The open spaces prioritization workshops under the Cities4Women Project: Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Urbanization in Nepal were conducted in September 2024 across five wards of Lamkichuha Municipality. These workshops, organized by UN-Habitat, funded by EU and USAID, in partnership with the UNOPS and Cities Alliance, with the support of local implementation partner Sundar Nepal, aimed to engage local stakeholders in identifying and prioritizing open spaces for inclusive and sustainable urban development. Participants included local government representatives such as the ward chairs, elected officials, and secretaries, as well as community leaders, NGOs, school students, persons with disabilities and women’s groups, with attendance ranging from 20 to 50 individuals per ward. Women made up a significant portion of participants, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity.

The open spaces considered during these workshops were initially identified in close consultation with the ward chairs and their teams during pre-workshop meetings. These consultations assessed multiple factors, including environmental sustainability, land-use dynamics, inclusivity, and the availability of existing infrastructure. This rigorous process resulted in a preliminary list of potential spaces that were refined into a shortlist for further discussion during the workshops. Each ward presented a unique set of shortlisted spaces, carefully evaluated based on their potential for development and alignment with community priorities.

During the workshops, participants engaged in semi-structured activities designed to evaluate the shortlisted spaces further. Facilitators presented the open spaces, with ward chairs providing detailed insights into the significance and current use of each site to enhance community understanding. Groups of participants assessed these spaces using structured questions that addressed key aspects such as accessibility, existing infrastructure, environmental impact, land use conflicts, and potential for inclusivity. Through active discussions, each group identified 2–4 priority open spaces from the shortlist.

In Ward 1, three unique spaces emerged as priorities: the Panchakoshi Yuva Club, a well-used communal space with existing infrastructure; the Lamkichuha Sworojgaar Brihat Krishi Haatbazaar (Janata Market), valued for its central location and potential for economic as well as recreational and fitness-related activities; and the Purba Lamki Haat Bazaar, identified for its location near educational institutions. In Ward 2, the community prioritized two spaces: Land near the Rora River Bridge, recognized for its tourism potential, and Baghaura Tapu (near ward 2 office), noted for its ample open area and accessibility. Ward 3 identified four spaces: the Tharu Maruwa Area, which offers area for resting and cultural affairs near settlements; the Kalika Mandir Open Area, accessible and community-centric; the Byabasthit Nagar Haat Bazaar, with strong economic and cultural ties and public accessibility; and the Open Area Around Shiva Statue, a site with religious and tourism significance. In Ward 4, the Khalla Khel Maidan and Amarpur Khel Maidan were prioritized for their size, existing infrastructure, and potential for community use, while Saraswoti School Open Space was highlighted for its accessibility. Finally, Ward 5 prioritized the Sahaj Yuva Club, known for its infrastructure and location near settlements, and the Narmada Swasthya Kendra, selected for its potential to serve as a hub for fitness and recreational activities, as well as the site that can serve women well.

The workshops successfully engaged communities in participatory decision-making while fostering a shared vision for inclusive urban spaces. By combining stakeholder insights with structured evaluation, the events laid a strong foundation for developing accessible, resilient, and community-focused open spaces in Lamkichuha Municipality.