Author: Avipsha Rayamajhi
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.SEG-24-02
Year: 2024
Academic Program: Society and Environmental Governance (SEG)
Type: Thesis (M. Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2024
Examination Committee: Shobhakar Dhakal (Chairperson); Rajendra Prasad Shrestha, Phuoc Lai Nguyen Thi (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Nepal, one of the climate-vulnerable countries, also ranks as the second fastest urbanizing countries in Asia. This rapid urbanization particularly evident in Kathmandu Valley brings forth challenges like encroachment of agricultural lands for infrastructure development, thereby heightening the city’s vulnerability to climate risks. This underscores the urgent need for robust urban climate governance mechanisms. This study explores the dynamics of urban climate governance within the Kathmandu Valley encompassing three bustling urban districts- Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Through qualitative methodologies including key informant interviews and policy reviews followed by a thematic analysis, it investigates how municipal governments, notably Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) and Bhaktapur Municipality engage in urban climate governance with the support of federal, provincial governments and non-state actors (NSAs). The findings of the study revealed sporadic sectoral climate actions at the municipal level through the fulfillment of roles by state and non-state actors, particularly in areas like waste management and transportation. However, the absence of dedicated municipal climate policies and guidelines has hindered the comprehensive integration of these actions. Further, challenges of insufficient resources, understanding and expertise and absence of accountability on climate-related issues persist among different governing actors, marginalizing the climate agenda at the municipal scale. To overcome these challenges, institutionalization of the governance process through development of climate-specific departments and focal persons across municipal level is necessary. Further there is a need for the federal government to play proactive roles in implementation of climate policies at the municipal scale through development of guidelines, monitoring mechanisms and capacity building of human resources.
Scholarship Donor(s): Her Majesty the Queen’s Scholarships (Thailand)
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Society and Environmental Governance
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