9 October, 2015 Kathmandu, A three-day training workshop on ‘Pro-poor Gender-responsive Land Governance and the Gender Evaluation Criteria’ concluded with a commitment from participants to apply Gender Evaluation Criteria in evaluating and designing land legislation, policies and regulatory framework associated with land governance to address gender concerns.

Theoretical discussions and practical sessions were conducted during the program organized with an objective to enhance capacity of land professionals in evaluating and designing pro-poor gender responsive land governance tools and interventions.

The learning from training will be useful in the changed context after the promulgation of new constitution in Nepal, which has established new land rights and land governance structures are under federal system.

Thirty-six land professionals from five ministries/departments dealing with land and women’s issues, universities and non-governmental organizations participated in the program organized from 6-8 October, 2015 in Kathmandu. Around 45% of them were women.

During the closing ceremony, Nagendra Jha, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Land Reform and Management expressed hope that the training has provided an increased understanding of tools and methods to evaluate existing land tools and design new ones with a gender perspective. Habitat Programme Manager Padma Sunder Joshi and GLTN Expert Lowie Rosales expressed that the training will be useful in pro-poor gender responsive land governance in Nepal and offered all future support in the use of gender evaluation tools in Nepal.

The training workshop was organized by UN-Habitat in Nepal and the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) based in Nairobi and supported by the Ministry of Land Reform and Management of the Government of Nepal.

Few Glimpses of workshop

5 October, 2015 Kathmandu| The World Habitat Day 2015 has been celebrated organizing various activities on the theme ‘Public Spaces for All’ throughout the country.

The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. The purpose of World Habitat Day is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

“The government will formulate stringent rules to promote creation of open spaces and its maintenance. In order to establish adequate public open spaces accessible to all, it requires a clear roadmap and support from all stakeholders concerned” said Mr. Narayan Khadka, Minister for Urban Development at the inaugural session of a half-day workshop on the same theme today.

Highlighting the values and importance of public open spaces, Professor Sudarshan Raj Tiwari stressed on the need of pedestrianization of streets and open spaces to create vibrant cities.

Four presentations on different aspects of public space management and conservation were made by experts at the workshop. Padma Sunder Joshi, Habitat Program Manager at the United National Human Settlements Programme in Nepal made his presentation highlighting the importance of community engagement in creating public spaces not just the design.

Yek Raj Adhikari, Architect from Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) made a presentation on the government plans to build 10 new towns (e.g. Phidim, Dumre-Bhansar, Sanphe Bagar) at the junction of Middle Hills and the provisioning of public open spaces. Other presenters at the workshop were Pushkar Shrestha from Centre for integrated Urban Development and Om Thapaliya of HomeNet Nepal.

On the same occasion, Kathmandu Metropolitan City and UN-Habitat along with local organizations organized a day long campaign ‘KTM Walks’ along Kilagal Nardevi stretch and in Itumbahal to promote walkability and different uses of public spaces. Hundreds of people participated in the campaign and observed traditional arts and artifacts including traditional Newari music and dances.

This campaign in expected to boost government’s plan to arrange atleast one open space for every 25,000 population in the Kathmandu Valley. In order to create additional open spaces, the metropolis has also planned to procure privately owned buildings and land in city’s core areas.

Few glimpses of KTM WALKS on 05 October 2015 

Poster promoting Public Spaces for All.

Vehicle free Kilagal-Nardevi stretch

Traditional newari household items on display along the street

Locals keen at knowing more about green building technologies promoted by UN-Habitat in the event

Teenagers doing flash mob in front of Itumbahal. The houses behind are damaged by earthquake but not the minds.

Kids playing in Itumbahal, the traditional courtyard, celebrating Ktm Walks 2015

Cultural dance performance in Itumbahal in the late evening

Traditional household items being displayed along the street of Kilagal

Promoting local economy through local food stalls for visitors during Ktm Walks

Posters & paintings on display along Kilagal street.

Collage display with a message on use of public spaces.

Traditional household and agricultural items were on display in Taha nani that are slowly vanishing from use.

Locals performing traditional orchestra in Taha nani.

The World Habitat Day 2015 celebration has formally begun today.

Mr. Shambhu KC, Joint Secretary Physical Planning and Urban Development at the Ministry of Urban Development formally opened the World Habitat Day 2015 celebration today amidst an exhibition focusing on ‘public spaces’ at the premises of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC).

The theme for World Habitat Day 2015 is Public Spaces for All.

The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. The purpose of World Habitat Day is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

Highlighting the importance of public open spaces, Rabi Shah, Deputy Director General at the DUDBC under the Ministry of Urban Development stressed on the need to increase public open spaces for the safety of people during disasters.

Various programs have been planned on the occasion of World Habitat Day this year. A half-day workshop on the theme ‘Public Spaces for All’ will be jointly organized by DUDBC and UN-Habitat in Nepal on 5^th October 2015 at DUDBC conference hall. On the same day Kathmandu Metropolitan City along with other partners is organizing a day long (7AM – 7 PM) campaign ‘Ktm Walks’ along Kilagal Nardevi stretch and in Itumbahal to promote walkability and different uses of public spaces.

According to a study done among cities around the world, out of 40 cities, only 7 allocated more than 20% of land to streets in their core and less than 10% in their suburban areas.

This year, the government has also announced to allocate budget to arrange one open space for every 25,000 population in the Kathmandu Valley.

In a message on the occasion of World Habitat Day 2015, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme – UN-Habitat’s Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos mentioned that the streets and public spaces have often been overlooked and undervalued, but are increasingly being considered the backbone of cities. The Sustainable Development Goals also aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

UN-Habitat in Nepal urges all stakeholders and the general public to celebrate this day and promote establishment and promotion of public open spaces.

Read more about World Habitat Day at: www.unhabitat.org/whd