Lamkichuha, 23 August 2024

Lamkichuha Municipality in Kailali District, Sudurpaschim Province, organized a two-day sensitization workshop as a part of the “Cities 4 Women” project implemented with funding support from USAID and EU and in collaboration with of UN-Habitat, UNOPS, and Cities Alliance. The first event, municipal level sensitization and capacity building on “Mainstreaming urban planning in municipal planning process” was organized targeting the municipal stakeholders on 22 August 2024. The workshop facilitated by the UN Habitat and Sundar Nepal sought active participation of around 71 officials including the municipal council (including ward chairpersons), various sections and departments of the municipality, ward secretaries, local NGOs, social organizations, school, media and press representatives. The Deputy Mayor, acting Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Mission Engineer of USAID provided guidance for the collaboration and effective implementation of the project and actively supported the discussions.

The Deputy Mayor Juna Chaudhary committed to collaboration for successful implementation of the project in the municipality and also highlighted the previous partnerships with USAID. The Chief Administrative Officer Madhav Jaisi shared the experience of attending the steering committee meeting of the project and shed light on the existing condition of the open spaces in the municipality, that underscores the relevance to the project. The CAO also discussed the project implementation modality with the co-financing mechanism and urged the project team to keep evaluating if the actual beneficiaries of the project were engaged in the key steps of the project processes. The senior mission engineer from USAID, Sushil Poudel highlighted the importance of climate resilient and inclusive cities and commended the efforts from the municipality and the project partners towards successful implementation of “Cities 4 Women” project.

In the workshop, the presentation from the municipality official on the current fiscal year plans and projects was followed by presentations from the urban planner experts on the importance of urban planning and mainstreaming climate resilience and inclusion in the annual planning process. The workshop emphasized the importance of social infrastructure, with public open spaces as entry points. Further, building on the new and current public spaces projects in the municipality, the group discussions assessed the problems, opportunities and solutions in ensuring climate and gender responsiveness of these infrastructures. These discussions underscored the role of open spaces in fostering community engagement, environmental sustainability, and local economic development.

The second event, ward level sensitization and community engagement on “Climate Resilient and Inclusive City Building” was organized targeting the municipal ward level stakeholders of ward 1 of Lamkichuha on 23 August. The workshop sought 55 participants including 18 women from different communities of the ward including students, ward representatives, ward secretary, community-based groups, women groups, youth clubs, PWDs, and media persons. The aim of the event was to sensitize the communities on climate and gender responsive planning and identification or prioritization of the public spaces for the proof-of concept demonstration and generate voices in shaping safer and more inclusive urban spaces.

Various public open spaces in the ward were identified through group discussion and were prioritized as part of the project's efforts to build communities that are resilient to climate change and responsive to the needs of all citizens. The session allowed community stakeholders to actively engage in discussions on the future of their local environment and how public spaces could serve as hubs for community activities, environmental protection, and economic growth.

During the discussions, participants expressed their support for the project, with several community leaders providing feedback and suggestions on implementing the project’s activities collaboratively at the grassroots level. One participant noted, “This project is not just about urban planning; it’s about creating spaces where everyone, especially women, can thrive in a safe and inclusive environment”.

Lamkichuha Municipality’s efforts through the project underscore the critical role that local governments play in creating urban environments that are both climate-resilient and inclusive. Through these initiatives, the municipality is laying the groundwork for more sustainable and equitable urban development, setting a strong example for other municipalities across Nepal.