Housing - having a physical, social and cultural infrastructure - is understood to be a place of human habitat, recognized as one of the basic needs for human beings. At present, there are two types of housing prevalent in Nepal. The first one is built by the owner himself/herself and the other is high-rise apartment buildings or colonies constructed by the housing companies. In this context, today housing has increasingly become one of the most prominent businesses, particularly in the capital city of Nepal. The concept of real estate and housing came to Kathmandu around 1990, but it took almost a decade to catch on. Prior to that, the people of the city would plan for almost five years to build their own houses. The housing industry spared them from the burden of long and arduous task of finding a location for constructing a building, collecting materials and so on and so forth. Similarly, the luxurious and well-facilitated housing that offered European and American style dwellings within the colony lured the moneyed class to communal living. Today, the demand for housing - both individual and apartment - is increasing because people can avail of many facilities.
Urbanization and housing situation
Urbanization is also synonymous to migration, land purchase, building construction and infrastructural facilities. The urban population growth rate is almost double that of the rural population. At present, 91.6 per cent and 72 per cent of the people own houses in the country and urban areas respectively. The share of temporary housing is almost half of the total housing and the urban areas and buildings are vulnerable to natural disasters in general and earthquake in particular. The buildings with damp walls and leaky roofs are close to 10 per cent needing up-gradation. The squatter population has almost touched 10 per cent. Urbanization is an indication of transformation from the agricultural to non-agricultural economies and housing is one of the basic needs that hold increased significance because the countries receive more contribution from the urban areas. According to Nepal Living Standards Survey (NLSS) 2004, a total of 22 per cent of urban dwellers felt the provision of housing is inadequate. In Nepal 2.5 million new houses meaning a total of 250,000 new houses are being constructed per year and about 17 per cent (43,653 new units every year) of them in urban areas. Besides, 732,000 units are to be upgraded, 60 per cent of them in the urban areas. The government is expecting 75 per cent contribution to national economy from the urban areas which is not possible unless urban housing is not given due attention. The government should spend more as India spends 4.0 and China 6.0 per cent of their GDP while Nepal spends only 0.3 per cent of GDP in housing. In the ongoing three year plan, it is planning to spend Rs. 6 billion.
Housing and investment
A big portion of national per capita consumption goes to housing and cash saving is the most important source for housing. A total of 63 per cent owners build their houses whereas 47 per cent of the land area is being used for household consumption, 29 per cent for personal use and 24 per cent for business and farming. According to NLSS 2004, the number of urban households stands at 664,507 with 23.5 per cent of the total urban population staying on rent. However, 78 per cent of those households had houses outside Kathmandu. It is revealed that 7,500 new households are constructed every year in Kathmandu alone. Given that 23.5 per cent of households are on rent, there is a shortage of apartments for rent and the biggest constraints are funding and lack of adequately served housing plots. There is very little investment in urban areas in Nepal; it is only 2.0 per cent of the national budget, according to ADB. Previously, housing loan was not available from the financial institutions to commoners. The Karmachari Sanchaya Kosh started providing housing loan in 1971 for the depositors with an interest rate ranging from 8 to 12 per cent. Nepal Housing Development Finance Company was the first finance company established in 1989 to grant loan for the improvement of existing housing arrangements, launching new housing schemes, and providing housing related services with a maximum tenure of 15 years at 12 per cent interest. All loans are payable to the company on an equated monthly installment basis following diminishing balance principle. In the recent days, with growing urbanization and housing needs in the urban areas, most of the commercial banks, insurance companies, financial institutions and cooperatives provide home loan at interest rates ranging from 9 to 16 per cent.
Challenges
There is very little data available on urban housing in Nepal. The first shelter policy was introduced in 1996 and is now under review in the changed context. So, there is a policy gap. The government of Nepal has committed to the MDGs and shelter for all but it is heavily neglected in terms of investment and making it a basic right of the people to have a decent housing for all. The housing companies have been catering to the needs of rich class only; the poor cannot afford the housing in such colonies. So, on the one hand the housing business is increasingly providing shelters, employments and access to modern facilities to the middle and high class people, but on the other hand it seems to have overlooked the core issue of urban poor. Contrary to the scenario of Nepal, housing projects in other countries aim to cater to the needs of economically weaker section of the society. At the same time, the private housing development projects have been suffering from lack of finance, lack of proper legislation on housing development and housing provision for the poor and disadvantaged like orphans, street children and displaced.
Way ahead
The urban housing deserves increased significance because the countries receive more contribution from the urban areas. At present, the urban contribution to the national GDP in Nepal is 62 per cent while rural areas contribute only 38 per cent. The upcoming national plan is expecting a 75 per cent contribution from the urban areas. It would be a farfetched proposition to seek higher contribution from the urban areas if housing is not given due attention. It’s been a decade since private housing schemes have come forward. Recent data shows that as many as 30 private companies have come into being to build and supply the houses, but only 15 companies have got the necessary sanction from the Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee.
The national housing survey back in the early 1990s and the latest NLSS survey do not provide necessary data about housing. So far as the quality and physical fitness is concerned, the houses built by the housing companies are too costly. Moreover, housing in Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu Valley, is vulnerable in many ways: the first and the foremost, these housing are vulnerable to earthquake and floods. Therefore we can draw a conclusion that many housing projects lack open space, lack of parking, weak management and security and the public investment is almost insignificant. Hence, the urban areas in Nepal are facing serious problems of unavailability of the serviced housing plots and lack of financial resources to own a house; the apartments constructed by the housing colonies are unaffordable, there is a lack of housing for the disadvantaged groups, there is a rise in squatting, and the available housing is vulnerable to earthquake. Therefore, the urgent needs ahead include policy reforms to encourage and strengthen rural-urban relation, provision of affordable housing through partnership with the private sector, use of appropriate technology for making the public buildings safe and cost effective and affordable to make urban life easier, more comfortable and competitive.
by: Rajendra P Sharma
Kavre cancels public land registered in locals’ names
MANOJ BASNET
Kavre: The Kavre District Land Revenue Office (DLRO) has cancelled the registration of public land in the name of individuals.
Around 30 hectares of public land along the Indrawati River at Mahadevsthan VDC-4 were illegally registered in the name of locals.
Following report about the land registration, a two-member probe committee comprising District Survey Officer Magnu Datta and a Branch Officer of the DLRO was formed on March 4 to investigate. The committee submitted a report stating that the land actually belongs to the government.
“We found during investigation that the land belongs to the government, and on the basis of findings we cancelled its registration,” said DLRO chief Janardan Guragain.
The land was registered in the name of the locals at the behest of then chief district officer Damodar Upadhyay, DLRO Chief Mukunda Prasad Upadhyay, District Forest Officer Mohan Krishna Manandhar, District Forest Office Chief Bijaya Paudel, District judge Dhakaldhoj Thapa and Pradhan Pancha Tanka Prasad Lamsal on April 19, 1982, who later shifted the registration to their relatives’ names.
Chief District Officer Sudhir Kumar Shah said the decision has saved land worth millions of rupees from being squandered.
source: The Kathmandu Post, 20 April 2011,
Kavre: The Kavre District Land Revenue Office (DLRO) has cancelled the registration of public land in the name of individuals.
Around 30 hectares of public land along the Indrawati River at Mahadevsthan VDC-4 were illegally registered in the name of locals.
Following report about the land registration, a two-member probe committee comprising District Survey Officer Magnu Datta and a Branch Officer of the DLRO was formed on March 4 to investigate. The committee submitted a report stating that the land actually belongs to the government.
“We found during investigation that the land belongs to the government, and on the basis of findings we cancelled its registration,” said DLRO chief Janardan Guragain.
The land was registered in the name of the locals at the behest of then chief district officer Damodar Upadhyay, DLRO Chief Mukunda Prasad Upadhyay, District Forest Officer Mohan Krishna Manandhar, District Forest Office Chief Bijaya Paudel, District judge Dhakaldhoj Thapa and Pradhan Pancha Tanka Prasad Lamsal on April 19, 1982, who later shifted the registration to their relatives’ names.
Chief District Officer Sudhir Kumar Shah said the decision has saved land worth millions of rupees from being squandered.
source: The Kathmandu Post, 20 April 2011,
The primary responsibility for safe houses is with individuals
The 9.0-magnitude earthquake in Japan on March 11 and the resulting tsunami has led to the death of at least 13,000 and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. This has understandably caused anxiety among other quake-prone countries, Nepal being one of the most vulnerable in Asia and Kathmandu, according to one ranking, the most vulnerable city in the world. Recent tremors in the Indo-Nepal border region have also heightened concern about the next big one, which seismologists believe is long overdue. Amy Sellmyer and Danielle Preiss spoke to the Executive Director of the National Society of Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET), the country’s foremost institution working on earthquake risk management, Amod Mani Dixit, about regional implications of the Japan quake, the state of Nepal’s preparedness and what common people can do to save lives.
Has the Japan earthquake resulted in pressure shifts along fault lines that could make an earthquake more likely here?
No. Japan sits astride the boundary of several plates collectively known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. Our plate boundary system—which extends from the Mediterranean to the Himalayas down the Burmese arc to Sumatra and then splits New Zealand in half—is different. But even if they were the same, earthquake events are not necessarily related. We can’t assume the Sumatran earthquake triggered the Christchurch earthquake, nor that the Christchurch earthquake or the Sendai earthquake could trigger an earthquake in Nepal. Their relationship is remote.
But within one fault segment, there is a connection—like the 7.1 aftershock in Japan. What happens is, in a particular region, stress can accumulate along a stress line of 300-400 kilometres. When there is a large seismological event, there can be other parts along the fault that remain locked but which could later turn into aftershocks when pressure is released.
In the last week, there have been three earthquakes in the subcontinent. Are frequent events along the same stress line a forewarning or indicator of a larger event?
They could be foreshocks. But what happened in the last week could also be the main event. Unfortunately, you can’t determine this until you see the whole series. But we must be cautious. We are concerned about a mega event to the west of Kathmandu. The stress has been accumulating and it is more than what is required to trigger a large event. So if there is a 5.0 tremor, be cautious—your emergency kit should be ready and you should have a set personal response plan. Any tremor could be a foreshock, especially in this region.
According to international risk assessment agencies, Nepal is still grossly underprepared for a major earthquake. What is the reason for this?
When you look at what kills, 80 percent of the risk comes from bad buildings. But no one wants to retrofit to comply with building codes. It’s much more lucrative to demolish a building and hand it over to a contractor to rebuild it—never mind if they don’t know about earthquake-resistant construction. This is not taught in our universities, not even in premier Indian engineering institutions up to the Bachelor’s level. This is a big problem.
The education system is responding to the market. Instead of learning how to design the types of buildings we have in Nepal, Nepali engineering students would rather design a 50-story building in Dubai or a magnificent structure in Malaysia or California—that knowledge lands them international jobs. Not a single institution is teaching how to build these typical two-story, brick, mud-mortar houses.
Without properly trained engineers, what hope do we have for construction of safe buildings?
Actually, 93 percent of all the buildings in Nepal are constructed by masons with no engineering input. We are more interested in training the masses; in the last 10 years we’ve trained about 5,000 masons. All the improvements in building construction in Kathmandu are not because of engineers, but because of masons. Some of them may even be illiterate, but they know how to build safer buildings.
The government is working, but the prime motivation is money. They still award consultancies to the lowest bidder, not those most concerned with safety. Contractors have similar motivations. And there is no system to control the quality and process of their work. On top of that, there is no system of accountability. This risk we are facing doesn’t fit anywhere into the political process. It is not a priority.
If most of the risk is in the buildings, what does awareness really do for people who can’t control the buildings?
The primary responsibility for safe houses remains with the individual. Forget about the building permit process, that is just a control mechanism that comes from the top. Unless the house owner wants to make his home earthquake resistance, no one can compel him.
There still seems to be a gap in knowledge and concrete plans at the individual level, especially for those in vulnerable households.
Every person must try to reduce existing vulnerabilities and prepare themselves to survive. Even in vulnerable buildings, you must find out where the safest places are. Because of the asymmetry of buildings, during a seismic event they rotate. When it rotates, the farther away from the centre of the building, the larger the movement. This means the outer walls fall down earlier than inner walls. The chances of surviving are higher towards the centre of the house. If you are on an upper floor, do not run to the stairs. They are usually not tied to the building’s foundational structure and are the first to go. This is usually where the most bodies are found.
Is it a good idea to run outside?
Unless you are located near the exit on the ground floor and have a yard outside, do not try to leave the building. If it’s a big one, say 7.5 magnitude or above, you can’t even take more than five steps. You have to train yourself on how to reach the safest place you can in those five steps. When the trembler stops, make sure the staircase is okay, then you have to go out. Then switch off the electricity line. These do’s and don’ts need to be known. That’s how you save yourself.
Now the question is how to save your wife, or your children, say if they are being crushed by fallen slab. Unlike in Japan, rescuers here may come only after 10 days, if they come at all. Living here, you must know how to use a wedge to lift a heavy object and a chisel to pry open the door. Once you go out, you shouldn’t go back inside. It is a good idea to put together a small kit to keep outside the door with tools. These are the things that save people.
It doesn’t matter if the minister demands or not, anyone can prepare a household kit—you decide for yourself. That’s what we are preaching. It isn’t required for a minister to sign a law or the mayor to enforce a code—these things can still be done.
source: The Kathmandu Post(2011),"The primary responsibility for safe houses is with individuals", The Kathmandu Post, 11 april 2o11
Photo: The Kathmandu Post
Elements of design
Manish Mudvari
In the Kathmandu Valley, there is a fascinating blend of traditional and modern contemporary architecture. Some may call it dirty architecture without parity in design work, but some are still in favour of the architectural scenario in Nepal. The debate for and against contemporary design styles in the Valley is a hot topic among architects. The school favouring traditional architecture—including traditional Newari Malla style architecture—is not completely submissive to the modern style designers and their crafts. Still somehow, when people are involved in the design of their own houses they prefer those that accommodate easy lifestyles, which are only catered to by contemporary styles. What is right and what is wrong is always a question of personal moral ethics—this involves architecture, urban planning and professions too.
Everyone is still in awe of the design of the palaces designed during the 104-year Rana regime in Nepal. People still cherish the sculptures and voluminous Rana-style buildings scattered around the Valley as well as in places away from the hustle bustle like Kalaiya and Palpa.
Those old designs, and what we mean here by that are the few traditional styles of architecture, are filled with modern height and planning consciousness. These structures skilfully fuse traditional architecture with modern lifestyles. The exquisitely carved antique woodwork set against simple modern surroundings is almost nullified these days with the construction of high-rises. Modern builders still have their eyes upon the impressive detail in traditional houses of the Valley.
The buildings that need a specific design style like monasteries are adopting have stuck to the same old style. But there is room for growth even in these classic designs. The incorporation of modern elements in typical designs certainly add to the architectural flair, though this is very rare.
Many building are ‘add on’, with additions made over time. They must change over time as an adaptive method for the buildings and their users to grow with changing demands. Old buildings had low ceilings. That is why those, which were later converted to museums and other adaptive uses, were later redesigned for convenience or dismantled and re-designed in eclectic modern styles. The staircases in old houses were also somewhat clumsy and narrow, modern ones are highly elaborate like wide spiral staircases. The lack of wide, flat terraces also added to the grievances of residents of the traditional Newari style houses which have now been improved with these elements at different levels of elevation. Some designers even propose using rooftop designs for making gardens. Steep ladders in traditional-style homes also created some havoc for residents forced to use them. And one-way ventilation with windows on only one side of rooms also posed some difficulties. The architectural and planning scenario of the nation is improving day by day. Challenges lie ahead of us to build public consensus and create harmony in the overall building scenario to develop flexible space designs within restricted building limits.
source: The Kathmandu Post (2011),13 April 2011
In the Kathmandu Valley, there is a fascinating blend of traditional and modern contemporary architecture. Some may call it dirty architecture without parity in design work, but some are still in favour of the architectural scenario in Nepal. The debate for and against contemporary design styles in the Valley is a hot topic among architects. The school favouring traditional architecture—including traditional Newari Malla style architecture—is not completely submissive to the modern style designers and their crafts. Still somehow, when people are involved in the design of their own houses they prefer those that accommodate easy lifestyles, which are only catered to by contemporary styles. What is right and what is wrong is always a question of personal moral ethics—this involves architecture, urban planning and professions too.
Everyone is still in awe of the design of the palaces designed during the 104-year Rana regime in Nepal. People still cherish the sculptures and voluminous Rana-style buildings scattered around the Valley as well as in places away from the hustle bustle like Kalaiya and Palpa.
Those old designs, and what we mean here by that are the few traditional styles of architecture, are filled with modern height and planning consciousness. These structures skilfully fuse traditional architecture with modern lifestyles. The exquisitely carved antique woodwork set against simple modern surroundings is almost nullified these days with the construction of high-rises. Modern builders still have their eyes upon the impressive detail in traditional houses of the Valley.
The buildings that need a specific design style like monasteries are adopting have stuck to the same old style. But there is room for growth even in these classic designs. The incorporation of modern elements in typical designs certainly add to the architectural flair, though this is very rare.
Many building are ‘add on’, with additions made over time. They must change over time as an adaptive method for the buildings and their users to grow with changing demands. Old buildings had low ceilings. That is why those, which were later converted to museums and other adaptive uses, were later redesigned for convenience or dismantled and re-designed in eclectic modern styles. The staircases in old houses were also somewhat clumsy and narrow, modern ones are highly elaborate like wide spiral staircases. The lack of wide, flat terraces also added to the grievances of residents of the traditional Newari style houses which have now been improved with these elements at different levels of elevation. Some designers even propose using rooftop designs for making gardens. Steep ladders in traditional-style homes also created some havoc for residents forced to use them. And one-way ventilation with windows on only one side of rooms also posed some difficulties. The architectural and planning scenario of the nation is improving day by day. Challenges lie ahead of us to build public consensus and create harmony in the overall building scenario to develop flexible space designs within restricted building limits.
source: The Kathmandu Post (2011),13 April 2011
Civil Colony phase II booking starts
Civil Homes opened booking of its Civil Colony second phase from Monday. According to developers, the company is building 20 houses under second phase in Galkopakha of Kathamdnu. The colony will have separate commercial area in five ropani of the site.
The company has announced special discount offer with price starting from Rs. 1,32,80,000/- *.
(above mentioned price is after discount, which is applicable only for the full payment done within 15 days)
The company has announced special discount offer with price starting from Rs. 1,32,80,000/- *.
(above mentioned price is after discount, which is applicable only for the full payment done within 15 days)
Booking open for Cozy Homes
Prama Holdings has annnounced booking open for its individual homes project, Cozy homes,located at Imadole, Lalitpur.The location is nearby gwarko ringroad and its 20 mins drive from international airport.The company will be also offering special discount on the occasion of New Year 2068.
According to the developers, Cozy Homes is designed around the principles of universal design, green build and energy efficiency. The technology and tools currently exist are dedicated to incorporating these advancements into todays new construction standards.
According to the developers, Cozy Homes is designed around the principles of universal design, green build and energy efficiency. The technology and tools currently exist are dedicated to incorporating these advancements into todays new construction standards.
Replacing Paint with Paper
The interior walls of a home reflect its personality, and hence it is no surprise that house-owners take pains to make them as attractive as possible. Apart from the conventional wall coverings, paint, and accesories such as wall hangings, frames and paintings, customers are now opting for something more to beautify a room — wallpaper.
The concept of wallpaper entered Nepal almost two decades ago, and it is now popular not only in hotels, corporate and commercial buildings but also in residences. Radha Pathak, senior salesperson of Prime the Furnishing
Interior at Kupondole says, “We find that many of our customers are inclined towards wallpaper as it adds design, style and luxury to any space.” She believes that homeowners have become interior savvy and try their best to create a cosy home and not just build a house. However, she also admits that only about 15 per cent of the total residence owners prefer wallpapers, as paint still seems to be the first choice when it comes to covering walls.
But the awareness about this new technique has steadily escalated. Since its establishment in 2009, Prime has been catering wallpapers to consumers who have ralised its long-term value.“Opting for wallpaper adds a sense of uniqueness and livens up any room,” says Pramod Agrawal, proprietor of Dreams the Furnishing Centre located at AT Complex, New Plaza.
According to him, the pros of wallpaper overpower those of paint as the former is long-lasting compared to the latter. Once applied, wallpaper lasts for at least a decade while paint begins to flake within a few years.This makes wallpaper a more economical option. In addition, Agrawal claims, “Wallpaper can last five times longer than paint unless one wishes to change it according to new trends.
Another advantage is that wallpaper imparts a different look and character that paint cannot give.” He further adds that wallpaper gives off a sense of warmth in winter and coolness during summer.The disadvantage of wallpaper is that it gets spoiled in case of water retention, so it should not be used in kitchens and bathrooms. In humid conditions, the glue may loosen and can cause the wallpaper to peel off. It fades off a little over the years, so it is wise to buy extra rolls of the material.
The market currently provides a wide array of designs and patterns of wallpaper like printed, plain, striped, chequered, highlighted and floral. Customers choose wallpaper as per their requirements. For example, corporate buildings opt for plain, simple and subtle wallpapers whereas residences are more inclined towards bright colours and the trend of us
ing it to highlight some part of wall is increasing.Wallpaper can be used as a border in a painted room.
According to Agrawal, types and themes of furniture, accessories and size and layout of a room also need to be considered while choosing the wallpaper. It would look bizarre if the wallpaper contradicted the overall theme and look of the room. “Most commercial buildings and hotels hire professionals who have ideas and requirements of their own, while those customers who want to decorate residences depend on us ,” he explains.
It is wise to use red, violet, golden and mixed patterns in a bedroom, which will make it classy and romantic.
For living rooms, clients opt for floral and striped patterns and choose to highlight a certain wall or portion. An attractive option is to use darker colours for three walls and focus on one wall or portion by using bright colours. According to Agrawal, one of the reasons for the growing interest in wallpapers is the growing influence of the housing concept as well as Indian soap operas.
Wallpapers are pasted to the walls by skilled professionals from showrooms or by clients themselves. They can be cleaned with a gentle rub. Wallpaper can be easily removed if it is wiped with water, as this soaks the paper and saturates the glue, allowing it to be easily peeled off.
The price of wallpaper depends on the quality and thickness of the material.
The prices range from Rs 1,050 to Rs 1,550 per roll.
Wallpapers that are currently available in the market are imported from India, Belgium, and China.
Do it yourself: ·
> Before starting, ensure that you have enough wallpaper ·
> Measure the walls and calculate the exact amount of required rolls ·
> Dab the wallpaper with glue and paste it carefully on the wall ·
> Rub it with a large sponge or brush to smoothen it and avoid bubbles ·
> Use a putty knife to trim the ends ·
> Use a seam roller to make sure the paper edges are firmly attached
source: The Himalayan Times(2011),"Replacing paint with Paper",The Himalayan Times, 9 April 2011
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