IMPACT OF BAGMATI CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT ON LOCAL LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Urban river corridors are considered to be prolific areas for development. They not only have numerous commercial potential but also are usually considered potentially attractive and ecologically interesting urban spaces. They have become prime targets for redevelopment in Western and European countries, offering the opportunity to create mixed use, high-density and high-quality communities and further adding to city beautification and environmental protection.

The Bagmati River flowing through the core has very high environmental, social, historical and cultural value. However haphazard and tremendous urban growth as a result of improper planning, management and numerous problems has resulted in the degradation of the river converting it into virtually an open sewer. This has degraded not only the environment but also affected the economic opportunities of the surrounding land.

In this aspect the research tries to identify the existing situation of the study area in relation to road development and the land use and environmental problems encountered as a result. This research examines the changes that have occurred in the study area over a period of four decades mainly focusing on the land use and river environment aspect, ultimately analyzing the present scenario. A descriptive approach including several field observations, questionnaire survey of buildings along the river corridor road and analysis of aerial and satellite images through digitization was applied in the study.

In the existing situation commercialization is inevitable in the area and so should be further promoted in a planned manner together with keeping the river environment in mind. Ultimately the main aim of this study is to help in guiding future urban river corridor road developments in order to realize their full potentials, to learn from the existing problems encountered by the Bagmati River Corridor Road and so to provide the necessary guidelines and recommendations for proper development in future cases.