supply balancing process will indicate whether or not there will be a
need to augment supply to satisfy the demand. Measures such as in-filling, densification, and
urban renewal/redevelopment, agricultural land conversion are among other ways of meeting
demand.
5.
Designing alternative spatial strategies or urban forms. Generation of alternative spatial
strategies is a major activity in the crafting of risk sensitive physical framework. The
spatial strategy is the form or pattern of physical development of the city that will
contribute to the realization of the long-term vision. Each form that is generated is
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envisioned to establish a sustainable balance between the built and natural environment
with considerations of natural hazards, risks and their possible management.
6.
The evaluation of the alternative spatial strategies aims to analyse and determine the
advantages and disadvantages of each strategy
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Sectoral development issues and concerns. The sectoral profile, thematic maps,
hazard risks and other data outputs are used to describe the development issues and
concerns. In the context of the KV plan, the previously identified problems and
concerns that still resurfaces are documented in the updating. These are then
reviewed, validated, prioritized and formed the various sectoral issues and concerns
in the RSLUP. Their implications and their possible solutions may be discussed in
workshops.
Sectoral development objectives and targets. These are derived from the vision
statement. The development goals and targets are framed from these development
issues and concerns.
Sectoral strategies and policies. These comprise the principles and values that guide
the formulation and implementation of proposed sectoral programs and projects. As
with the KV plan, they include: i) the spatial trends of settlement expansion, ii)
economic concentration and specialization and iii) environmental concerns, iv)
capacity development and v) risk reduction and adaptation. Spatial content or
implications of the different development are then included in the KV frameworkand
into the zoning policies, ordinance and other proposed local legislation.
Sectoral Programs and Projects. Programs and projects necessary to realize the
objectives and achieve the targets of the sectors and subsectors are identifies in the
development plan and may be integrated in periodic plans.
The outputs of this stage, however, are still subject to public consultation. It is
expected that the public consultation will result in a consensus on the final vision
statement and the preferred spatial strategy.
7.
Evaluation and selection of the preferred strategy. The preferred spatial strategy served
as a takeoff point for the preparation of the draft RSLUP. The main activities included
identifying and mapping the general land use policy areas, namely: settlements,
protection, production and infrastructure. The preferred urban form is also reflected in
the land use plan.
8.
Detailing the land use plan. The chosen spatial strategy or urban form will now become
the organizing concept for detailing the land use plan and the zoning ordinance and other
implementing instruments.
3.12 Toward DRR related Implementation Tools
The following implementation tools were obtained from the KV 2001 report, E-learning
discussion forums and adaptations from works of Serote, 2004, Comprehensive Land Use
Plan and Management of Local Territories, Property, Patrimony and Territory: Foundations of
Land Use Planning in the Philippines; School of Urban and Regional Planning, UPPLANADES)pp.371-386.
Zoning
Drafting the Zoning Ordinance, which basically translates the risk-sensitive land use plan into
a implementing tool, are based on the preferred land use plan and initial land use policy
frameworks. It is then necessary for the KVDA (or KVUDC) to enforce strongly the derived
zoning and to impose penalties and fines on violators of its provision. This should be an
effective deterrent against undesirable acts such as the following:
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a. Settlement encroachments into “no build” zones.
b.
Violations in development plan and building plan permitting
c. Non-conformance of allowed occupancy use
d. Non-conformance of construction work with approved plans or building bye-laws and
codes
The following ideas are intended to enhance the policy content of zoning ordinances.
1.
Hazard-prone areas shall be included among areas to be included in protected zones. As
“no-build” zones, necessary easements and buffers are in place to benefit the affected
population.
2.
Water and environment sensitive urban design standards shall be enforced..
3.
Open space requirements must be determined and followed.
4.
In a watershed approach, interrelationships and impacts of upland activities on lowland
areas are considered in evaluating the compatibility of existing and proposed land uses.
5.
Municipal physical development plan components in periodic plans must follow the
building bye-laws and zoning ordinances implemented by their land use plans. Similarly,
municipal and city land use plans and periodic plans must be guided by the Valley wide
physical framework (spatial) plan.
Safe Building By-Laws
Safe building construction is the ultimate purpose of the Nepal (National) Building Code and
should be integrated in the local building bye-laws. The structure, functions, resources and
equipment must be determined by the KVDA and the component municipalities, VDCs and
cities in order that strong enforcement is ensured.
1.
The building by-laws (Valley wide) should be more responsive to local needs and
peculiarities, but guided by National Building Code.
2.
Strictly enforce safe engineering standards especially in the design and construction of
building structures and their foundations.
3.
Monitoring, assessment and evaluation programs for existing structures must be in place.
A recommendation statement is expected for their possible repairs, rehabilitation or
retrofits.
4.
regularly monitor the structural and environmental quality of residential districts and
institute appropriate treatment measures ranging from conservation to rehabilitation to
redevelopment. Depending on the approaches taken to manage urban expansion ( i.e. to
develop further outwards) either through balancing built and un-built space requirements,
preserving open spaces, non-conversion or remaining lands, adjusting systems to more
compact and efficient forms; monitoring, assessment and evaluation programs must be in
place.
Co-management, PPP Arrangements
Co-management is the facility that allows Ministries through (KVDA) and local governments
to exercise joint responsibility for the management of areas that lie within the territorial
jurisdiction. Hence in the case of the Valley, the municipalities, cities and VDCs co-manage
with KVDA (or KUVDC). This co-management principle may include enforcement of
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national building codes, enforcing- Valley wide building bye-laws and zoning ordinances, comanaging the environment and natural resource areas (forest land areas):
Public Investment Programming
The annual investment program should be the principal instrument for implementing the KV
plan. Likewise, municipal periodic plan may draw upon annual budgets for its risk sensitive
programs, projects and activities.
Private Investments Incentives
Toward DRM-compliant private investment incentives, the Valley may consider:
1.
Giving fiscal and monetary rewards (tax –subsidies) to private firms that are DRRcompliant.
2.
Environmental Impact Assessment & Monitoring, Environmental Management programs
put in place by the private investor, may receive incentives.
Taxation
Taxation can also have a regulatory effect. It can deter undesirable acts and promote desirable
ones. Consider the following ideas.
1.
Adopt the “polluter pays” principle. Project proponents whose projects are determined to
cause risks to the local population should pay the intended or unintended effects.
2.
Penalties and fines should be used to compensate victims of man-made risks (ex. poor fire
proofing of buildings, building collapses).
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3.13 References
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, 2007, Science, Knowledge Sharing and Planning for
Megacities Disaster Risk Reduction. Quezon City, Philippines.
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, 2007, Urban and Megacities Disaster Risk Reduction –
Manual of Sound Practices. Quezon City, Philippines.
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, 2007, Transfer of Disaster Risk Reduction Lessons:
Disaster Risk Management Master Planning in Asian Megacities. Quezon City,
Philippines.
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, 2008, Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in
Megacities: A Pilot Application in Metro Manila and Kathmandu. Quezon City,
Philippines.
Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Nepal. 2002.
The Study on Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in the Kathmandu Valley, Kingdom of
Nepal, Volume III.
Joshi, Padma Sunder, 2004. The State of Urbanization, Land Use and Transportation Planning
Issues in Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley Environment Outlook, ICIMOD, International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development, Kathmandu. 2007
Municipality Profile of Nepal, a socio-economic development data base of Nepal. Intensive
Study and Research Center (Kathmandu). 2008.
National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) to Climate Change, Ministry of
Environment, 2010
National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management,Government of Nepal, 2009
National Urban Policy 2064 (2004), Government of Nepal Unofficial Translation, Nepal
Government
Nepal DesInventar Database, NSET 2011
Ministry of Physical Planning and Works,Department of Urban Development and Building
Construction, Babar Mahal
Pokharel, J.R. 2006. A Policy Study on Urban Housing in Nepal prepared for Economic
Policy Network. Government of Nepal/ Ministry of Finance and Asian Development
Bank, Nepal Resident Mission
Pradhan, Riddhi. 2004. Seismicity and Traditional Buildings of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
Pradhan and Perera. 2005. Urban Growth and Its Impact on the Livelihoods of Kathmandu
Valley, Nepal.
Risk-sensitive Land Use Plan of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal; Mainstreaming
Disaster Risk Reduction in megacities: A Pilot-Application in Metro Manila and
Kathmandu; Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative & The German Federal Foreign
Affairs Office through the Deutches Komitee Katasrophenvorsorge
Sectoral Profile of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal; A Pilot-Application in Metro
Manila and Kathmandu; Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative & The German Federal
Foreign Affairs Office through the Deutches Komitee Katasrophenvorsorge
Serote, E. 2004. Property, Patrimony & Territory: Foundations of Land Use Planning in the
Philippines. School of Urban and Regional Planning. University of the Philippines. C-9,
pp.347-387
Serote, E. (2005): Rationalized Local Planning System in the Philippines, School of Urban
and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines, unpublished
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Sharma P., 2003. Population Monograph of Nepal Volume 1: Urbanization and development.
Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu.
Shrestha, 2000. Building a Disaster Resistant Community in Kathmandu: A Community
Based Approach
Urban Indicators for Managing Cities: Cities Data Book, 2001
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3.14 Electronic Sources
Bendimerad, Fouad, Jim Buika, Jeannette Fernandez, Shirley Mattingly, Marqueza Reyes,
Elizabeth Van Boskirk, 2007 Urban and Megacities Disaster Risk Reduction: Manual of
Sound Practices, Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative Publication. Web reference at:
http://www.emi-megacities.org/?page=resources.
Buika, J., Bendimerad, F., Fernandez, J., Mattingly S., Solidum, R. 2006. [Online] Transfer of
Disaster Risk Reduction Lessons: Disaster Risk Management Master Planning in Asian
Megacities.
Available at: http://www.emi-megacities.org/upload/paper_lessons_
transfer_07_buika.pdf
Central Bureau of Statistics. National Report 2001 [Online]. Available at:
http://www.cbs.gov.np/national_report_2001.php
Central Bureau of Statistics. 2003-2004. Nepal Living Standards Survey. [Online]. Available
at: www. apps.yomari.net/contents/filedownloadservlet?fileidstr=1390...filedoc
City Profiles. [Online]. Available at: http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/Cities_Data_
Book/06chapter6.pdf
Climatology of Air Pollution in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. [Online]. Available at:
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/articles-58960_SPokhrel_Thesis.pdf
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, 2007, Cross-Cutting Capacity Development Program
(3cd Program) Home Page with references to related documents and resources:
http://www.emi-megacities.org/?page=program1&content=9.
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, 2007, Stakeholders Evaluation of the Cross-Cutting
Capacity Development Program in Metro Manila, Philippines. Web reference:
http://www.emi-megacities.org/?page=resources.
Fernandez, J., The School Earthquake Safety Program (SESP). NSET. [Online]. Available at:
http://emi.pdc.org/soundpractices/Kathmandu/SP1-KMC-School-Safety-Program.pdf
Kathmandu Metropolitan City at a glance. [Online].
Available at:
www.wako.ac.jp/~bambang/jica-disaster/Oct20/KathmanduMetropolitanCity.doc
Kitakyusu Initiative for Clean Environment. Kathmandu. [Online]. Available at:
http://kitakyushu.iges.or.jp/cities/cities/kathmandu.html
Macroeconomic Situation (2007/08 Nepal Rastra Bank). [Online]. http://www.nrb.org.np/
ofg/recent_macroeconomic/Recent_Macroeconomic_Situation_(English)--200708_Text%20_(%20_Based%20on%20first%20eleven%20Month%20Data%20of%20200
6-07).pdf
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of Archeology. 2007.
Integrated Management Plan for the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site Draft
[Online]. Available at: www.doa.gov.np
Ministry of Home Affairs. (Online). Available at: www.moha.gov.np
Ministry of Local Development. Kathmandu Municipality. [Online]. Available at:
http://www.mld.gov.np/municipalities/kathmandu.htm
National Planning Commission. Nepal Three-year Interim Plan 2007-2010. [Online].
Available at: www.npc.gov.np
Nepal: Preparing the Kathmandu Valley Water Distribution, Sewerage, and Urban
Development
Project.
2006.
[Online].
Available
at:
http://www.adb.org/Documents/TARs/NEP/34304-NEP-TAR.pdf
Noise Pollution High in Kathmandu. [Online]. The Sunday Post, March 16, 2003, Available
at: http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishweekly/sundaypost/2003/mar/mar16
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Pradhan P.M., Solid Waste Management Crisis in Kathmandu Valley. (Online). Available at:
http://archive.oneworld.net/article/view/93380
Public-Private Partnership Water Supply and Waste Water Treatment in Kathmandu
Metropolitan
City.
(Online)
Available
at:
http://kitakyushu.iges.or.jp/docs/sp/water/2%20Kathmandu.pdf
Shakya, Purusotam. 2003. Air pollution in Kathmandu Valley. [Online]. Available at:
http://www.unescap.org/esd/environment/kitakyushu/urban_air/Kathmandu%20Final.pd
Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilization. Diagnostic Report On State Of Solid
Waste Management In Municipalities Of Nepal. 2004. [Online]. Available at:
http://www.mld.gov.np/swm/relatingdata.htm
The
School
Earthquake
Safety
Program.
[Online].
Available
at:
http://emi.pdc.org/soundpractices/Kathmandu/SP1-KMC-School-Safety-Program.pdf
The Preparation of Flood Risk and Vulnerability Map of the Kathmandu Valley, Government
of Nepal, Ministry of Water Resources, Department of Water Induced Disaster
Prevention, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal
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Annex 4: Delivarable 4 & 5L Selection of
Municipalities Urbanizing VDCs for
RSLUP
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Technical Services for Strengthening Risk
Sensitive Land Use Planning and
Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal
Delivarable 4 & 5: Selection of Municipalites Urbanizing VDCs for
RSLUP
`
Submitted to:
UNDP Nepal
-
Prepared by:
Earthquakes and Megacities
Initiative (EMI)
National Society for Earthquake
Technology-Nepal (NSET)
December 2012
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ABOUT THE DOCUMENT
This document is the main component of Deliverable 4: Selection of Municipalities
Urbanizing VDCs for RSLUP of the project. The document serves as a guide for the
Kathmandu Valley Development Authority and municipalities in formulating their risk
sensitive land use plans. This report is submitted as part of the last set of deliverables of the
project under the Strengthening Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and Implementation
(RSLUP) in Nepal Project.
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CONTRIBUTORS
EMI
Fouad Bendimerad, Ph.D., P.E., Seismology and Earthquake Risk Expert
Renan Tanhueco, Ph.D., Urban and Regional Land Use Planning Expert
Mr. Jerome Zayas, Task Manager
Mr. Moses Kent Borinaga, Project Coordinator
Ms. Bernadette Magtaas, Editor
NSET
Mr. Amod Mani Dixit, Senior Expert
Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, Task Manager
Mr. Surya Narayan Shrestha, Senior Expert
Mr. Gopi Krishna, GIS Expert
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank Dr. Bijan Khazai for his comments, suggestions and assistance on
model development for the VDC selection process.
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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
The document is a product of the Strengthening Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and
Implementation (RSLUP) in Nepal Project. The content of the document is jointly owned by
the Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) and the National Society of Earthquake
Technology (NSET), Nepal and as such indicated: Copyright© 2012 EMI and NSET
The concepts, methods, data and tools (e.g. mainstreaming approach, risk sensitive land use
planning model and others) used in the document and are originally owned by the
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) prior to the project, are and remain the sole
intellectual property of EMI as indicated in EMI‟s prior documents, reports, and internal
communications.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Annex 4:
Delivarable 4 & 5L Selection of Municipalities Urbanizing VDCs
for RSLUP.................................................................................... 405
About the Document ....................................................................................................... 407
Contributors .................................................................................................................... 408
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ 409
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 410
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
Selection of Municipalities Urbanizing Village Development Committees
(VDCs) for Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning ............................................ 413
4.1.1
Background and Context .............................................................................413
4.1.2
Summary of Analysis ...................................................................................413
Kathmandu Valley Trends .......................................................................... 414
4.2.1
Location ........................................................................................................414
4.2.2
Administrative Division .................................................................................414
4.2.3
Settlements and Population Trends .............................................................415
Key Challenges of the Kathmandu Valley Disaster Resiliency ................... 416
4.3.1
Basic Services..............................................................................................416
4.3.2
Land Use ......................................................................................................417
Disaster Risks ............................................................................................ 418
4.4.1
Earthquake Risks .........................................................................................418
4.4.2
On Floods, Landslides and Debris Flow ......................................................419
Selection of Municipalities and VDCs for risk sensitive planning ................ 419
4.5.1
Selection Process for Municipalities ............................................................420
4.5.2
Selection Process for VDCs .........................................................................420
4.5.2.1
Criteria Selection and Data Used ................................................. 420
4.5.2.2
Results of the Selection process .................................................. 423
4.5.2.3
Stability of Results ........................................................................ 425
4.6
Conclusions ............................................................................................... 425
4.7
References ................................................................................................ 426
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TABLE OF FIGURE
Figure 4.1:
The Kathmandu Valley Districts and Village Development Committees (VDC) ..........415
Figure 4.2:
Figure 2. Hierarchy of Urban Areas in Kathmandu Valley...........................................416
Figure 4.3:
Structure of Decision Model and Weight Assignment .................................................423
Figure 4.4:
Ranking Results on VDCs ...........................................................................................424
Figure 4.5:
Geographic presentation on Ranking of VDCs Vulnerability Index .............................425
LIST OF TABLE
Table 4.1:
Data Used for Prioritizing Urbanizing VDCs ................................................................420
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4.1
Selection of Municipalities Urbanizing Village Development
Committees (VDCs) for Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning
4.1.1 Background and Context
This document presents the process for selecting Kathmandu Valley (KV) Urbanizing Village
Development Committees (VDCs) that can be programmed for risk sensitive planning
together with the adjoining municipalities of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Kirtipur,
Lalitpur, Madhyapur-Thimi, and Bhaktapur.
In a review of the first RSLUP by KMC in January 2012, and a workshop on making the KV
2020 development plan risk sensitive conducted with EMI, NSET and UNDP-Nepal, the need
to integrate KMC‟s RSLUP with a similarly risk sensitive Kathmandu Valley physical
framework plan was highlighted. KMC RSLUP updating and completion is believed to hinge
upon a KV physical framework. A three-year plan was proposed in the KMC RSLUP
document on how the KV plans and local land use plans in the Valley can be made risk
sensitive.
The identification of the VDCs is one of the important steps in risk sensitive planning for the
Kathmandu Valley, with the belief that the land use plans of the municipalities and adjacent
areas should be risk sensitive. From a regional perspective, planning of urbanized and
urbanizing areas is a logical step, since it can address development pressures and avoid
sprawl, at the same time, promote economic progress and stability over the region, in this case
the Kathmandu Valley.
Building upon the prior experiences of EMI in crafting the Kathmandu Metropolitan City
Disaster Risk Management Master Plan (KMC DRMMP) 2005-2006, and the KMC Risk
Sensitive Land Use Plan (KMC RSLUP) 2008-2010, the momentum is strong for risk
sensitive land use planning of adjoining areas of KMC, the four other municipalities including
urbanizing VDCs.
4.1.2 Summary of Analysis
The Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan (RSLUP) developed in 2010 and adopted in 2012 covers
Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The RSLUP does not include the remaining four
municipalities and more than 50 VDCs. Based on a workshop in 20128 on making the
Kathmandu Valley Development Plan (KV 2020) risk sensitive, it became apparent that submetropolitan municipalities and urbanizing VDC land use plans clearly need to be (disaster)
risk sensitive.
The inclusion of all Kathmandu Valley (KV) districts with the five municipalities for risk
sensitive land use planning is necessary. The physical development expansion of any of these
areas (especially KMC) has already outpaced the capacities of local governments to deal with
the development pressures. Densification of inner areas and redevelopment need proper
guidance and sensitivity to natural hazards and disaster risks.
8
Framework for RSLU Planning (Road Map for Making Kathmandu Valley Development Concept Plan Risk Sensitive: Frameworks and
Processes, 29 May 2012 by EMI-NSET and UNDP-Nepal, Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI), National Society for Earthquake
Studies (NSET), UNDP Nepal
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A decision criteria based on a vulnerability index was developed to provide screening or
inclusion of VDCs for RSLUP preparation. Exposure to hazards, damage rates and lesser
adaptability are the three sub-criteria that weighs on the over-all vulnerability. Considerations
for exposure include ratio of population to buildings and the number of schools. Damage rates
are decided on the recorded number of casualties (deaths), affected population, damage in
roads and crops from past disaster events. Adaptability is decided based on the open space
allocation per person. Higher population counts and with more schools mean greater
exposure. VDCs with higher number of casualties, affected population or damage 9 are taken
as showing signs of greater vulnerability. Less open space allocation per person, means lesser
areas for evacuation and recreation, thus, greater vulnerability to disasters (earthquakes,
floods).
The top ten VDCs with highest overall vulnerability index include Chhaling, Thatali,
Dhapasi, Balkot, Jhaukhel, Duwakot, Phukulachhi, Gokarnershwar, Katunje and Sirutar. Most
of these VDCs are located in the immediate north and east of Kathamandu Metropolitan City,
and surrounding the municipalities of Bhaktapur and Madhyapur. The higher vulnerability
indices follow this spread of population into VDCs in the north, east and northeast. Much of
this expansion had been unplanned, and occurred in a haphazard way on formerly agricultural
and marginal lands.
It has to be emphasized that the data are few and aggregated, and hence, prioritization of
VDCs can quickly shift, for example, from a surge of fatality counts and damage even from a
single disaster event.
Nevertheless, a logical structure is developed, and that weights can be emphasized on
exposure and lesser adaptability to reduce this concern. In future considerations, when
damage information is more complete and robustly determined, the weight on this aspect can
be increased. The remaining sections discuss briefly the model development and results.
4.2
Kathmandu Valley Trends
4.2.1 Location
Kathmandu Valley lies between the latitudes 27º 32‟ 13” and 27º 49‟ 10” north and longitudes
85º 11‟ 31” and 85º 31‟ 38” east. It is located at roughly at elevation 1300-1400 meters above
sea level.
4.2.2 Administrative Division
The Kathmandu Valley (KV) administrative area is composed of three (3) Valley districts
with five (5) municipalities, namely: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Kirtipur,
Lalitpur, Madhyapur-Thimi, and Bhaktapur, and about 98 Village Development Committees
(VDCs) adjacent to these municipalities (see Figure 4.1). Most of these are within the
Baghmati River Basin.
9
Numbers are based on all types of disaster events and not disaggregated by type. Earthquake impacts are not likely included. Some of
the VDCs have no record.
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
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4.2.3 Settlements and Population Trends
Kathmandu Valley has a population of more than 1.5 million in 2001 and approximately 2.50
million in 201110, with Kathmandu City, Kirtipur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Madhyapur Thimi
as the core urban areas. The Valley provides for the basic utilities and facilities such as, water,
electricity, gas, sanitation telecommunication, roads and transport, and education, among
others. For Kathmandu City, it was already reported in 200111 that sprawl had spilled over
toward the outer ring road, an urban fringe immediately outside of the Ring Road. The rural
sector comprising the rural hinterland showed signs of urban influences such as the presence
of economic activities directed at servicing the urban market. This trend is illustrated in
Figure 4.2.
Figure 4.1: The Kathmandu Valley Districts and Village Development Committees (VDC)
10
11
National Census, Nepal
KV 2020 report. Also, the projected population of Kathmandu Valley in 2020 was estimated at 2.5 million compared to 1.6 million in
2001. (KVTDC, 2002)
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Based on the Kathmandu Valley Competitiveness Assessment Study: Metropolitan Trends and
Issues in the Kathmandu Valley12, urbanization has been more rapid than predicted with an
annual growth rate of about 5.6%. This was a result of in-migration from rural areas due to
economic reasons and security concerns. According to the report, the spread of the population
into VDCs in the north, west and northwest was observed in 2011. Population ballooned in
the direction of the west, east and north of the Ring road. Much of this expansion had been
unplanned, and occurred in a haphazard way on formerly agricultural and marginal lands.
Figure 4.2: Hierarchy of Urban Areas in Kathmandu Valley
4.3
Key Challenges of the Kathmandu Valley Disaster Resiliency
The following key challenges to Kathmandu Valley that need to be addressed to improve
resiliency of the Valley and at the same time improve the quality of life of residents.
4.3.1 Basic Services
A study by MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP (2007) states that “rapid urbanization in the Valley
has been guided by several factors such as a concentration of political and economic power
resulting in employment opportunities and multiple activities; availability of urban basic
services such as water, roads, electricity, and telephones; proximity to work areas such as
administrative centres and industries; location of an international airport and tourist centres;
push factors in rural areas such as natural calamities, unemployment, and social stigma.”
12
Final report, World Bank, 29 June 2012
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Water Sector. Water accessibility is a problem and only about 64% of the Valley population
has access to water within 200m.13 The quality of piped water is generally poor, though an
assessment must be conducted to determine the actual conditions.
Power Sector. As of May 2012, (electric power) load shedding was still occurring in
Kathmandu City with an average of 8 to 9 hours per day. Houses and businesses resorted to
the use of LPG, petrol and diesel fuel and, thus, business competitiveness was affected.
Transport and Linkages. The main road network inside the Kathmandu Valley consists of
corridors, from east to west and from north to south, with a Ring Road surrounding the cities
of Kathmandu and Patan (see Figure 2). Several radial roads also exist, some radiating from
the city core area and others from the Ring Road. These were not constructed according to
Nepal‟s road standards and possibly less maintained. Aside from these, there are 33 urban
roads in Kathmandu District, 10 in Lalitpur District and 11 in Bhaktapur District. According
to the Department of Roads‟ database, most of these urban roads are narrow and heavily built
up on both sides.14
Bridges. Since most of the bridges were built and supported by various foreign aid agencies,
there is no standard bridge design in Kathmandu Valley.
Airport. The Tribhuvan Airport located in Kathmandu City is the only international airport in
Nepal. It has two (2) passenger terminals for domestic and international flights. The airport is
built on terrace deposits with stiff ground. In case of an earthquake disaster and the
international airport is damaged, the whole nation would be in danger of being completely
isolated from the rest of the world.
4.3.2 Land Use
Kathmandu is the centre for major industries15 such as carpets, garments, finance and tourism,
as well as health and educational services. Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) comprises
residential and commercial areas but has eighteen (18) land use types with roads occupying a
significant land area. Lalitpur municipality is predominantly comprised of residential and
commercial areas classified as mixed land use, followed by cultivation and institutional areas.
The municipalities of Bhaktapur and Kirtipur are largely cultivation areas. Mixed and
institutional are the secondary land uses in Bhaktapur while, in Kirtipur, secondary uses are
plantation and mixed land use. Madhyapur Thimi Municipality is mainly a cultivation area
with secondary use as a mix of residential and commercial types, and institutional land use.
Mixed land uses are predominant in KMC and LSMC where lands are used for residential and
commercial purposes. VDCs in close proximity to these municipalities and cities used to have
a significant percentage of cultivation areas. Urbanization in these cultivation areas was noted
to be most susceptible to haphazard urbanization.16
13
Valley Competitiveness Assessment Study: Metropolitan Trends and Issues in the Kathmandu Valley, Final report, World Bank, 29 June
2012
14
KMC Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan, 2010
15
16
Kathmandu Valley Profile. Briefing Paper, Pant, P.R and Dongol, D., Governance and Infrastructure Development challenges in
Kathmandu Valley, Workshop, 11-13 February, 2009, KMC, Nepal
Op cit
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These concerns had been in existence for the past decade. In highly urbanized areas, loss of
open space continues and construction of structures on lots of inappropriate sizes or without
considerations for road rights-of-way was rampant (MoEST, ICIMOD and UNEP, 2007).
The lack of riverbank protection has resulted in the erosion of banks, encroaching into
adjoining properties and putting the inhabitants at risk. Unplanned settlements and structures,
built without consideration of natural hazards aggravates the situation.
4.4
Disaster Risks
The anticipated disaster in the Kathmandu Valley under the Mid-Nepal Earthquake scenario is
characterized by heavy damage to 53,000 buildings, 18,000 deaths and 53,000 serious injuries
(1991 census data). The risk to life in terms of number of deaths and injuries is more likely to
be much higher over the same areas considering today‟s density in buildings and population.
An inventory of building densities and characteristics, and the number of population and
occupancy types has yet to commence.
4.4.1 Earthquake Risks
The risk from earthquakes and its impacts have been extensively discussed in many reports.
A few important points can be repeated here17:

Nepal is a highly seismic area due to its position along major active tectonic setting caused
by the subduction of the Indian plate under the Tibetan plate, which moves at a very high
geological rate and has caused the creation of the Himalayas. Another generator of
earthquakes in the Kathmandu Valley is the seismic gap zone in the middle of Nepal.
 Since 1255, where the earthquake catalogue starts, about 12 major earthquakes (all
believed to be at least equal or greater than Magnitude 7) have affected Nepal. They
include earthquakes in the following years: 1255, 1408, 1681, 1803, 1810, 1833, and 1869,
1913, 1916, 1934 and 1936 with the M8.3 1934 earthquake being the largest magnitude
earthquake recorded killing 4,300 people and destroying 20% of all structures in the
Valley and damaging another 40%. In Kathmandu itself, one quarter of all homes were
destroyed along with a number of temples in Bhaktapur. Thus, the historical seismicity
indicates a return time for earthquakes of M>=7 of about 75 years in the country.
In terms of intensity, the earthquake catalogue indicates that one should expect an intensity 8
or greater to take place every 36 years on average, and an intensity 9 or greater every 75
years. These intensities will cause catastrophic damages in the city.
More alarming is the fact that many of these earthquakes tend to cluster into two zones, one of
which is around Kathmandu, where five earthquakes of M>= 7 have taken place since 1800.
Even more alarming is the fact that physical vulnerability is extremely high because of a
number of aggravating factors, including:

17
The large number of old brick and mortar buildings, the lack of any consideration to
earthquake loads in the design and construction of buildings and other structures, the lack
of structural maintenance, the frequent structural modifications done to buildings to create
open areas for commerce, and the high density of buildings.
KMC RSLUP, 2010
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
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
The high potential for fire following and potential for hazardous material release that could
follow an earthquake due to mix uses of residential, commercial and industrial functions,
lack of enforcement of fire safety and hazardous material regulation, and basic safety
requirements, as well as high density of buildings. These secondary hazards could
aggravate the damage and losses from the shaking.
 The extreme difficulties that will be experienced after an earthquake to organize rescue
and relief operations, to provide emergency shelter, and temporary housing due to the lack
of open space in the city; as well as, delivering any other emergency response function
such as ensuring public safety and fire fighting, due to congestion, high level of debris on
the streets and lack of access due to building collapse and debris.
 Critical facilities such as schools, hospitals, public safety buildings, essential public
buildings, banks, and others important facilities are likely to sustain heavy damages and
not be functional after an earthquake.
 Damage to infrastructure mainly water, wastewater and sanitation, drainage, transportation
system (including airport and main bridges), power, communication, fuel supply and food
supply systems are likely to also be disabled for several days, if not months.
4.4.2 On Floods, Landslides and Debris Flow
Flood, landslides and debris flow. There are more than 6,000 rivers and streams in Nepal,
most of which flow from north to south generally at high velocity due to steep river gradient.
The majority of the larger rivers are snow-fed from the Himalayas. Since the topography of
the country is steep and rugged, with high-angle slopes and complex geology, large quantities
of rainfall during the monsoon season lead to floods, landslides, and debris flows in a number
of cities. In July 1993, the Tarai region experienced a destructive flood that claimed the lives
of 1,336 people and affected another 487,534. In 1998, floods and landslides again affected
Tarai and other parts of the country including the middle Hill region killing 273, injuring at
least 80, and impacting 33,549 families. The floods and landslides also ruined the agricultural
sector, destroying 45,000 hectares of crops. Similar flooding occurred in 1999 and continues
to occur annually.
These conditions are driving constraint parameters that need to be resolved in the RSLUP,
through a change of vision and paradigm for development and through education and
awareness. Strategies and actions of a risk sensitive land use plan (RSLUP) would be aimed
at reducing vulnerability and improving emergency management capabilities.
4.5
Selection of Municipalities and VDCs for risk sensitive planning
The Risk Sensitive Land Use Plan developed in 2010 and adopted in 2012 covers KMC. The
RSLUP does not include the remaining four municipalities and 98 VDCs . Based on a
concluded workshop in 201218 on making the Kathmandu Valley Development Plan (KV
2020) risk sensitive, it became apparent that Sub metropolitan municipalities and urbanizing
VDC land use plans clearly need to be (disaster) risk sensitive. This, however, requires that a
planning framework and process be available at the Valley level to conduct risk sensitive
planning. As an output, a KV physical framework plan must be first sensitive to hazards and
18
Framework for RSLU Planning (Road Map for Making Kathmandu Valley Development Concept Plan Risk Sensitive: Frameworks and
Processes), 29 May 2012 by EMI-NSET and UNDP-Nepal, Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI), National Society for Earthquake
Studies (NSET), UNDP Nepal
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risks in order to guide the lower level plans. The suggestions to expand the risk sensitive land
use planning to the Valley area is recognized as an important phase to Kathamandu Valley
Disaster Resiliency to ensure risks are mitigated and that disasters are practically prevented
all over the Valley19.
4.5.1 Selection Process for Municipalities
To address urban development pressures mentioned earlier, the inclusion of all Kathmandu
Valley (KV) Valley districts with the five municipalities, namely: Kathmandu Metropolitan
City (KMC), Kirtipur, Lalitpur, Madhyapur-Thimi, and Bhaktapur in the risk sensitive land
use planning is automatic. The physical development expansion of any of these municipalities
(especially KMC) will likely affect these urbanized areas first because of the availability of
services and existing road linkages already supporting urban functions, among others.
Densification of inner areas and redevelopment need proper guidance through land use
planning and management, transport and traffic management, and building rules that are risksensitive.
4.5.2 Selection Process for VDCs
Limited resources pose constraints on KVDA in conducting simultaneous planning for the 98
Village Development Committees (VDCs). The urbanizing VDCs adjacent to these five
municipalities could be given priority as these are the next likely areas that will have to deal
with the development pressures. The prioritization of areas is given in the following sections.
4.5.2.1 Criteria Selection and Data Used
From the standpoint of planning, looking into the amount of open space, population counts or
rates and disaster experiences can be useful in defining adaptability, exposure to hazards,
and damage rates. Given the limited information available to compare VDCs, an initial
screening of urbanizing and non-urbanizing areas was decided by NSET. Out of the 98 VDCs,
54 were classified as highly urbanizing VDCs. From this group, the criteria with the
corresponding weights were developed using the data shown in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1: Data Used for Prioritizing Urbanizing VDCs
Locations
Exposure elements
All hazards count on Disasters, Damages & Affected in
the last 10 years20
S2S1S-4
S-5
building
Casualt
S-3
Damage
damage
Damages
y
Affecte
s in
_
in crops
(death_i
d popn
roads
destroye
Ha.
njury)
Mts
d
Adaptability
VDC Name
Popn
GRate
2009
Popn
2009
Bldg
2009
Rati
o
Pop/
Bldg
No. of
school
s
1
Bajrayogini
1.4
5539
921
6.01
3
0
0
1.571743997
2
Balambu
1.4
7372
1229
6.00
0
0
0
27.60234319
S
N
Open Space to
Person21
(sqm/person)
19
Valley Competitiveness Assessment Study: Metropolitan Trends and Issues in the Kathmandu Valley, Final report, World Bank, 29 June
2012. This includes climate change risks
20
DesInventar, 2011 NSET
21
Ichankhu Narayan, Jhaukhel, Sankhu Suntol, Sirutar and Sudhal were assumed to have an average of 5.559 sq.meters per person. This
value is the average for all VDCs in the table.
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET)
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Locations
Exposure elements
All hazards count on Disasters, Damages & Affected in
the last 10 years20
S2S1S-4
S-5
building
Casualt
S-3
Damage
damage
Damages
y
Affecte
s in
_
in crops
(death_i
d popn
roads
destroye
Ha.
njury)
Mts
d
Adaptability
S
N
VDC Name
Popn
GRate
2009
Popn
2009
Bldg
2009
Rati
o
Pop/
Bldg
No. of
school
s
3
Balkot
1.3
9970
1696
5.88
3
3
8
43
0
0
0.23459669
4
Budhnikantha
1.4
15184
2580
5.89
0
2
2
5
0
0
22.05350494
5
Bungamati
1.4
8080
1487
5.43
2
1
0
0
0
0
0.04570495
6
Changunarayan
1.3
7835
1401
5.59
2
0
17
86
0
0
2.582592853
7
Chapagaun
1.5
18130
3105
5.84
3
0
1
5
0
0
2.648381908
8
Chapali
Bhadrakali
1.4
6487
1430
4.54
1
5
24
11
0
0
0.861729459
9
Chhaling
1.3
10264
1690
6.07
10
2
5
22
0
0
6.954618277
10
Chunikhel
1.4
5536
1053
5.26
0
4
2
5
0
0
1.069975072
11
Daanchi
1.4
10959
2016
5.44
0
0
1
5
0
0
2.542660918
12
Dadhikot
1.3
9689
1720
5.63
4
1
34
183
0
0
0.344853545
13
Dhapakhel
1.6
10179
1907
5.34
2
8
1
0
0
0
12.27912319
14
Dhapashi
1.4
16586
2678
6.19
0
11
4
10
0
0
1.013238454
15
Duwakot
1.3
8412
1458
5.77
0
21
12
108
0
25
1.323391108
16
Gokarneshwar
1.4
6373
928
6.87
2
4
1
0
0
0
4.831702809
17
Gongabu
1.4
29764
5705
5.22
0
2
2
5
0
0
0.495219258
18
Gothatar
1.4
11805
2184
5.40
0
0
0
19
Harisiddhi
1.7
10279
1886
5.45
0
1
4
21
0
0
22.45449557
20
Ichankhu
Narayan
1.4
10985
2035
5.40
0
1
5
0
0
0
5.559
21
Imadol
1.6
15313
2951
5.19
1
19
8
37
0
0
0.353559525
22
Jhaukhel
1.3
8931
1488
6.00
0
9
11
49
0
0
5.559
23
Jorpati
1.4
58938
10281
5.73
3
7
2
5
0
0
1.964157012
24
Kapan
1.4
21900
4487
4.88
3
3
2
10
0
0
0.256128813
25
Katunje
1.3
17444
2950
5.91
3
1
4
15
0
0
0.195336677
26
Khokana
1.4
6170
1016
6.07
2
0
0
27
Lubhu
1.4
10902
1880
5.80
1
17
1
5
0
0
2.792267107
28
Machhegaun
1.4
4098
767
5.34
1
1
0
0
0
0
1.415769888
29
Mahadevsthan
1.4
11290
2084
5.42
3
0
1
0
0
0
7.241158813
30
Mahankal
1.4
9720
1963
4.95
1
0
2
11
0
0
2.749225206
31
Manamaiju
1.4
15646
2921
5.36
2
2
0
0
0
0
0.944651604
32
Matatirtha
1.4
5216
946
5.52
2
30
17
83
0
0
1.572097584
33
Mulpani
1.4
8394
1498
5.60
1
0
0
29.41760007
1.4
6317
1114
5.67
0
0
0
8.318246319
1.4
4934
858
5.75
1
0
1
5
0
0
8.712834414
1361
5.48
2
0
1
0
0
0
12.308108
0
0
0
34
35
Naikap Naya
Bhaiyang
Naikap Purano
Bhaiyang
36
Nayanpati
1.4
7463
37
Pukhulachhi
1.4
3921
614
6.38
4
0
0
38
Ramkot
1.4
9304
1674
5.56
6
1
0
Open Space to
Person21
(sqm/person)
3.735237103
24.74771588
2.044491201
1.79133405
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Locations
Exposure elements
All hazards count on Disasters, Damages & Affected in
the last 10 years20
S2S1S-4
S-5
building
Casualt
S-3
Damage
damage
Damages
y
Affecte
s in
_
in crops
(death_i
d popn
roads
destroye
Ha.
njury)
Mts
d
Adaptability
VDC Name
Popn
GRate
2009
Popn
2009
Bldg
2009
Rati
o
Pop/
Bldg
No. of
school
s
39
Sainbu
1.6
13694
2601
5.26
1
1
4
16
0
0
3.089032715
40
Sankhu Suntol
1.4
6306
1048
6.02
0
1
6
27
0
0
5.559
41
Siddhipur
1.6
9131
1697
5.38
2
1
0
5
0
0
2.76112014
42
Sirutar
1.3
6061
1007
6.02
-
4
4
15
0
0
5.559
43
Sitapaila
1.4
13697
2672
5.13
1
3
1
0
0
0
1.040593488
44
Sudal
1.3
9432
1684
5.60
0
1
2
11
0
0
5.559
45
Sunakothi
1.4
8690
1519
5.72
1
1
0
0
0
0
23.07335696
46
Syuchtar
1.4
9462
1659
5.70
2
75
3
16
0
0
1.104291904
47
Tathali
1.3
7559
1254
6.03
5
6
9
12
0
0
1.284657891
48
Thaiba
1.6
10109
1801
5.61
2
0
1
21
0
0.25
1.430356811
49
Thankot
1.4
12254
2282
5.37
3
2
0
0
29
0
18.01569732
50
Thecho
1.5
11765
2002
5.88
0
1
1
5
0
0
0.075260773
51
Tikathali
1.6
8612
1764
4.88
1
0
0
52
Tinthana
1.4
8555
1539
5.56
1
0
3
10
0
0
1.700261134
53
Tokha
Chandeswori
1.4
5056
826
6.12
1
0
0
1.370945609
54
Tokha Saraswoti
1.4
3827
602
6.36
1
0
0
22.98971597
S
N
Open Space to
Person21
(sqm/person)
0.805
The overall Vulnerability Index is the main criteria that will be used for the second screening
or the inclusion of VDCs in the RSLUP preparation. Exposure to hazards, damage rates and
adaptability are the three sub-criteria that weigh on the over-all vulnerability. Considerations
for exposure include ratio of population to buildings and the number of schools. Damage rates
are decided on the recorded number of casualties (deaths), affected population, damage to
roads and crops from past disaster events. Adaptability is decided based on the open space
allocation per person. This is derived by dividing the open space area (computed using GIS)
in the VDC by the population (2009 census). Higher population counts and more schools
mean greater exposure. VDCs with higher number of casualties, affected population or
damages22 are taken as showing signs of greater vulnerability. Less open space allocation per
person means lesser areas for evacuation and recreation, thus, greater vulnerability to
disasters (earthquakes, floods).
Damages to roads and crops were not considered in the prioritization due to limited data.
Some VDCs do not have records of casualties or damage, hence, overall Vulnerability Index
is less sensitive.
22
Numbers are based on all types of disaster events and not disaggregated by type. Earthquake impacts are not likely included. Some of
the VDCs have no record.
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It has to be emphasized that the data are few and aggregated, and hence, prioritization of
VDCs can quickly shift, for example, with a surge of fatality counts and damages even from a
single disaster event. Nevertheless, a logical structure was developed. However, the weights
assigned to exposure and lesser adaptability may be increased when damage information is
more complete and robustly determined. The weights and structure of the decision is shown in
Figure 4.3.
In this model, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used. Overall Vulnerability Index
was determined with damage and adaptability parameters being equal, and exposure given
more weight relative to the other two. This was done to assign weight on more reliable data
(exposure) but, at the same time, give importance to historical information on disasters and on
lesser adaptability (less open space allocation per person). As mentioned, the weights may be
changed when complete data is available. In terms of the damage criteria, emphasis23 was
given to the socio-economic impacts but importance was also given to risk to life. Over time
and with better records, information on casualties and affected populations, and destroyed
buildings are better indicators to determine socio-economic losses that need to be reduced
within the Valley.
OVERALL
1.000
Adaptability
0.200
Ratio Open Space to Popn
1.000
Damage
0.200
S1 - Casualty
0.387
S2 - Destroyed Buildings
0.169
S3- Affected Population
0.443
Exposure
0.600
Number of Schools1
0.250
RatioPop/Bldg
0.750
Figure 4.3: Structure of Decision Model and Weight Assignment
24
4.5.2.2 Results of the Selection process
The ranking is based on normalized scores between 0 to 1, where 0 indicates no over-all
vulnerability and 1 indicating highest over-all vulnerability of the VDC relative to the criteria
used.
The top ten VDCs with the highest overall vulnerability index (Utility in chart) include
Chhaling, Thatali, Dhapasi, Balkot, Jhaukhel, Duwakot, Phukulachhi, Gokarnershwar,
Katunje and Sirutar. Most of these VDCs are located in the immediate north and east of
Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and surrounding the municipalities of Bhaktapur and
23
Equal weights given to casualty and affected population, and both were given more weight compared to building damage.
24
Adaptability pertains to estimates of open space allocation per person. Having less in quantity means lesser adaptability and is given a
higher score. More open space allocation per person means greater adaptability.
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Madhyapur. The higher vulnerability indices follow this spread of population into VDCs in
the north, east and northeast. As mentioned, much of this expansion had been unplanned, and
occurred in a haphazard way on formerly agricultural and marginal lands.
Ranking for OVERALL Goal
Alternative
Utility
Chhaling
Tathali
Dhapashi
Balkot
Jhaukhel
Duwakot
Pukhulachhi
Gokarneshwar
Katunje
Sirutar
Sankhu Suntol
Tokha Chandeswori
Bajrayogini
Thecho
Syuchtar
Lubhu
Dadhikot
Chapagaun
Jorpati
Matatirtha
Tokha Saraswoti
Changunarayan
Ramkot
Khokana
Budhnikantha
Thaiba
Imadol
Naikap Purano Bhaiyang
Balambu
Tinthana
Sudal
Chapali Bhadrakali
Naikap Naya Bhaiyang
Kapan
Bungamati
Chunikhel
Sunakothi
Gongabu
Manamaiju
Sainbu
Daanchi
Siddhipur
Sitapaila
Machhegaun
Ichankhu Narayan
Mahankal
Gothatar
Mahadevsthan
Tikathali
Dhapakhel
Harisiddhi
Nayanpati
Mulpani
Thankot
0.754
0.750
0.711
0.679
0.672
0.648
0.647
0.640
0.635
0.605
0.604
0.588
0.579
0.564
0.554
0.554
0.535
0.522
0.521
0.478
0.455
0.428
0.420
0.417
0.406
0.395
0.387
0.387
0.381
0.340
0.325
0.300
0.297
0.291
0.286
0.276
0.272
0.263
0.263
0.262
0.253
0.252
0.238
0.238
0.215
0.214
0.207
0.200
0.196
0.185
0.170
0.170
0.146
0.131
Exposure
Damage
Adaptability
Preference Set = NEW PREF. SET
Figure 4.4: Ranking Results on VDCs
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12
8
3
13
19
7
15
11
1
6
4
20
9
5
2
10
17
16
14
18
Figure 4.5: Geographic presentation on Ranking of VDCs Vulnerability Index
4.5.2.3 Stability of Results
The model was tested for sensitivity using different weight combinations. Based on reviews,
the change in weights on damage and adaptability (±0.05 units) does not significantly affect
the rank of the top ten VDCs. The sum of the weights of exposure and (lesser) adaptability, or
exposure and damage, amount to 0.8. When data or records of damage are improved, then
the weights could be spread more over adaptability and damage. When more weight was
given to casualty and destroyed buildings, the listing of the top ten VDC is almost the same as
the final model shown in Figure 3. The final model carries the view that risk to life is more
important, i.e., the total weight is more than 80%. This means the top ten VDCs selected are
predisposed to the different vulnerability assumptions or conditions.
4.6
Conclusions
Based on the decision model, limited information and different weights used, Chhaling,
Thatali, Dhapasi, Balkot, Jhaukhel, Duwakot, Phukulachhi, Gokarnershwar, Katunje, and
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Sirutar are the most vulnerable VDCs in Kathmandu Valley and are being recommended for
inclusion in the risk sensitive planning together with the five municipalities of the Valley.
4.7
References
DesInventar, 2011, National Society for EarthquakeTechnology
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) Risk-sensitive Land Use Plan of Kathmandu
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Katasrophenvorsorge
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI), Sectoral Profile of Kathmandu Metropolitan
City, Nepal; A Pilot-Application in Metro Manila and Kathmandu 2010; Submitted to the
German Federal Foreign Affairs Office through the Deutches Komitee
Katasrophenvorsorge
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