Kathmandu, May 28: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, has said every local level would have an urban centre.
The concept of ‘rural urbanization’ will be materialized at each local level where there will have bazaar, health facility, community buildings and other amenities, DPM Singh shared while responding to the queries raised during the National Assembly meeting on Wednesday.
He argued the facilities available in cities would be ensured at local levels as per this concept. “The Ministry of Urban Development has prepared an outline for the sustainable and inclusive urbanization. It is aimed at bridging the rural-urban divide, thereby creating a foundation for modern, prosperous and well managed cities.
The new concepts would be enforced gradually,” he explained, adding, “Concept of integrated urban development was introduced to link villages with cities. Essential urban facilities such as road, electricity, health, education would be reached to villages that further aim to connect cities to rural productions.”
As the DPM explained, the concept of ‘land pooling’ was forwarded again to build 10 new cities along the mid-hill highway that is spacious for the households of at least 100 thousand people. It will be enforced under the new urban project.
Ten more places (including Kathmandu, Pokhara and Butwal) would be developed as smart cities which incorporate facilities like digital technology, green energy and well managed transport system. “These will be modern environment-friendly cities.
Nepal government has also endorsed the smart city indictors, 2082 to develop the smart city outline,” the DPM informed the lawmakers at National Assembly.
In view of the dwindling infrastructures in the old cities like Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Birgunj and Janakpur, the government is planning to restructure these cities with the protection of social aspects. The cultural heritages would be preserved and developed as touristy places, he shared.
Cooperation with local levels would be strengthened, especially on road expansion, and management of drainage and garbage. The ministry was for balanced urbanization in all seven provinces. Total 54 cities would be made systematic along with some new establishments.
The DPM further explained the schemes like establishment of industries would be based on locally available resources and tools so that new cities could be built as economic hubs. Ecology-friendly cities would be prioritized by the government in all geographical regions. #nepal # rural urbanization #rss
