Literally, the Kathmandu Valley sits on a time bomb. With the total open space accessible to the public remaining at a paltry 0.51 percent in the valley, the over 4 million people living here face a great risk of losing their lives whenever a disaster like a big earthquake or a huge fire strikes. Clearly, this is an indictment of a long-oriented negligence. According to experts, the valley should have at least 10 to 15 percent open space available, to mitigate the risks from natural disasters like earthquakes. The question that many would ask is what the lack of open space in the valley says about safety should the government do nothing to address this crisis.
The total area of the Kathmandu Valley is 721 square kilometers. Of this, the open space accessible to the public is only 372 hectares or 3.72 square kilometers. This is grossly inadequate, particularly since the valley lies in an earthquake-prone zone and such a natural disaster can strike the valley on any foreseen day. As per the global standard, five percent open space is mandatory in urban areas, but experts say the Kathmandu Valley needs at least 10 to 15 percent open space for the safety of its residents. The dearth of adequate open space in the valley is dangerous because, during any disaster, there will be no place to run for safety.
Open space has many uses besides serving as a recreational area for people within the community. When natural calamities strike, open space is the zone where people flee for their lives. These areas are very helpful in saving lives, for example, in a place like Kathmandu where many of the houses are not built to resist the jolts of a big earthquake. During earthquakes, open spaces provide temporary shelters for people fleeing from falling buildings or raging fire. The dearth of open space is also affecting the livability of the city. People - for instance, children, the elderly, and people with restricted mobility - need space for outdoor activities, exercise, and interaction. Yet, despite these undisputed needs, Kathmandu Valley's open space problem persists.
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According to a recent study by the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA), the total number of open spaces accessible to the public in the valley is only 887 - 488 in Kathmandu, 346 in Lalitpur, and 53 in Bhaktapur. This may sound like a decent number, but this includes only public parks and does not cover private open spaces - most of which are inaccessible to the general public. Moreover, the total acreage represented by open space is disproportionately small when compared to the valley's overall size. Even the government's requirement of five percent open space is missed wide by the mark. The KVDA's officials themselves point out that the valley's open spaces amount to less than one percent of the total area.
The attempt by the KVDA to solve the problem of open space dearth in the valley is something that was long overdue. Besides the study undertaken on the current availability of open space, the KVDA has planned a land consolidation program, ensuring that at least 5% is held as open space in future development projects. That number is still too small, say experts, including those from the National Planning Commission, for a region which faces such immense risks of disasters. Clearly, there is a need to increase the valley's open space to at least 10 to 15 percent, especially in urban areas, so that the valley residents can seek refuge during disasters.
The government's failure to give due priority to developing open space in earthquake-prone Kathmandu Valley is deplorable. Although several scientific studies have revealed the proneness of the valley to seismic activities, the response from both the national and sub-national governments remains insufficient. Merely Earthquake Day celebrations or a revamped policy sans implementation to expand open space cannot save the people of the valley in times of crisis. Work should have begun long ago, not only in increasing open space, but in making citizens aware of evacuation routes and safe places.
All levels of government must seriously and sincerely address this crisis through speedy actions. The protection and creation of public open space in the valley must not only be viewed as an urban planning issue; it should also be taken as an integral part of disaster preparedness and public safety. If anything, considering the looming earthquake danger, time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to waste time. The government must ensure the safety and survival of its people before it is too late.
