Nepal-especially Kathmandu is urbanizing rapidly with the urbanization rate of 4.7% annually and the population has increased 61% in last decade. In this context the living space has been squeezing and land has become scarce and expensive. To meet the demand, settlements are being dense and are rising vertically posing threat to life and property from the possible earthquake and being unaffordable by the low and middle income group people.

To overcome the situation Lumanti- a non-governmental working for urban poor for last 20 years with support from International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED) is conducting a research on urban density of Kathmandu: Planning for low rise high density settlements. During the outcome sharing program of the research organised by Lumanti on 20 August 2013 at Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), Arif Hasan from Slum Dweller International (SDI) told that the density of population in different parts of the world is increasing and they are bound to live in vulnerable condition, however if proper planning is done, people can be accommodated in denser settlement in liveable environment. Pointing out at the possibility of densification for decent settlement he told, ?Previously in slums of Bangkok people were living in very vulnerable dense settlement however after government intervention by construction of planned settlement for those slum dwellers people are living in a dignified condition with the density of population as high as 5000 people/ hectare.?  Clarifying the key objective of the research he told that it is vital to understand the extent of densification of settlement in planned manner and more importantly whether those densified settlements can be afforded by low and middle income group in Kathmandu.

Presenting his outcome of the partial research done in Chabahil, Khusibu land pooling area, Naradevi, and informal settlements at Sankhamool and Bansighat, Amit Bajracharya, Community architect from Lumanti told that the urban density is high in the peripheral and core city area of Kathmandu. He also pointed out at the squeezing communal space decreasing area for social interaction and playing space for children. The research found that besides the lesser living space, people are also facing problem with sanitation, noise pollution, light and ventilation, parking, traffic and most importantly water, and social environment. However slum dwellers seemed to be satisfied with the existing infrastructures in their community though they had issues of land tenure and unhealthy environment.  Also people preferred to live in single house with the plot size of 3-5 anas than in the apartments indicating possibility of extension of city haphazardly which is not sustainable. Presenting one of the appropriate solution he presented the hypothetical planning for the low rise high density settlement at Sankhamool with similar design of ancient settlement in Kathmandu i.e. courtyard system accommodating 1680 people per hectare. He also recommended adapting the courtyard system for the planning of dense settlement and to prefer low-rise high density settlements for proper urban management.

During the floor discussion it was suggested to incorporate environmental and ecological concern along with sustainability and proper ventilation while developing such communities. And also to compare its efficiency with the high rise building which are increasing in the Kathmandu valley. Director General of DUDBC Sambhu K.C suggested to coordinate with the government authorities as well to come up with the best results. Prafulla Pradhan suggested making some consideration for poor people in the by-laws which asks for of minimum 2 ana 2paisa for construction of house.

Gordan Mc from IIED suggested that urbanization has always been associated with the economic development however it is also vital to see its relation with the social and environmental aspect of the city. ?Planning of a city without reference of traditional knowledge of the city will not produce sustainable settlement,? he said. He hoped that the research will be helpful in planning sustainable settlement for Kathmandu valley.

Thanking the participants of the program Executive director of Lumanti, Lajana Manadhar told that the research will be instrumental for developing affordable housing to urban poor and also sustainable housing in Kathmandu Valley.