National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

‘We Can Feel The Pressure Of Population Growth Rate In Urban Areas’

— PURNA KADARIYA

PURNA KADARIYA, director general of Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, has long experiences in working in the areas of urban planning. Vice president of Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA), Kadariya spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on various issues regarding urban development. Excerpts:

How do you see the process of urbanization in the valley?

When we are talking about the urbanization, we have to discuss it based on broader national perspective. The growth of urbanization is very fast. If you see the history of last four decades, there were only 10 municipalities and total population of the country was merely 8 million. Presently, there are 58 municipalities and 117 municipal development committees. The urban population is about 3.5 million, which is 16 percent of the total population of the country. Within 10 to 15 years, this will reach to 7 million or 20-25 percent of total population. If you see the urban population growth rate, it is double compared to the national population growth rate. In some areas, the growth rate is even triple. We can feel the pressure of population growth rate in urban areas.

What measures are required to manage the urban population?

First of all, we need a state policy to manage the urban population. It must be area specific. If we see the policy of urbanization, country's seventh five-year plan, for the first time, mentioned the subject. Although the plan mentioned it, the government did not, however, allocate the resources to formulate policies to manage them. In the eighth plan, urbanization was made a development priority but there was no budget again. Only in the ninth plan did the government recognize urbanization as a separate sector.

How do you see the role of market forces?

Market forces play very important role in urbanization process. Although there are socio-political issues involved, urbanization is basically determined by market forces. Because it is the capital and is equipped with all kinds of services, Kathmandu attracts population from all over the country. As a capital, Kathmandu is like a huge magnet. This is not unique to Kathmandu, all capital cities in the world are major attractions for population.

What do you suggest to reduce the pressure of population?

If you relocate industries and other facilities at the periphery of Kathmandu, the valley's population pressure will come down. We can move the small industries to places like Nuwakot, Dhulikhel, Dhading and Hetauda. With the support from Asian Development Bank (ADB), we are implementing urbanization programs to divert the infrastructures towards the peripheral region of Kathmandu. This is the first year of the program. We will implement the Urban Environment Improvement project in nine municipalities. After its implementation, many people will not need to come to Kathmandu.

How do you see economic aspects of urbanization?

In terms of economics, the agriculture sector's contribution to Gross Domestic Product was over 50 percent till the seventh plan. Although 86 percent populations live in rural areas, their contribution is hardly 34-35 percent. The population between 14-16 percent is contributing 65 percent to the GDP. The agriculture sector has become non-profitable. In terms of national investment, urban sector virtually receives very nominal investment. It is around 0.5 percent. Rather, there is more private sector investment here because the profit margins are high. Though it is all right in terms of economic activities, it is going to be harmful for the town's environment. When the urban centers generate more employment opportunities, people will come to town in search of job. This will put pressure on urban infrastructures.

What we need to control the over population?

The government has already approved 20 years long strategic concept. According to local self-governance act, it is the role of municipality to execute and implement planning. So we are more focused on designing strategies.

How do you compare Nepal's situation with other countries of the region?

You cannot compare the situation of Nepal with other South Asian countries since other countries have adopted different models of urbanizations. In other countries, the governments acquire huge chunk of land and distribute it to others after developing necessary infrastructures like road, sanitation etc. In our country the situation is different since individuals own most of the lands. It is impossible to confiscate the land and it is against the constitution also. In our country what the government can do is promote the private participation. We have roughly divided lands into residential and agricultural areas. It is the duty of municipalities to implement the project.

What is your opinion then?

In short, we need a sustainable urban development program where we can mobilize the public participation. In the last seven years, we have seen large number of population migrating to the cities but one need not worry too much.