2024 Reports

Building Climate Resilience in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Learning from Ancient Settlement Planning and Design

Joshi, Kirti Kusum

The Kathmandu Valley, Nepal's largest urban region, faces the intertwined challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change. Unplanned urban expansion around compact traditional settlements, haphazard construction of buildings, urban sprawl encroaching upon farmlands, and intrusion into natural drainage areas—all driven by anthropogenic activities—have collectively led to annual disastrous floods and inundation, causing substantial economic losses. The increase in built-up areas has also gradually intensified the Urban Heat Island effect in the Valley. This study explores how ancient settlement planning and design principles can inform urban planning for building climate resilience. Insights from compact layouts, locally sourced materials, and climate-responsive architecture underscore the efficacy of nature-based solutions. The study advocates a departure from exclusive reliance on technological and engineering interventions, urging a holistic integration of ancient wisdom into contemporary urban planning. This imperative extends beyond the confines of the Kathmandu Valley to any urban region with a historical legacy of nature-based planning.