21 June 2024, Lalitpur.

Regional and Urban Planners Society of Nepal (RUPSON), in collaboration with Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), European Union (EU), USAID, UNOPS, UN-Habitat and Cities Alliance successfully organized National Planners Congress with the theme "Local Action for Sustainable Cities & Communities" on 21 June 2024 at Nepal Administrative Staff College, Jawalakhel. The event witnessed the participation of 80 esteemed Planners, Architects, Social Development Experts, Young Professionals, Academia, Government officials, and development partners, focusing on new town development, localization of urban planningand promoting inclusive cities and resilient communities.

The Congress, as part of "Cities 4 Women" project being implemented jointly by UNOPS, UN-Habitat and Cities Alliance in six municipalities in Nepal emphasized promotion of inclusive open space with engagement of intersectional communities for climate-resilient urban development. The event was graced by the presence of Prof. Dr. Sangeeta Singh, Hon’ble member of National Planning Commission (NPC). As a keynote speaker, she highlighted the significance of decentralized management and the national strategy to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Singh called for alignment of development programs with the government's 16th periodic plan and urged stakeholders to focus on achieving the SDGs.

The Congress commenced with welcoming remarks from Arjun Koirala, Vice-Chairperson of RUPSON who emphasized using smart tools and technologies for sustainable cities. Komal Karki, Country Manager of UNOPS, and Maniram Gelal, Secretary of MoUD, stressed the need for infrastructure development and integration of local and indigenous knowledge in urban planning.

During the event, RUPSON felicitated senior urban planner Madhav Bhakta Mathema for his significant contributions to the urban planning sector in Nepal. Prof. Dr. Singh, felicitating him, recognizing Mathema's dedication and for encouraging the promotion of indigenous urban planning practices.

The Congress featured three technical sessions. The first session was chaired by Padhma Kumar Mainali, Head of Urban Development and Joint Secretary of MoUD. The session focused on new town development. Discussions included the importance of infrastructure and participatory planning, with insights shared by Yek Raj Adhikari and Kumar Dhamala.

The second session was moderated by Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, former vice-chair of NPC. It addressed stakeholder experiences in urban planning. The key issues highlighted were lack of research-driven policy reform and minimal inter-governmental coordination.

The third session on inclusive cities, chaired by Sarita Maskey, GESI specialist emphasized gender and social inclusion in urban planning. Presentations by Kamal Adhikari, Senior Sociologist of MoUD and Rama Dhakal, General Secretary of the Federation of Women with Disability Nepal highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and accurate data for inclusive urban development.

On behalf of the funding agencies of the project Ms. Eloisa Astudillo from the European Union and Sushil Poudel from USAID provided remarks. Mr. Poudel highlighted the historic collaboration between USAID and MoUD to enhance local government capacity in urban planning, including the formulation of Risk Sensitive Land Use Plans (RSLUP) and their integration into local development agendas. Ms. Astudillo underscored the significance of the Cities4Women project in strengthening Nepal's federal system, noting that the EU and USAID are supporting local governments in implementing inclusive and participatory urban planning that respects Nepali culture and tradition.

The Congress provided a platform for intensive discussions on urban planning issues in Nepal, fostering new collaborations and enhancing capacity of participants. Key outcomes included a commitment from stakeholders to support the "Cities 4 Women" initiative and recognition of the need for both social and technical knowledge in urban planning.

The National Planners Congress successfully elevated the professional standing of planners in Nepal and set a pathway for more resilient and inclusive urban development. By fostering collaboration among national and international partners, the event underscored the importance of decentralized management, local knowledge, and smart strategies in achieving sustainable development goals. The Congress's outcomes and learnings will guide future initiatives, ensuring more effective and inclusive urban planning in Nepal.