Urban Expansion and Environmental Stress in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Abstract

The rapid urban expansion and ensuing environmental pressure in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, are examined through this research from a construction engineering perspective. The Kathmandu Valley, historically renowned for its rich cultural heritage and diversified ecology, is presently undergoing huge urbanization, primarily as a result of socioeconomic constraints like rural-urban migration, economic aspirations, and improved quality of life. However, this unchecked growth has resulted in huge environmental pressure, including extensive loss of agricultural and forestland, severe air and water contamination, heightened risk of floods, and widespread land degradation.

By virtue of a mixed-method research framework that's robust, this study integrates Statistical Modeling, field questionnaires, GIS analysis, Geographic Information Systems, participative interviews among stakeholders, and remote sensing. The study realizes that between 2000 and 2020 the urban-built-up area increased from over 80 sq km to over 180 sq km, matching reflectively with mounting stress in agricultural covers with area decreasing down to 300 sq km from 450 sq km. The building industry, which has been referred to as one of the significant stress inducers in the stress with unsustainable building practice, also has vast mitigation potential with the application of eco-friendly building practice and technology.

It emphasizes the need to embrace sustainable urban planning practice. It emphasizes imposing tough regulation mechanisms, embracing sustainable transport infrastructure, safeguarding and expanding the land under the urban green belts and agricultural lands, and ensuring active community stakeholders' involvement in planning. Furthermore, embracing nature-based measures such as constructed wetlands and green corridors is advisable in a bid to make the urban space more resilient as well as counteract the impacts of climate change.

Lastly, the study concludes that coping with the environmental consequences of urbanization requires harmonized, visionary, and inclusive urban planning policy, active public participation, and regulation of green building practice to present Kathmandu Valley with an ecologically secure and sustainable future.