| Author | Shakya, Sheetu |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UE-98-11 |
| Subject(s) | Historic sites--Nepal--Kathmandu--Conservation and restoration
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Temples and ghats situated along the Bishnumati corridor hold cultural and
religious heritage significance for Kathmandu City residents. In the past couple of
decades the visual and aesthetic quality of heritage sites is constantly deteriorating,
depriving the future generation their right to be a part of their traditional function.
The various micro-level urban environmental problems; solid waste disposal,
slaughter operation, open toilet and problems created by squatter residents,
threatens the traditional values of the corridor.
To find out the degree of urban environmental problems faced by the heritage sites,
reconnaissance survey, socio-economic survey, environmental assessment tour and
group discussions were conducted. Implication of legislation and the role of various
agencies and institutions were also analyzed. Expe1t opinion surveys were
conducted with regards to revitalization of heritage sites through Local Urban
Environmental Management Action Planning (LUEMAP). Community meetings
were held to analyze the interest of the community to be involved in such an action
planning.
A SWOT analysis was conducted to propose a LUEMAP for the revitalization of
heritage sites along the eastern Bishnumati Corridor.
Altogether four significant heritage sites, Teku Dhovan, Kankeswar, Indrayani and
Ram Ghat are located along the study area. Not all of these heritage sites face all
four urban environmental to the same degree. The more the number of lower caste
Newars residing in the periphery of the heritage sites the greater the number of
urban environmental problems, was an interesting cause identified during this study.
Among the various urban environmental management efforts of Municipal
Infrastructure Improvement Project (MIIP), those that require technical manpower
and hired labor have been successful. However, UEM actions of MIIP requiring
local participation from the planning, implementing and monitoring stage have not
been able to reach the targeted goals.
In order to revitalize cultural heritage sites along the eastern Bishnumati corridor
and save them from further deterioration, the research proposes a LUEMAP for
Kankeswar and similar heritage complex. The LUEMAP is based on the
community building spirit of the local people whose active participation in planning
and implementation of the various projects is envisaged to solve the urban
environmental problems.
The speedy implementation of the LUEMAP is highly recommended. Once the
project attains success then the plan is expected to be replicated in the different
heritage sites along both sides of the Bishnumati corridor and other similar sites.
This action plan seeks to revitalize both the cultural and religious value of the
heritage sites and maintain their visual and aesthetic quality. This will ensure that
the future generations are not deprived of their rights to the traditional functions
connected with the heritage sites. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Jamieson, Walter; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Zimmermann, Willi ;Kammeier, H. Detlef; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Canadian Universities Consortium (CUC-CIDA) ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |