Urban Issues and Challenges

Presentation by:

Latha ChhetriDy. Chief Urban Designer Urban Planning & Development Division, DUDES, MoWHS

Urban Issues and Challenges

27/08/2010 URBAN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DIVISION 6TH ENGINEERING CONFERENCE

Urbanizing Facts: 1. More than 50 % of the population would be

living in urban areas by 2020

2. No. of declared Thromdes:- Dzongkhag thromde ‘A’ - 04 - Dzongkhag thromde’B’ - 18- Proposed Yenlang throm - 07 (not approved by

parliament)

- Commercial centre - 40 (only technical support from MoWHS)


Urban Issues and Challenges:General- National Land Commission not able to

issue Lagthrams to beneficiaries of Land Pooling Schemes.

- Criticism from public for not being able to implement the plans.

- Revision of the plans due to delay in implementation.


Urban Issues and Challenges:General- Illegal or unauthorized constructions due

to prolonged moratoriums.- Housing crunch leading to unsafe,

unhygienic environment and social issues.- Budget constraints for the implementation

of the plans as urban amenities are capital intensive and establishment of a planned town entail investment on solid waste management, water treatment systems and sanitation, drainage, sewerage, open space management etc. apart from roads and footpaths.


General- Approved Plans deviated frequently during implementation.

- Constructions without any approval process or designs.

Urban Issues and Challenges:


Urban Issues:Impacts of Climate Change

- Drying of Water sources e.g, Mongar & Damphu in Tsirang (are severely hit).

- Land slides, Flash floods and storms because of intense and extreme weather events.



Impacts of Climate Change




- Temperatures are rising and heat stress becoming major problem for plants, animals and people.

- Forest fires.- Spread of diseases like malaria, typhoid,

diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera etc.

Can our urban areas, we and our existing level of

knowledge cope with this situation as it is already

unfolding?

Addressing the Climate Change:

- Making Public aware of the seriousness of the unfolding situation.

- Creating green areas and buffers in and around the urban areas.

- Preserving and protecting the slopes and eco-fragile areas.

- Conserving water and its catchment areas.


Addressing the Climate Change:

- Developing an efficient and safe public transport system.

- Creation and implementation of climate sensitive designs.

- Using energy efficient and non toxic materials for construction.

- Managing and recycling the wastes.

- Preparing for the disaster - warning systems in place.


Way Forward:- Major commitment and political will towards Public space, slopes and eco fragile area conservation, Water Conservation, Recycling and Public transport.

- Creating green spaces and buffer zones in and around urban areas.

- Protecting and Preserving the slopes and eco fragile areas.

- Energy efficient buildings

- - -

Non-toxic materia ls

Waterproofed buil ding process

Ac cesibi lity

Safety Affordabl es

“The degree to which such change will impact on people and economic life will be directly proportionate to the quality and level of ‘climate adaptive design’ undertaken.”


Way Forward:

- ‘Climate change adaptation’ policy and practice for the urban areas.

- Motivate local governments to include climate protection and adaptation in their planning practices.

- Moderate action is not a viable option – Drastic or radical measures is an option if the problem is taken seriously.

- Economically, the cost should be confronted immediately. Not confronting now will be much more expensive.


Recommendation:

- Ascertain resources allocation along with the approval of Plans.

- Establish Regional Planning Offices.

- Appointment of Urban Planners & Architects in each Dzongkhag.

- Local governments to be well equipped for disaster mitigation.


TASHI DELEK!

Sources for images - BBCworldnews, Kuenselonline, BBS and TSP

Documents

Urban Issues and Challenges