On 13 October 1991, Himal organised a panel discussion to cover a limited range of issues on the present and future of Kathmandu Valley. Three themes on the deteriorating social, economic and physical environment of the Valley were addressed. A presentation on each theme was followed by discuss ion, which were moderated by Ajaya Dixit. Rapporteurs: Manisha Aryal, Bijaya Lal Shrestha. Thanks to Hans Bjoness.
THEME ONE
What are the prerequisites for planning and implementing functions to reverse a situation of deteriorating social economic and physical environment?
PRESENTATION:
Padam Chhetri: The deterioration in social, economic and physical environment occurred given the following: a highly centralised system of decision-making and extraneous factors decisions; ineffectiveness of local government systems, municipalities and town development committees and investment decisions (in the industrial sector) made outside the planning framework by individuals and even government agencies; the sudden rise of export trade based on air-cargo; no revision of old land-use plans; a very individualistic social behaviour where only personal benefit was considered; highly subsidised infrastructure services for people who could afford it; unwillingness to participate in provisional infrastructure; and services being focused on selected areas, while others were neglected.