Experts Call for Integrated Policies and Collaboration for Smart Urban Development

Experts have stressed the need for effective policy implementation, inter-agency coordination, and local collaboration to promote sustainable and smart urban development in Nepal.

Speaking at the National Conference on Smart Urban Planning and Development organised by the Nepal PhD Association in collaboration with various government and non-government organisations, participants highlighted gaps in the implementation of existing urban policies and the lack of systematic planning in major cities.

Vice Chancellor of Nepal University, Dr Bindunath Lohani, said that developing smart cities requires balanced attention to infrastructure, transportation, environment, and pollution control. He added that smart city planning should make optimal use of natural resources such as air, water, and solar energy.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development, Navaraj Pyakurel, acknowledged that while the government has already formulated several urban policies, their poor execution remains a challenge. “The problem arises when plans and policies are made but not implemented,” he said, pledging that the Ministry would consider the conference’s recommendations.

Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) Commissioner Januka Dhakal noted that many cities in the past were built without adequate study, expressing confidence that feedback from such discussions would help guide the design of future smart cities. She said the KVDA, established in 2012, has been working with the goal of building a smart city model.

Prof Dr Lekhnath Sharma, chairperson of the Policy Research Institute, emphasised the need to transform existing urban structures while introducing new technologies. He underlined that urban policy should focus on effective and practical implementation rather than conceptual discussions.

Former Minister Ganesh Shah said that awareness among people’s representatives at all three tiers of government is vital for smart city development. He added that projects should maximise the use of local resources to ensure sustainability.

UN-Habitat representative Pragya Pradhan and WWF representative Dr Ghanashyam Gurung underscored the need for long-term planning to achieve sustainable urbanisation. They said that introducing an efficient water recharge system should be a key priority in all smart city projects.

Nepal PhD Association President Dr Sunil Babu Shrestha said that with 56 percent of Nepal’s population now living in urban areas, urbanisation policies must be effectively implemented from the central to the local level. He added that recommendations from the two-day conference will be issued as the Kathmandu Declaration, which will serve as a policy guideline for future initiatives in smart urban development.