Rabi Shah, Division Chief, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, Division Office, Kavre, Nepal. Urban and Regional Development and Management Status in Nepal (an Country Report)

General Description of Nepal Physical Administrative Political Economic Language and religion

General Description of Nepal Landlocked Himalayan country, situated between the People’s Republic of China to the north and India to the east, west and south. The total area of Nepal is 147,181 sq. km with the altitudes ranging from than 61 meters in the south to 8848 meters high in the north. Total population of the country is 24.2 million (urban 15%), average density 157 person/sq.km. Population growth rate 2.25% annually. Estimated GDP per capita for the year 2004/2005 is about US $ 300.

Location

General Description of Nepal Mountain region: Ranging from 3000m and above, this region covers 35% of the total area of the country and 7.5% of the population live in this region. Hill Region: Hill region covers 42.0% of the area and 44.5% of the people are living there in. Terai Region: It is the plain area situated in the southern part of the country which covers 23% of the total area and 48% of the population lives in this region.

General Description of Nepal Administratively, Nepal is divided into 5 Development Regions :14 zones, 75 districts, 58 municipalities & 3195 villages

General Description of Nepal

predominantly an agricultural country (40% income & employment generation) 30.85% of the population living below the poverty line (Second Living Standards Survey ). Per capita income is 322 US $. Average life expectancy is 63years. Literacy rate is 54.1 percent Annual population growth is 2.25% (Population census, 2001)

Planning history The concept of regional development was introduced in 3 rd V year plan ( ) and was recognized by 4 th V year plan ( ) 9 th & 10 th V year plan ( , )) recognizes different sectoral polices on urban development.

Planning History Formation of National Level Planning Commission (NPC): responsible for National level plans and programs. Formation of regional level Planning Section for regional level plans & programs. District Administrative plan 1975 Establishment of Town Planning office, 1962: ( prepared Kathmandu Valley Physical Development Plan 1969 ) Promulgation of Land Acquisition Act 1962 Promulgation of town planning Implementation Act 1975

Organizational Setup

Role of DUDBC Construction & Maintenance of Govt. Buildings Plan & Implement Urban development works: New Town Planning, Urban infrastructure etc R&D in building materials/technology & urban development Technical support to municipalities in urban field Formulate plan & programs for TDCs & implement Implement NBC and Apartment Act

Role of TDCs Provide planning permit Implement bye laws and land use plan Develop urban development works on TDCs area

Development Trend & Issues Uneven population distribution Uneven resource distribution: geographical diversities, politics, connectivity and regional disparities Increase gap between urban & poor Low urbanization & agrarian economy Social acceptances Long processes

Planning Process In the past TOP-DOWN approach Now on request of local bodies on participatory approach DUDBC prepares:  Land use Plan, Zoning plan-approval from central Government  Bye laws – Local Government

Available Acts, Rules and Regulation Town Development Act 1988 Municipal Act 1992 Environment Protection Act 1996 Local Self Governance Act 1999 Apartment Act 2056 (2000) Ancient Monument Act 2056 (2000) Decentralization Act 1982 National Building Code 2055 (1999) Shelter Policy 1996

Sectoral Polices (9 th V year Plan) Urban Development & Land Use Environment Improvement Decentralization and Strengthening local governance Local Development NGOs involvement Poverty alleviation

Urban Sector Institutions Central level: MLD, MPPW/DUDBC MPPW- works at local level for urban development and management Participatory approach and collaboration with municipalities MLD- line ministry MPPW/DUDBC (lot of technical expertise) has functionally linked (LSGA) with MLD through municipalities

Recommendations Capacity Building at local level Research & Development in Urban Development field Political Commitment Regular monitoring and evaluation