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SETTLEMENTGEOGRAPHY
2010
KATHMA
DNUCITY-SET
TLEMENT
GE
OGRAPHY
TRYAMBAKESHSHUKLA
BP/463/2008
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICALPLANNING
SCHOOL OF PLANNINGAND ARCHITECTURE
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KA
AND VALL OF L
LOCA
ON
Kathmandu Valley lies between the latitudes 27 32 13 and 27 49 10 north and
longitudes 85 11 31 and 85 31 38 east and is located at a mean elevation of about
1,300 meters (4,265 feet)abovesealevel.
Highsandstonemountainrangesstandallaroundthesedistrictssuchas Phulchowki intheSouth East, Chandragiri/Champa Devi in the South West, Shivapuri in the North West, and
Nagarkot in the North East (Figure 2). The altitudeof these mountains varies around 1500
meters to 2800 meters (Baniya, 2008). The threemajor river systems inthe valley are the
Bagmati, Bishnumati, and Manohara. Therearelakesandpondsalsoinallthreedistricts.
AncienthistoryoftheKathmanduvalleysaysthatitwasahuge lakewhichwassettledafter
draining away all the water through Chobhar gorge by a Chinese Saint. Early settlements
were around very few places. Townships developed and flourished through Indo-Nepal-
Tibet trade. Though many small towns were established by the second century A.D. and
urban centers by the 11th century, according to the records, urbanization of the valley
commenced in the late 1950s, accelerating during the 1970s. According to the population
census of 2001, Kathmandu district had the biggest urban population and the highest
numberofhouseholdsin Nepal.
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KA
AND VALL N 3D C
V
CL A
TheclimateofKathmandu Valleyissub-tropicalcooltemperatewithmaximumof35.6C in
Aprilandminimumof 3C in Januaryand 75% annual averagehumidity. Thetemperature
ingeneralis 19C to 27C insummerand 2C to 20C inwinter. Theaveragerainfallis 1400
millimeters, mostofwhichfallsduring Juneto August.
AD
N
A
V
D
V
ON
Kathmandu Valley comprises of three districts, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur,
togetherwhichcoveranareaof899 squarekilometers, whereastheareaofthe Valleyasa
whole is 665 square kilometers. The Valley encloses the entire area of Bhaktapur district,
85% ofKathmandudistrictand 50% ofL alitpurdistrict.
Thethreevalleydistrictshaveatotalof150 localadministrativeunits (Village Development
Committees and Municipalities) out of which five city governments have the highest
population and economic activities. With more than 1.5 million people, (220,000
households) the Kathmandu Valley is the most important urban concentration in Nepal.
Being a capitalcity, Kathmandu Valley in comparison to the restof Nepal, possesses basic
amenities like water supplies, electricity, gas, telecommunications, roads, sanitation,
education, security, andtransportation. Newproductsandservicesarefirstlaunchedinthe
valley and therefore the inhabitants have access to modern equipment and technology.
New technologies and interventions come to th e valley first, and this technological
sophistication along with other amenities is an important pull factor for rural to urban
migration.
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! " # $ % & Valley ( V) ' s ! " e & ( ban cente( ) 0 Ne 1 al and ' ncludes 0 ' ve # aj ) ( c' ties:
athmandu 2 Lalitpur2 Bhaktapur2 irtipur 2 and Thimi (re0 er to map in page 3). athmandu
Metropolitan City ( MC) is the largest city in Nepal and the cosmopolitan heart of the
Himalayanregion. With a history and culture dating back2 2 000 years, the city, along 3 ith
the other towns in the Valley, ranks among the oldest human settlements in central
Himalaya. Old athmandu corresponds to the current city core, encompassing a compact
4 one oftemple s 5 uares andnarrow streets. The oldroyalpalace comple 6 ofDurbarSquare,
is in the center of Old athmandu and has been designated as a World Heritage site by
UNESCO.
KATHMANDUVALLEYADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS
MAJORECONOMICACTIVITIES
Kathmanduis the centre for severalmajorindustries suchas carpets, garments, finance and
tourism, as wellas healthand educational services. This is mainly due tothe lackofessential
infrastructure and services in other parts of the country. According to one estimate, the
Kathmandu Metropolitan City's economic outputis worthmore than Rs.170 billonper year.
Trade accounts for21 7 ofits finances. Manufacturing comes ne 8 tinimportance with19 7 .
Kathmandu is amajormanufacturerand e 8 porterofgarments andwoolen carpets. Other
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sectors are agriculture (9 9 ), education (6 9 ), transport (6 9 )andhotels andrestaurants (5 9 ).
Tourismis alsoakey componentofthe city's economy.
DEMOGRAPHICSITUATION OF KATHMANDUVALLEY
According to CBS, (2003a) the population of the three districts of Kathmandu valley
increasedfrom1,107,370in1991to1,647,092in2001. Theannualpopulationgrowthrate
in Kathmandu district was 4.71 @ , increasing at twice the national rate of 2.2 @ . The
population of Kathmandu district was 675,341 in 1991 (3.6 @ of Nepal's population) and
1,081,845in2001 (4.6 @ ofNepal's population). The populationdensity (Numberofpersons
per square kilometre)ofKathmandudistrictwas 1,069in1981;1,710in1991, and2,739in
2001. The details ofdistrict wise populationdistribution anddensity are presented below
respectively.
DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATIONBY DISTRICT
POPULATION DENSITYBY DISTRICT
According to CBS (2003a) the three districts of Kathmandu valley consist of 5 of the 58
municipalities in the country and 114 VDCs. Urban areas are classified into Metropolitan
Cities, Sub-Metropolitan Cities, and Municipalities as per the Local Self Governance Act,
1999. As perthis Act, there are three municipalities (Bhaktapur, Madhyapur, andKirtipur),
one sub-metropolitan city (Lalitpur), and one metropolitan city (Kathmandu). The
population in designated urban areas of Kathmandu valley had increased considerably
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about 5 times in 2001 than 1952/54. The details of urban population growth trend are
shown below.
URBANPOPULATIONGROWTHTREND
HIGH DENSITYINKATHMANDUVALLEY
Urbanizationhadnot beenuniformthroughoutthe country. Mosturbanizedareas were in
Kathmandu valley, which contributes significantly to the overallurbanization status of the
country. The urbanpopulationdensity ofKathmandu valley was 10,265 (the population is
995,966 and the area 97 sq. km) (CBS, 2003a). On the other hand, the ruralpopulation is
alsoincreasing slowly inthe valley. The average annualgrowthofthe ruralpopulationwascomparatively higherthanfor Nepalas awhole. The restofthe average annualgrowthrates
are given below.
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AVERAGEANNUALGROWTHRATE OF URBANAND RURALPOPULATION
LAND USE
KATHMANDUMETROPOLITANCITY
Dominant land use type in Kathmandu municipality is mixed which mostly comprises
residentialand commercialareas. Itoccupies2592.7hectares, or48.88 A ofthe totalarea. A
totalofeighteenlanduse types are foundinthis municipality. The roadareaalsooccupies a
significantlandarea (386.52hectare).
LALITPURMINICIPALITY
Residential and commercial area classified as mixed land use covers the largest part the
Lalitpurmunicipalarea, comprising673.06hectares, followed by cultivationandinstitutional
areas.
BHAKTAPURMUINICIPALITY
Cultivation dominates land use types among all other types in the Bhaktapur area which
occupies383.97hectares ofthe total municipal area. It is followed by mixed landuse with
145.467hectares. Institutionalareafalls thirdwith34.86hectares.
KIRTIPURMUNICIPALITY
According to the area calculated from the GIS database, the largest portionin the
Kirtipurmunicipality is occupied by cultivation, followed by plantation. Mixed land use,comprisedof
residentialand commercialarea, covers 163.05hectares ofthe totalarea.
MADHYAPURTHIMIMUNICIPALITY
Cultivation covers the largestportionofthe MadhyapurThimimunicipalareatotaling712.26
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hectares. Mixedareaofresidentialand commercialtype is second, followed by institutional
areacomprising85.58hectares.
A reviewof the landuse indicates that two municipalities: KMC and LSMC are dominated
bymixed land uses, which are used for residential and commercial purposes. In the
remaining threemunicipalities along with other Village Development Committees in the
valley, a significantpercent of land use is cultivation land. This past trend in urbanization
indicates thatthesecultivationareas are most susceptible tohaphazardurbanization.
EXISTINGLANDUSEMAP OF KATHMANDU
PRESENSTISSUESAND CONCERNS
The informal process of settlement development in the last several years has created
several
physical, socialand environmentalproblems inKathmanduValley. The fragile KV eco-system
isseverely affected by ever-expanding urban development and incompatible economic
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activities.Someof the mostvisible consequencesof the haphazard development are listed
below.
RIV B R C OLL D E ION
Drainage is a significant problem in Kathmandu. Due to an inadequate and technically
unsounddrainage system, water backlogging is very common in many areas of the city. In
most places,both storm water drainage and sewerage has been combined. Many illegal
sewerage connectionsinto the storm water drains are common. At this time, there is no
mechanismforKMC orothermunicipalitiesandthe DepartmentofSeweragetocheckthese
illegalconnections. Althoughtherearesomewastewatertreatmentsystems inKathmandu
Valley, thesearenotfunctionalandasaresultwastewaterfromthedrainsandsewersare
dischargeddirectlyintothe Bagmati,Bishnumati, DhobiKholaandotherriversofKV without
treatment. Alongwithanincreaseinpopulationandunplannedandhaphazardurbanization,
thecityis becominganexampleofaterriblypollutedcitywithopensewersandunhygienic
disposalofwasteleadingtothepollutionofalltheexistingriversinKathmandu.
The three major riversBagmati, Bishnumati and Dhobi-Kholawhich flow through the
heartofKMC were in ancient times the jewels ofthe city, buthavenow turned into open
sewer. Overthe years the unplanned and haphazard growth of the city has caused an
adverse affect on thecondition of the rivers both environmentally and hygienically. The
riverbankshave beenencroachedandsquattersettlementsarefoundinabundanceinsome
stretcheswhereotherpartsare barrenorunused. Theriversaregrowing increasinglydirty
andpolluteddue tothedirectdischargeofwastewaterfromthehouseholds.
More than fifty percent of the population living in the city area is discharging their
wastewaterdirectly into these rivers. The disposal of the sewage from the manufacturing
and industries intothe rivers is also causing tremendous industrial waste discharge. The
cumulative household,industrial, and manufacturing discharge of wastewater is having
adversehygienicandenvironmental effectsontheriver.
For myriad of health, environmental, and economic reasons, the rivers are in dire need
ofattention. Careful sustainable planning and management based on a deep and shared
knowledgeof the technical and social issues linked to river management in the urban
context is critical forthe improvement and preservation of one of the most important
environmental, social, andeconomicresources. Thesustainablerivermanagement inurban
areas is not well known andadopted in Nepal. Despite of their fundamental role since
ancient times as the first place ofurbanization, riverside areas are frequently afflicted by
tremendous problems of overcrowding,conflicting uses, and pollution, often due to the
absolutelackofplanningandmanagement.Sadlythishasmanifestedintorealityinthecase
oftheKathmandu Valley.
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AIR F OLL G H ION
Unplannedsettlements, poorroadnetworks, andconflicting landuses leadtoairpollution
causedby emissions fromvehicleplying alongnarrow and winding streets. To improve the
air quality ofKathmandu, the government has banned diesel and gasoline based three-
wheelersandcloseddownalocalcementfactory. Inaddition, bettercoordination between
municipalities andMinistry of Environment need to be established and at the same time
conflictingactsalsoneedtobemodifiedoramendedtoaddressth eissueofairpollution.
I OLID WA I H P DISPOSAL
Illegaldumpingofwasteinthecommonareaslikeriverbanks, publicland, andunplanned
settlementsisstillcommon. Thoseareasareeithernotserved bythemunicipalsolidwaste
collection system or the community is not organized to handle the problem. Due to
rapidurbanization, agricultural landsare beingdeveloped intohousingwhichposesserious
problemssuchastherenewalofgroundwaterresources, airpollution, andlossofgreenery.
Supplies ofcereals and vegetables are mainly imported into Kathmandu. A new waste
managementtechnologyandsystemurgentlyneedsto beintroducedtoaddressthepresent
waste problem dueto rapid population growth, rapid urbanization, and a change in the
composition of waste.Another perennial problem in waste disposal has been the use of
landfillsites. Thelandfillsiteshave beenaverysensitiveissueforalongtime, oftenarousing
vicious opposition from theadjacent communities, severely interrupting waste collection
anddisposalinthecityareas.
H RAFFIC CONG P STION
Conflicting land uses, unplanned and haphazard construction, inadequate road network,
andinefficient transport management are creating severe traffic congestion during peak
commutingperiods inthecity. Duetothe lackofproperroadnetworksconnectingthecity
center and semiurbanareas, public transport cannot operate effectively in a semi-urban
settlement. New roadsconnecting north -south of Kathmandu along the riverbanks in
Kathmandu, inner and outer ringroad construction need to be built to curb traffic
congestionandairpollutioninthecity.
LAND SPEC G LATION
Due to the absence of the provision of socialhousing or the housing for the economically
weaksector/society, there is a great demand of land especially for the construction of
houses. Thereisnoalternativeoptionotherthanto buyapieceoflandand buildthehouse.
As a consequence, thedemand and the cost of land in Kathmandu is very high. Land
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speculation is a characteristic ofurban development and this trend is detrimental to the
planned growth of the city and properexpansion of basic services to the people. Land
brokersandhousingdevelopmentcompaniesholdhugeparcelsoflandinurbanfringeareas
forspeculativepurposes.
LOSS OF C Q LTURAL R ERITAGE
Duetotheexcessivepressureofcommercialactivitiesalongwithunplannedandhaphazard
growth of the city, the cultural heritage of Kathmandu Valley is gradually eroding.
Historicponds, courtyards, public places and playing fields are being converted into public
buildings andprivate property. Traditional Guthi (trust) responsible for management of
publiclandhavebecomeinactiveinpreservingsuchland. Mostofthelands belongingtothe
trustareslowlybeingconvertedtocommercialuses bytheprivatecompanies. Theseprivate
companiesacquirelandfromthetrustonleaseout basisand buildcommercialcenters.
C R ANGEIN LANDUSE
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AREA IN S ECTARE
LAND USE CLASS 1989 1999 2006
AGRICULTURE 13350 12944 14420
BARESOIL 17434 23742 21140
BUILTUP 2454 4366 5732
FOREST 28044 28366 31509
OPEN AREA 26266 18680 15267
WATER 943 393 423
TOTAL 88491 88491 88491
The barchart belowvisuallyquantifiesthesixlandusesineachdateandcan beinterpreted
transitions between different land use classes. The Built up area had increased and water
classdecreased bymorethantwofoldsduringthestudyperiod. Thechartshowsthatthe
Openarealandclasswasalsothemostdecreasedclassfollowed by Baresoillandclass. The
restofthelanduseshadnotchangedsignificantly.
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BARCHARTSHOWINGLAND USE QUANTIZATIONIN 1989, 1999 AND 2006
EXISTING DEVELOPMENTINSTITUTIONSINKATHAMNDU
Various national and local institutions are involved in developing settlements and
urbandevelopment activities ofKathmandu urban areas and the Valley as a whole. Apart
fromthe
KMC, LSMC and the three municipalities, there are several central government
agenciesworking in KV. They are the Department of Land Reform and Management,DepartmentofHousingand Construction, KathmanduValley Town Development Committee
under theMinistry of Physical Planning and Construction, Department of Roads, Water
Supply andSewerage Corporation, Village Development Committees and District
DevelopmentCommittees. There is a lack of cooperation and coordination between these
institutions foreffective planningand implementationofurbaninfrastructure development
activities within
KMC andKathmanduValley.
PROPOSALS PLANNINGMODERNKATHAMNDU
Aimedtopreserve heritage & guide urbandevolomentthroughlanduse planningtoprevent
sprawlin city fringe & ensure settlementdensification.
Stratergy- by reinforcing transportation linkages .nkage of dispersed settlement
,continuationofexistance growth tendencies ofkathmandupatan complex & the bipolar
devolopmentofbhaktapur by reinforcingtransportaionlinkages .
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Town devolopment implementation ac t 1972,formulated 3 broad zoning,city core (zone a
)kathmandu&lalitpur (zone b ), bhaktapur(zone c).led to the devoloment of ring road
,significantly acceleratedurbanisation.planswerereluctanttoaddresslongtermproblems.
New structural plan-undp&world bank 1987 aimed to provide guidelines for physical
devolopment of metropolitan region for year 2010.Major political situation plan was
shelved.
1991,integrated plans to be implemented in new democratic enviromentfocused on
perpheral area outside ring road,area beyond boundary recommendation related to
landuse(landpooling)&infrastructure.
PROP
OS
ALS
FOR
P
LANNING
T
ODER
NK
ATH
AT
NDU
POLICIES FOR LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT OF KATHMANDU VALLEY
Thelong-termdevelopmentconceptforthevalleywasapproved bythegovernmentin 2002
andhasadoptedthefollowingpolicies. Thesepoliciescan be takenas theguidingprinciple
forensuringplanneddevelopmentofthecityandvalleyasawhole.
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A valleywideapex bodye.g.Kathmandu Valley Development Authorityto beformedwithproportionaterepresentationoflocal bodies.
Job opportunitiesshall bedecentralizedsothatpeoplecansettle inany locationofthevalley.
Delineationofruralandurban boundaries so thatseparateplanning standards can
beenforcedinruralandurbanareas.
Investments should be channelized to certain sectors only so thatdensification,development of new towns and allocation of future land can be
delineated.
A system of planning permitting and environmental impact assessment shallbeintroduced.
Tourism-related activities shall be promoted and polluting industries shall berelocatedtoothertownsoutsideKathmandu.
Bhaktapurandothertraditionalsettlementsto bedeclaredculturaltowns. Kathmanduto bedeclaredasingleadministrativeentity. Protectionofpublicparksandwatershedareas. DevelopmentofCottageindustries. Relocationofsecurityestablishmentstofringeareas.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
June, 1969 U thephysicaldevelopmentplanforthekathamnduvalley. Pant P.R;Kathmandu Valley Profile Bhandari S;Urban Change MonitoringUsing GIS and Geospatial Tools