This research paper ‘Sustainable Urban Mobility Conditions in Kathmandu Valley Nepal‘ by Madhab Raj Neupane, explores the conditions necessary to achieve sustainable urban mobility (SUM) in Kathmandu Valley. It reviews global best practices, analyzes existing policies and institutions in Nepal, and identifies the gaps preventing effective implementation. The study emphasizes that sustainable mobility is not just about infrastructure but about ensuring people’s mobility needs, rights, and choices are met while balancing environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
Key Points
- Current Mobility Challenges: Kathmandu Valley faces severe congestion, high levels of air pollution, frequent accidents, and rising dependence on private vehicles (93% of all vehicles, mostly motorcycles). Public transport quality is poor, with overcrowding, safety concerns, and inadequate accessibility for vulnerable groups.
- Mobility Needs & Rights: Key groups with high mobility demands include workers, students, tourists, and marginalized populations (children, elderly, and persons with disabilities). Yet, infrastructure and services often fail to accommodate their rights to safe, affordable, and inclusive mobility.
- Policy Framework: Nepal’s Constitution (2015) and subsequent policies highlight sustainable transport goals, but most remain aspirational. Legal frameworks are fragmented, strategies lack enforcement mechanisms, and there is insufficient alignment between federal, provincial, and local governments.
- Institutional Gaps: Many agencies share overlapping responsibilities without clear coordination. Local governments, despite having mandates, lack the mechanisms and manpower to implement SUM effectively. The Kathmandu Valley Development Authority has policy vision but limited capacity.
- Global Lessons & Indicators: Drawing on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) from Europe and other global experiences, the study compiles 148 indicators across nine sustainability areas (environment, economy, quality of life, governance, infrastructure, inclusivity, etc.) and adapts them to Kathmandu’s context.
- Major Gaps: Weak policy enforcement, poor institutional functionality, inadequate resources, and lack of citizen participation are the main barriers. SUM is too often reduced to road widening rather than comprehensive strategies.
- Proposed Way Forward: Develop an integrated framework of SUM indicators for Kathmandu; prioritize people-centered planning; strengthen institutions and resources; and ensure citizen engagement in decision-making, monitoring, and implementation.