Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD)

31/07/2026

Urban Dabali | Urban Floods in Nepal – From Recurring Crisis to Resilient Cities
Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) and Helvetas Nepal organized the latest session of Urban Dabali on 30 July 2026 at Ye De Sanskritik Bhawan (Cultural House of Kathmandu City), Dharmapath, in coordination with Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). The session brought together representatives of government line agencies, academic institutions and development partners to examine the growing crisis of urban flooding in the Kathmandu Valley. The session for July was titled "Urban Floods in Nepal - From Recurring Crisis to Resilient Cities."
Mr. Padma Sunder Joshi, Urban Development Expert, Vice President at Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology, and Chairman of CIUD, highlighted encroachment along river banks and ponds as the main reason behind the urban flooding we are witnessing today.
Panel discussion comprising of Ar. Yek Raj Adhikari (Deputy Director General, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction), Dr. Pawan Bhattarai (Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Water Resources Engineering Programme, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus) and Mr. Machakaji Maharjan (Project Director, High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilization) urged coordinated action and nature-based solutions to end Kathmandu Valley's recurring floods.
The programme concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Bipin Chitrakar, Board Member of CIUD.
Urban Dabali is a monthly discussion platform jointly organized by CIUD and HELVETAS Nepal on pressing urban issues facing Nepal's cities.

30/07/2026

30/07/2026

A Platform for Intellectual Discourse and Dissemination over the Contemporary Urban Issues for Policy Influence

03/07/2026

Urban Dabali | Confronting Heat Waves and the Urban Heat Island Effect in Cities of Nepal | June 30, 2026
As climate change intensifies, extreme heat is emerging as one of the growing yet overlooked urban challenge in Nepal.
On 30 June 2026, Urban Dabali session on "Confronting Heat Waves and the Urban Heat Island Effect in Cities of Nepal" was organised jointly by CI UD and Helvetas Nepal.
The session featured a presentation by Mr. Anuj Tiwari (People in Need) on "From Forecast to Action: Experiences and Lessons from Heat Early Warning and Early Action in Madhesh," highlighting the importance of evidence generation, locally produced heat data, and anticipatory action to strengthen preparedness and support government decision-making.
The panel discussion featured Ms. Bibhuti Pokharel from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and Dr. Yadav Prasad Joshi, who shared valuable insights on climate science, urban heat, and public health. The discussion also highlighted how the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, driven by current urban development patterns including the loss of green spaces, increasing impervious surfaces, and unplanned urban expansion is intensifying heat stress in Nepal's cities. Panelists emphasized the urgent need to develop climate-responsive guidelines and standards for the planning, design, and retrofitting of health facilities, educational institutions, and other public infrastructure to improve thermal comfort, protect vulnerable populations, and enhance resilience to extreme heat.
A heartfelt thank you to all our presenter, panelist, participants, and partners for contributing to this timely and meaningful dialogue.

01/07/2026

धार्मिक,सांस्कृतिक तथा ऐतिहासिक महत्व बोकेका स्थानहरुको मौलिक एवं प्राचीन नामहरुको संरक्षणतर्फ अर्को महत्वपूर्ण कदम।

​काठमाडौँ महानगरपालिकाको सम्पदा तथा पर्यटन विभागको आर्थिक सहयोगमा एकीकृत शहरी विकास केन्द्रले (CIUD) सम्पन्न गरेको "धार्मिक, सांस्कृतिक एवं ऐतिहासिक महत्वमा आधारित स्थानहरुको मौलिक एवं प्राचीन नामहरुको अध्ययन" कार्य अन्तर्गत तयार गरिएको मस्यौदा प्रतिवेदनमाथि आज छलफल तथा अन्तरक्रिया कार्यक्रम सम्पन्न भयो।

​कार्यक्रममा वडाका प्रतिनिधिहरु, विज्ञ तथा सरोकारवाला निकायहरुको सहभागितामा प्राप्त सुझावले प्रतिवेदनलाई अझ परिस्कृत बनाउने विश्वास लिइएको छ।

​यस अवसरमा सम्पदा तथा पर्यटन समितिका संयोजक एवं वडा नं. ८ का अध्यक्ष आशामान संगतले काठमाडौँ महानगरपालिकाको सपना नै काठमाडौँको मौलिक पहिचानको संरक्षण र पुनःस्थापना रहेको उल्लेख गर्नुभयो। साथै, उहाँले अध्ययनबाट प्राप्त मौलिक तथा प्राचीन नामहरुलाई क्रमश: पुनःस्थापना गर्दै जाने प्रतिबद्धता समेत व्यक्त गर्नुभयो।

01/07/2026

Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Launch of Artificial Groundwater Recharge Project at Civil
Service Hospital

Kathmandu, Nepal, June 29, 2026

A landmark initiative to enhance urban water security and reduce storm water⁷ flooding in
Kathmandu officially commenced today with the groundbreaking ceremony of the Artificial
Groundwater Recharge Project at Civil Service Hospital.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished representatives from Civil Service Hospital, Coca-
Cola Beverages Nepal, and the Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD). The project
aims to demonstrate a practical and low-cost groundwater recharge technology that captures
rainwater and surface runoff within the hospital premises and channels it into underground
aquifers through specially designed recharge wells. The initiative is expected to contribute
significantly to groundwater replenishment, reduce urban flooding, and promote sustainable
water management practices in the Kathmandu Valley.
Implemented by the Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) with financial support
from Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, the project will install six recharge wells and six filter
chambers across the hospital premises. Rainwater collected from rooftops and paved surfaces
will be filtered and directed into the recharge wells, allowing it to naturally percolate into
shallow aquifers.
According to project estimates, the recharge system will harvest runoff from approximately
4,345 square meters of catchment area and replenish an estimated 6.25 million liters of water
annually into the local groundwater system. In addition, the project is expected to significantly
reduce storm water flooding within and around the hospital premises during the extreme rainy days.