City Diagnostic Report for City Development Strategy : Kathmandu Metropolitan City

Abstract

In conformity with its objective of
 functioning as a local Government, Kathmandu Metropolitan
 City (KMC) sought the assistance of the World Bank for the
 preparation of a City Development Strategy (CDS). The
 various sectoral as well as integrated strategies presented
 in this document seem to be an overwhelming demand on KMC
 with its limited manpower and money. A CDS is essential if
 KMC is to focus its development potential. The optimism lies
 in political leadership, enabling environment and necessary
 support that will be rendered to KMC from civil society. The
 vision for Kathmandu stresses the need to develop the valley
 as administrative, cultural and tourism center. The strategy
 to move towards that vision through improvement in the
 overall situation of the KMC, however, is likely to be a
 long drawn struggle, yet achievable. The urban planning
 study strongly recommends that Kathmandu should be accorded
 special status as a capital city and large polluting and
 manufacturing industries should be discouraged immediately
 and if possible, re-location plans be drawn for existing
 industries in the near future. Alternatively, service and
 light industries should be promoted to replace the economic
 opportunities. Urban areas in KMC are not designated by a
 functional and occupational structure or contiguity criteria
 for managing housing and squatter settlements. Housing
 problems are a serious challenge in a situation where a
 historically planned city is fast transforming itself into a
 trade-cum-service center. On the other hand, it is
 encouraging to note that despite the absence of city
 specific policies and programs for housing, slums and
 squatters, the communities are highly organized and are
 gradually improving their conditions at their own costs,
 which show their potential for mobilization in participatory
 home improvement programs.