Community Based Development and Urban Conservation in Kathmandu Valley of Nepal
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Community based development and urban conservation in Kathmandu valley of Nepal Learning from Conservation and Development Program in Madhyapur Thimi Master Thesis by Blanca Villar Mateo Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nebel Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Urban Management at Technische Universität Berlin Berlin, July 2014 Statement of authenticity of material This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any institution and t o the bes t of my knowledge and belief, the r esearch contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference has been made in the text of the thesis. Blanca Villar Mateo Berlin, July 2014 2 Abstract Kathmandu valley of Nepal is a significant ancient living urban heritage with outstanding cultural, social, economic and historic values. While World Heritage Sites have been receiving international attention and funding, a great number of national, but especially local heritage areas, are being transformed by forces of globalization and urbanization without enough resources from responsible institutions in the national and local level. On the other hand, the country is facing other challenges, and is trying to overcome poverty and inequality through policies and periodic development plans. These efforts enter in contradiction, in some cases, with preservation of its cultural heritage; which was traditionally managed by community systems, as the guthis in Kathmandu valley. The prolonged political instability also affects efficiency and limits the role of local governments in addressing their inhabitants and their needs. This research studies paradigms of urban conservation and community based development in order to understand the factors which affect societies living in local heritage areas of Kathmandu valley. Between them, contextual aspects as Nepalese notion of authenticity, the socio-spatial segregation of (Newar) society, based on caste and religion, and the political instability have been considered among the most relevant. Global, national and regional issues have been revised and evaluated; especially through a case study, Conservation and Development Program in Madhyapur Thimi. Integrated Heritage Preservation approach is proposed for the improvement of existing conservation practices among municipality and community, seeking a better coordination and cooperation between actors in different levels, and a fairer distribution of resources. Participatory planning schemes adapted carefully to heritage preservation and complexity of each reality would be useful in potential programs aiming to sustain living urban heritages in other similar contexts. In conclusion, there is a need to align the different levels of power and governance with the scales and spaces of action, with consistent knowledge of each specific context and its communities, key actors in living urban heritage preservation and sustainable development. 1 Acknowledgements To the people who made possible the internship in GIZ Nepal and to the ones with whom there I worked and learned; because this research would have not been possible without them To the experts and friends in Nepal with whom I discovered and started understanding their amazing country To the inhabitants of Madhyapur Thimi, for showing me an example of committed communities in sustaining their living urban heritage To the UM team and colleagues, for sharing their worldwide experiences; and to my supervisor, for her useful input and guidance To my friends who support me, near and in the distance And specially to my family, for giving me the opportunity to start this trip 2 Table of contents Abstract…….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………1 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................................... 2 Table of contents ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 List of Boxes .……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5 List of Tables.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………5 List of Figures.……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………5 List of Illustrations ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................................. 7 Introduction.……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………8 Chapter 1 Conceptual framework .................................................................................................................. 10 1.1 Urban conservation and its evolution .................................................................................... 10 1.2 Urban conservation involving communities ........................................................................... 15 1.3 Community based development............................................................................................ 16 1.4 Theoretical framework ........................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 2 Methodological approach ............................................................................................................. 20 2.1 Topic and Issues ................................................................................................................... 20 2.1.1 Topic .............................................................................................................................. 20 2.1.2 Issues ............................................................................................................................ 20 2.2 Research questions and objectives ...................................................................................... 23 2.2.1 Research questions ...................................................................................................... 23 2.2.2 Goal and objectives ....................................................................................................... 23 2.3 Case study ............................................................................................................................ 24 2.3.1 Appropriateness of the case study ................................................................................ 24 2.4 Data collection ....................................................................................................................... 25 2.4.1 Informal talks and interviews ......................................................................................... 26 2.4.2 Small survey .................................................................................................................. 27 2.5 Limitations and ethics ............................................................................................................ 27 2.6 Data processing, analysis and interpretation ........................................................................ 27 Chapter 3 Nepal contextualisation ................................................................................................................ 29 3.1 Introduction to Nepal ............................................................................................................. 29 3.2 National level: urban conservation and development in Nepal ............................................. 30 3.2.1 History of urban conservation ....................................................................................... 30 3.2.2 Local development and urban planning, approaches to community participation ........ 34 3.3 Regional level: urban, cultural and social features in Newar communities of KathmanduValley .. .…………………………………………………………………………………………36 3.3.1 Preservation of tangible and intangible heritage ........................................................... 37 3.3.2 Settlement structure and socio-spatial organization in Newar society .......................... 39 3 3.3.3 Development and tradition: culture, religion and caste in urban life ............................. 40 Chapter 4 Description and analysis of the case study ................................................................................. 41 4.1 Background information about Madhyapur Thimi Municipality ............................................. 41 4.1.1 General information ....................................................................................................... 41 4.1.2 Historic development ..................................................................................................... 42 4.1.3 Spatial configuration with cultural and religious attributes ............................................ 45 4.1.4 Communal heritage and its preservation ...................................................................... 49 4.1.5 Local government and development ............................................................................. 50 4.2 Conservation and Development Program in Madhyapur Thimi (CDPMT) ............................ 50 4.2.1 Community demand based Conservation and Development ....................................... 51 4.2.2 Results framework and realization ...............................................................................