A Report. National Society

Transcription

1 Promoting Public Private Partnership (3 PERM) for Earthquake Risk Management A Report on Local Consultation Workshop on Urban Regeneration National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) April 2012

2 TABLE OF CONTENT 1. Introduction Background... 1 Workshop Objectives... 1 Workshop Participants Workshop proceeding Welcome and Opening Session... 2 Presentation Session... 2 Group Work Session... 3 Concluding Session Workshop Outcomes Benefits... 4 Challenges... 4 Way Forward... 4 ANNEXES... 5 Annex 1. List of Participants... 5 Annex 2. Glimpses of the Workshop... 1

3 Local Consultation Workshop on Urban Regeneration INTRODUCTION Background Earthquakes are an unavoidable part of Kathmandu Valley s future, just as they have been a part of its past. However, a large earthquake near the Kathmandu Valley today would cause significantly greater human loss, physical damage, and economic crisis than caused by past earthquakes. With the valley s burgeoning population of almost 2 1/2 million people, uncontrolled development, and a construction practice that has actually degraded over this century, the valley is becoming increasingly vulnerable to earthquakes with each passing year. Despite this growing risk, there is no organized approach to managing earthquake risk in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal s political, economic, administrative, and cultural capital. The settlements of Kathmandu Valley present a special case because of the historical importance of its buildings in the city core areas. There is an urgent need to enhancee seismic performancee of existing buildings in heritage areas, where the buildings are very old, many in dilapidated conditions, and many subject to vertical division due to the existing inheritance regulations. This complex situation will present unmanageabl le problem for reconstruction in a post earthquake situation. Realizing the urgency NSET conceptualized the plan of Sustainable Urban Regeneration Process as a tool for disaster management of city core areas. Under the program Promoting Public Private Partnership for Earthquake Risk Management (3PERM) supported by the United States Agency for International Development/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), NSET is conducting the Feasibility study of Urban Regeneration of a part of Kathmandu Core City Area as a DRM activity. In association with Kathmandu Metropolitan City, NSET is implementing urban regeneration in the city core area of Kathmandu, i..e.; Ward No: 23 and some parts of Ward-21 as a pilot program. In order to raise general awarenesss on Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and orient and discuss with the local stakeholders the concept of urban regeneration of the city core area of Kathmandu, i.e.; Ward No: 23 and some parts of Ward-21 a Half day workshop was organized on March 28, 2012 at the United World Trade Centre (UWTC), Tripureshwar, Kathmandu. The workshop was jointly organized by Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), NSET and USAID/OFDA. This a brief progress report of the Local Consultation Workshop in Kathmandu Nepal. Workshop Objectives The specificc objective of the workshop was to Increasee disaster awareness Make the stakeholders familiar on the concept of urban regeneration in the city core areas Get the involvement of the community members for the implementation of the concept Workshop Participants There weree approximately one hundred and seven participants at the workshop representing Local and central government agencies such as Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee, KMC, KMC 23 Ward Office, media people, local leaders and residents of the pilot site. The list of participants is included in Annex I.

4 Local Consultation Workshop on Urban Regeneration WORKSHOP PROCEEDING The half day workshop comprised of an opening session followed by a technical session, group work session and a concluding session. Welcome and Opening Session The opening session of the workshop was attended by highh level officials from Kathmandu Valley Town Development Corporation (KVTDC), Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office (KMC), Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC). Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer of KMC chaired the opening session. Mr. Suresh Prakash Acharya, Secretariat Member (KVTDC), Mr. Ramesh Guragain, Deputy Executive Director, NSET and Mr. Pabitra Ratna Bajracharya, Community Leader and Dr. Uttar Kumar Regmi, Section Chief, KMC DM Section was other guests during the session. Dr. Uttar Kumar Regmi, Section Chief, KMC DM Section highlighted the need and the importance of the urban regeneration in the city core areas of Kathmandu. Mr. Regmi indicated that a comprehensive strategy based on local needs and opportunities is required for the urban regeneration. Mr. Pabitra Ratnaa Bajracharya emphasized on the implementation of the project with the involvement of each and every stakeholders. Mr. Suresh Prakash Acharya, Secretariat Member (KVTDC) expressed his positive remarks on the initiative and mentioned that it would be very pertinent in other core areas if the plan is successful in ward No.23. Mr. Ramesh Guragain, Deputy Executive Director, NSET stressed that there is no other alternative than urban regeneration in the city core areas of Kathmandu. He also shared that the preliminary study showed that it is economically feasible and sustainable as well. Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer, KMC reiterated KMC s commitment to support the implementation of the plan. He further assured the formulation of government s policy commitment governing the regeneration plan. 2.2 Presentation Session The technical presentations were made by Dr. Uttar Kumar Regmi, Section Chief, KMC DM Section and Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, Technical Advisor/ Project Manager 3PERM at NSET. Dr Uttar Kumar Regmi in his presentation gave a brief overview on the situational analysis of the project area. Demography, Building Typology, Social and Economic Structure, Available critical lifeline facilities of the project area as according to the recent study made were highlighted in his presentation. Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe gave a brief introduction of the Concept of Urban Regeneration of the City Core Areas of Kathmandu. The presentation covered the objectives, activities and outputs of the project, the approaches that will be taken in developing the urban regeneration plan. Mr. Sangachhe shared that the idea is for transforming the existing urban environment of the Kathmandu into a city of modern look with preservation of cultural heritage and Nepalese identity with enriched and strengthened social capital and relations by implementing the concept in a pilot area

5 Local Consultation Workshop on Urban Regeneration 3 (Ward Number 23 of Kathmandu).Sharing the examples of other countries he said that this type of program has been very successful in European countries. Mr. Sangachhe stressed on the need of the urban regeneration of the city core areas of Kathmandu city as an only alternative for making the cities disaster resilient and urged the community to identify the key issues and prioritize them with corresponding solutions in developing the urban regeneration plan. A short Video documentary shown covering the present scenario of the project area and its transformation into a city of modern look with preservation of cultural heritage and Nepalese identity by implementing the concept in a pilot areaa (Ward Number 23 of Kathmandu) made the community members more clear on the whole concept of urban regeneration. The floor was then opened for discussion for further clarification on the topics presented and recommendations for the future works. The participants raised concerns on various aspects. 2.3 Group Work Session The workshop discussed elaborately on the proposed concept of urban regeneration. Subsequently, the participants weree divided into groups for giving their feedback on the proposed program. Five different working groups were formed and each group was given a separate theme to provide their feedback on viz; Social Impact, Infrastructure, Economical Impact, Environmental and Cultural Impact of the project. The group work came out with healthy critique of the proposed program and suggested several important considerations for incorporation into the program approach and implementation modalities. Group 1- Social Large families living in small house Problem of Security in Apartment system The unity of the community may be disrupted Group 2- Infrastructure Scarcity of drinking water Unplanned road network Unmanaged Sewerage system- Problem of urban flooding Trend of Vertical growth due to increasing population in the limited small area Group 3- Economical Problem managing the large families with small land and small families with large area Provision of facilities for the recently built houses Who will be given the first priority for running the shops- the house owner or outsiders? Will there be any provision for those who are making their living from their house rent While living in the apartment will it be like living in a rented flat There should be extra facilities for the differently able people in the newly built apartment Group 4- Environmental What will be the alternative if someone sends legal notice in the planning?

6 Local Consultation Workshop on Urban Regeneration 4 There will be no terrace in the new structure Problem of inadequate sunlight reaching the apartments Lack of greenery Group 5- Cultural Risk of losing the old monuments while constructing new settlementss Problem of community participation Lack of adequate space for cultural activities Security Issues Slow pace of work in government offices Lack of Leadership in the community 2.4 Concluding Session Mr. Uttar Kumar Regmi addressedd most of the concerns raised by the floor and further indicated the ways forward in his concluding remarks. Formation of a 5-6 member working committee proposed for the smooth implementation of the project was approved by all with Mr. Pabitraa Ratna Bajracharya,(Community Leader) as the Coordinator and the Ward Secretary (Ward 23) as the member secretary along with other members to be decided later on. Photographs reflecting the glimpses of the workshop are attached in Annex II WORKSHOP OUTCOMES Benefits The workshop initiated a dialogue among various stakeholders (community, local government, central government) which will enhance the earthquake awareness of the participants and further promote the implementation of the concept of urban regeneration. Commitments from the Government of Nepal: Very positive statements on the project and the workshop were made by senior officials of the KVTDC, Kathmandu Metropolitan City in the opening session of the workshop. Challenges Despite the stakeholder s willingness to initiate such program there are various challenges associated with the implementation of the program Way Forward Based on the agreed conclusions, recommendations and interactions of the workshop it was decided to take forward in the following manner. A working committee will be formed for the smooth operation of the program The community themselves will be the planner and KMC, NSET and other organizations will be facilitators More consultative meetings/ interaction with the local residents will be organized to aware them on the prevailing risk and its solution as Urban Regeneration

7 Local Consultation Workshop on Urban Regeneration 5 ANNEXES ANNEX 1. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

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15 Local Consultation Workshop on Urban Regeneration 1 ANNEX 2. GLIMPSES OF THE WORKSHOP Mr. Suresh Prakash Acharya giving his remarks Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer, KMC addressing the opening session

16 Local Consultation Workshop on Urban Regeneration 2 Dr. Uttar Kumar Regmi, Section Chief, KMC DM Se ection giving his presentation Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, Technical Advisor/ Project Manager 3PERM at NSET briefing on the concept of urban regeneration

17 Local Consultation Workshop on Urban Regeneration 3 Community members involved in group work