Building Homes First, Searching for Roads Later: Challenges of Unplanned Urbanization in Nepal
Despite rapid urbanization in Nepal, unplanned physical development has led to the loss of agricultural land and the growth of vulnerable settlements. For long-term prosperity, it is essential to prioritize scientific land utilization and effectively implement risk-sensitive urban planning before construction begins. I have heard the phrase ‘Prosperous Nepal’ repeatedly in speeches, policy documents, meetings, and every development slogan. However, when I walk through the city streets, observe newly expanding settlements, flood-affected roads during the rainy season, and increasingly narrow public spaces alongside house walls, one question arises — is building a prosperous country merely a dream or our shared commitment?
We build houses first, then look for roads later. After settling neighborhoods, we discuss where to build drainage. We encroach upon rivers to construct homes, and when floods come, we say, ‘That area was just a riverbed!’ Each monsoon, pictures of submerged roads circulate on social media, sparking discussion for a few days. Yet, soon after, new houses appear in those same places, and settlements expand further. Nepal is urbanizing rapidly. New cities are emerging, old cities are expanding, and construction activities are increasing. But we must admit, the pace of physical infrastructure development far exceeds the planning process.
The consequences are the loss of rivers and open public spaces, conversion of agricultural lands into concrete landscapes, and basic infrastructure struggling to meet the growing demands of the population. Sometimes it feels as though we are creating problems instead of cities. Our development approach is: first build walls, then consider where to put the door; first expand the city, and only years later ask, ‘Where shall we put the roads?’ A city does not form overnight. It is the result of decades of both right and wrong decisions.
