Building Planned Cities

Nepal is one of the fastest urbanising countries in the world, which stands at a critical juncture of development. Urbanisation requires important criteria, including infrastructure and services, open space, population density, and economic viability. However, these requirements are not met when several human settlements are delineated as new urban areas haphazardly. Due to the lack of proper planning, urbanisation has led to widespread challenges that threaten human well-being and the environment. A flow in informal settlements has accompanied rapid urban growth. Many people do not have access to basic things, including housing, clean water, and sanitation. These are violations of fundamental human rights. The existing urban crowd reflects an absence of foresight in planning, policy, and implementation. The situation is further compounded by an unfair and ineffective land tenure system, which hinders equitable access to resources and opportunities.