Design Guidelines for Bamboo-Based Structural Construction Approved

The government has endorsed design guidelines for the use of bamboo in structural construction. 

According to the Ministry of Urban Development, Minister Kulman Ghising approved the guidelines on Monday, November 24. Ghising currently oversees the portfolios of Urban Development; Physical Infrastructure and Transport; and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

The guidelines are expected to help institutionalise the engineering design and construction of one- to two-storey residential, small commercial, and industrial buildings using bamboo as a primary structural material. They aim to promote affordable and eco-friendly construction options, particularly in areas where access to steel and concrete is limited.

“By reducing dependency on bricks, cement, and iron, and utilising locally available bamboo for structural applications, we can enable the construction of affordable and durable housing — even for families living below the poverty line,” Minister Ghising said.

The new standards outline requirements for bamboo harvesting, grading, chemical treatment, storage, and appropriate use. They also provide practical design methods, detailing guidelines, and sample house plans demonstrating how bamboo can support earthquake-resistant, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective construction, the ministry said.

Preparation of the guidelines included material testing and validation conducted at the Institute of Engineering’s Pulchowk and Thapathali campuses, the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology, and Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology, according to the Ministry of Urban Development. Technical experts from the urban development and building construction fields also contributed to the drafting process.

Bamboo is widely used in rural areas for a variety of purposes, including framing and construction.

Earlier this year in July, Tirtharaj Bhattarai, Mayor of Khotang’s Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadh Municipality staged a hunger strike at Kathmandu’s Maitighar Mandala. One of his key demands was the introduction of policy measures to promote the use of bamboo. From February 27 to March 1, the municipality hosted the First National Bamboo Conference in Diktel Bazar, drawing more than 700 participants, including bamboo entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry stakeholders from across Nepal.