Transforming Kathmandu: An Open and Live Museum & Creative City
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced plans to develop Kathmandu into an “Open and Live Museum” and a “Creative City.” Mayor Balendra Shah’s policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2081/82 aim to promote theme-based tourism by integrating the city’s various tourist sites.
Preservation and Promotion of Heritage Sites
The city plans to conserve, promote, and digitally archive historic, religious, archaeological, cultural, and socially significant sites, such as monasteries, temples, ponds, stone spouts, stupas, chaityas, courtyards, wells, squares, and public restrooms. There will be a focus on original naming and mapping of these locations.
Historic routes will see the façades of houses encouraged to be built or renovated in the styles of the Licchavi and Malla periods.
Parking Management
To address parking issues, Kathmandu Metropolitan City will promote the use of private residential properties for commercial vehicle parking. A mandatory parking app will be implemented for managing public and commercial parking.
Urban Infrastructure and Services
- Street Naming and Numbering: Streets will be scientifically and traditionally named, and a systematic house numbering system will be implemented. A metro post service for courier deliveries will be introduced, ensuring home delivery services reach all households.
- Open Waterways: Projects will be undertaken to open and preserve the Tukucha river and other rivers, streams, and rivulets, allowing them to flow naturally.
- GIS-Based Urban Indicators: The city will implement urban infrastructure indicators based on geographic information systems (GIS). Quality control and testing for construction materials will be ensured through the establishment of an infrastructure laboratory.
- Road Construction and Maintenance: An asphalt plant will be set up to ensure systematic and high-quality road construction and maintenance. Structures on roads and sidewalks will require mandatory approval from the metropolitan office before construction begins.
- Utility Management: Major roads will have utility ducts installed in cooperation with the Nepal Telecommunications Authority and internet service providers to manage overhead cables.
Transportation Enhancements
- Underpasses: Underpasses will be gradually constructed at potential locations to facilitate smooth vehicle and pedestrian movement.
- Public Transport: Public transportation will be promoted in line with the mass public transport concept, integrating GPS and modern technologies. Intelligent traffic signals, effective traffic management, one-way traffic systems, and no-vehicle zones will be studied and implemented. Nighttime public transportation will also be arranged. The use of electric public transport will be encouraged, with a gradual reduction in diesel and petrol vehicles. Private sector involvement in operating charging stations will be incentivized.
Heritage Zones and No-Vehicle Areas
Certain heritage-listed areas and places like New Road and Hadigaun will be developed as no-vehicle zones. The comprehensive Hadigaun Master Plan aims to redevelop Hadigaun in the Licchavi period style and propose it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Similarly, the Basantapur Master Plan will develop the area in the Malla period style.
The city will also encourage and provide necessary arrangements for homestay operations in Hadigaun, Basantapur, and other areas.
Cultural Promotion
Intangible cultural heritage, including festivals like Indra Jatra, Seto Machhindranath Jatra, Pachali Bhairav Jatra, and Pahan Charhe Jatra, along with local cuisines and traditions, will be preserved and promoted. Efforts will be made to list more cultural assets with UNESCO.
Film and Arts Destination
Kathmandu will be branded as a film city, promoting it as an ideal destination for movie shoots. Music, arts, local beverages, and traditional foods will also be branded and promoted.
Heritage Walks and Routes
The city will promote heritage walks from Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square to Swayambhu. The Basantapur-Swayambhunath-Boudhanath-Pashupatinath-Basantapur route will be developed as a heritage route. Strategic, commercial, and tourist routes will be identified, mapped, and developed as heritage routes.
Water Recharge and Infrastructure
The campaign will continue to restore ponds and stone spouts while identifying potential locations for new ponds to recharge groundwater. Rainwater harvesting and recharging activities will also be sustained.
Land Acquisition and Public Toilets
Funds will be allocated for land acquisition in Tinkune, in partnership with the government, to distribute compensation. Minimum standards will be set for private and public toilets, with incentives for institutions that provide free access to their toilets.
Open Spaces and Public Utilization
The open theater in Kathmandu will be utilized for exercise and sports development. Unauthorized structures on public land will be removed, and these areas will be developed into open spaces. Public and government land will be brought under the municipality’s jurisdiction for public use.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s comprehensive plans aim to preserve its rich heritage, improve urban infrastructure, and promote tourism, creating a vibrant and sustainable future for the city.
