DR. JIBA RAJ POKHAREL
The world observed the Habitat Day today with the theme “Changing cities, Building opportunities”. The objective is to bring about improvement in the cities by providing services and opportunities and facilities. Nepal may be predominantly rural with eighty three per cent of its people still residing in the countryside, but it is urbanizing in a very fast pace. In fact, its rate of urbanization of 6.6 per cent is considered the highest in the region. The addition of 41 more municipalities to the existing 58 is a pointer to this direction. The demand to add even more towns in the list of municipalities reflects the craze for the glamour of the urban areas among the people of Nepal.

Urbanization, however, is not a recent phenomenon. It dates to long time back in the past. ‘Kautilya Arthashastra’, a fourth century BC document, is full of dos and don’ts about the cities. The more striking is the suggestion to create a new satellite city once the population of the mother city exceeds around 10,000. Much of our current city problems have surfaced because of disregard shown to this age old principle. We entertain massive influx pouring into the cities, and the problems arise after the infrastructure cannot cater to the rise in population.

Urbanization is here to stay. It cannot be wished out of existence. In fact, the new millennium is known as the era of urbanization. In 2008, the urban population exceeded the rural population for the first time in the globe. In the developing countries also it is estimated that it will overpower the rural population in 2028.

Cities act as hubs of growth, creativity and innovation. The contribution of 20 per cent to the GDP of the country by the capital city Kathmandu alone describes the potential of the urban areas. No wonder then that the cities are known as the engine of growth. The rural areas in Nepal contribute to only one third of the GDP despite sheltering four fifth of the population.

The cities could not proliferate in Nepal because of the step-motherly attitude meted to them by the national leaders like B P Koirala who fancied the rural environment as did his idol Mahatma Gandhi in India. Rural areas were the focus of development in India and Nepal. This approach spilled over to China also in the form of peasantry led revolution. But the rural bias acted as a deterrent in the path of urbanization and development in all these three countries. China woke up to this reality faster and focused on urbanization and the development of cities for national growth. It began with the planning of the city of Suzhou and then churned one city after the other. Effects are for all to see. China quickly occupied the second slot in the world economy after the United States. It is even claimed as the first economic power based on purchasing power parity.

In Nepal, the new planned cities are like snakes in Iceland. In the past, Rajbiraj was planned after Hanuman Nagar was swept by the Koshi flood. Engineer Dilli Jung Thapa went to Jainagar in India and planned the city of Rajbiraj in classical Prastara form. The other city to follow was Tikapur and it was planned by renowned Architect and Planner turned Engineer Shankar Nath Rimal following a Grid Iron Pattern. After these twin efforts, the city planning exercise came to a virtual standstill in Nepal.

It is no wonder then that our cities are fast turning into eyesores in the absence of a proper planning. The capital city of Kathmandu is a glaring example in this regard. The rivers have been polluted, the slums are multiplying rapidly and there is pollution as well as congestion everywhere. But there is no need to despair as some countries had more bitter experiences than us in the past. River Thames flowing through the heart of London was so polluted that the Parliament had to be suspended because of intolerable stink emitted by the river in the year 1858. Good practices nevertheless exist in the likes of Quinhai river of Nanjing in China which was brought back to its serene state despite being polluted heavily through the resettlement of innumerable slums, displacement of households, creation of scenic spots, decoration of bridges and houses. Japan had one of the most polluted cities in Kitakuyushu but now it has somersaulted completely through the incorporation of pollution control, recycling, green technology and clean environment.

The urban planners have to fight war in two fronts spontaneously at the present. While the existing cities like Kathmandu should be given a new lease of life like Kitakuyushu of Japan, the new municipalities should not be allowed to undergo organic growth as did their predecessors but should be guided by planned development. It should take into its fold the likely risk due to climate change. This will then transform urbanization into a pleasant asset and not a painful liability as it is seen at the present. It is hoped that the observation of the Habitat Day can lead Nepal to this direction.

source:DR. JIBA RAJ POKHAREL (2012),"Rapid urbanization in Nepal: An asset or liability?", The Himalayan Times,2 Oct 2012
Dr Pokharel is Professor, Dept. of Architecture and Planning, IoE

photo courtesy: The Himalayan Times