Book Review

'Housing and Urban Development in Nepal'; a useful book for urban planners and governance experts

Title of the book: Housing and Urban Development in Nepal

Author: Dr. Jibgar Joshi, Kathmandu

Publisher: Mrs. Lajmina Joshi

Edition: Third and Revised Edition

Price: Rs. 500, Pages: 206

 

The book "Housing and Urban Development in Nepal" authored by Dr. Jibgar Joshi, former acting secretary of the Nepal government and a well known regional and urban planner has 12 chapters and 206 pages. The book mainly deals with the existing situation of housing and urban development in Nepal;  analyzes the trend of urbanization; and tries to relate governance with the provision of housing and urban services in Nepal.

The book not only gives a review of urban policies and programmes, but also discusses the problems and issues related to urban development. It attempts to highlight housing strategies; and provides different options of housing delivery. It also discusses standards and norms of housing and tries to define criteria for better housing and for a good city. The government should not only formulate plans and policies, but it should also show commitments towards implementing its policies in an effective manner, argues the author in the book.

The book also dwells on the use of modern housing technology saying that "technology leads to cost reduction in the use of resources and increases efficiency." The choice of technology should be based on the impact as well as the economic cost benefit analysis - the author points out in the book. The book also emphasizes on the need to enable the poor people to fulfill their shelter needs. "The main thrust is to enable all of the poor to build their shelter by themselves. Provide them with what they need in order to build their house: land, building materials, technology, human power and finance" - the author says in the book.

The book also emphasizes on the use of alternate technology, which is not only available but also promotes the use of local resources. There is a strong need for evolving alternative technologies that are more appropriate to local conditions. "The use of local resources and the participation of the beneficiaries will increase the social acceptance of any technique whether traditional or conventional."

The author also expresses concern over the ever-increasing cost of housing. "The market under the patronage of the government has set the price of housing so high that most of the families would never dream to own a house." The author also emphasizes on saving the income of the people for the purpose of purchasing their own house by the middle income people. "It is necessary to motivate the people to save for their housing and there should be commitment from the state to protect their right to shelter," the author points out.

Although the scope of the book did not extend to shed light on different modalities of federal structure as per the expectation of many readers, it has recognized the need for a revisit on decentralization policies in the context of poverty alleviation under a federal system.

In the conclusion the book stresses on the need to build houses that are safe as well as healthy. "Housing and building codes should focus more on health, safety and quality of life." - it points out. "There should be access for all to space for diverse uses such as eating places and groceries, open space and parks, places for meditation, sports and recreation and so on. Heritage sites, temples, and well-maintained and usable open space are virtually the only urban places where people of different income levels have equal access.” - the book states. "Parks and open space are instrumental for improved air and water quality, for preserving rivers and for city greening."

The author also underlines the need for a reorientation of the objectives of the government. "Instead of controlling good governance depends on influencing the actors that their actions become compatible with agreed goals." - the author points out. It (government) should promote inclusive development and ensure access of all to services, says the book. The author also points out the present problems related to housing and urban development, saying "housing and urban development policies are presently not backed by investment commitments, and financing mechanisms are not clear."

Finally, the book is useful for politicians and urban developers, planners and policy makers, and people working in the areas of housing and building development as well as municipal authorities.

Joshi, Jibgar. 2011. Managing Environment and Cities for Sustainable Development

Friday Supplement

A Vision Of Environment Gandhi Raj Kafle   So far as environment is concerned, ignorance is no bliss and carelessness and neglect in its management often produces damaging repercussions. Thus, things need to be known well. And to cheer, some efforts are there. One such thing is awareness about environment which is everywhere. With this, the efforts have been made to cope with challenges and dangers posed by environmental degradation. If mankind wants a safe future, it is the duty of all to contribute something for the sake of environment. The other thing which needs to be understood properly is connected with growth and development. Does anyone want development for disaster? The answer is ‘no’. Actually, we want not only growth and development, but also an atmosphere where we do not suffer and stumble and safely go ahead protecting ourselves now and ensuring the future generations a decent life. This spirit of development is analytically stressed in Jibgar Joshi’s freshly published under review book "Managing Environment and Cities for Sustainable Development". Joshi, who has acquired relevant academic knowledge on subjects like economics, management and law, is a former senior bureaucrat at the Ministry of Population and Environment with policy making experience. This newly published 200-page book methodically unfolds two dominant issues - environment and urban planning which are relevant to the present time’s scenario of urbanizing Nepal. Being a subject of global importance, coining words and using jargons have become a fashion among experts while analyzing the need of environmental protection for sustainable development. Joshi’s book provides lots of information to familiarize such uses to the readers. This nine chapter publication focuses theoretical aspects of the subject with sub-headings like introductory note, conceptual evolution of the subject, sustainable urbanization and its management challenge, issues of climate change, environmental governance, capacity building, integrated action, policy and strategy. Certainly, such discussions in the book are immensely important to understand the issue of environment. In fact, isolated development planning can’t be imagined now. So, sooner or later every country and society must join mainstream development policy to uphold the spirit of sustainable development for the future. In the meantime it is also important for both the government and common people to keep in mind the views of scholars like Adrian Atkinson (mentioned in page 10, fourth paragraph of the book) who says: Despite the assertion of development agencies, the global economic system as a whole is not, in fact, oriented towards the welfare of the poor, but towards the exploitation of resources for the benefit of the rich and middle classes not only of the industrial world but of the developing countries as well. The conundrum of economic development in the name of poor people has several pressing things to ponder upon even today. So, it’s a daunting task to deliver the poor their fair share of investment benefit and this task will not be accomplished unless environmental issues are tackled well. Interestingly, Jibgar Joshi’s book talks much about the need of linking environment with development. But, here too readers can only find a kind of overview analysis about environmental issues. To conclude, talking about environment has become easy these days. This trend must be ignored and the trend to do something concrete to keep hopes and enthusiasm intact for future generations has to be the motto of life. For it, home grown problems of environmental protection will be interesting. Experts like Joshi have a vital role to play to fulfill this gap. In this light, it would be relevant to appreciate this publication expecting more research from the author with a special focus on the challenges Nepal faces in the future.

 

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Failed plans of Nepal

 

Nepal has started planned development approach since 1955 BS, but after over a century Nepal has reached nowhere.
Dr Jibgar Joshi in his book, ‘Planning Approaches in Nepal’ blames the foreign-educated professional without the ground reality of the country’s need, frequent changes in government, face-saving approach of professionals and donor-driven development agendas for the failure in the development.
The book – that has 10 chapters – goes through the concepts and definition of the planning, to national, regional and district planning, method of making plans and formulation of projects, land use and environment, tools and method of urban planning, provisions of infrastructure to the role of institutions in planning. The book is an eye-opener for the development planners, where they went wrong in the process over last five decades and helps take stocks of where they failed.

A new debate on Nepal’s development approaches has recently started and Joshi’s book will help both planners and government to revisit their past approaches.
As planning is a tool for change it must bring changes in the lives of the people. Joshi writes that the people at large for whom the plans are prepared are neglected in the planning and the gap between the planners and the people is the cause of the failure of plans. The result: after 10 five-year plans, the country – despite its huge potential – is still undeveloped and lagging behind the nations, that were at the same status at some point of time in the past.
Not only the professionals, the donor agencies have also spending a huge amount of resources experimented a lot, though they have now realised that the imported plans won’t give desired results. But the realisation came too late.
Apart from confusion over the role of development partners, the role of private sector and public sector is still not clearly defined. “In Nepal there is no clear demarcation of the roles between the role of private sector and public sector, which has weakened the planning process,” he rightly thinks. Such confusions persist on every front of development pulling the country backward.
At a time when questions have been raised on the whole process of planning and their implementation, Joshi’s book gives a pragmatic overview of the planning process. Being a planner himself, Joshi has not tried to cover the weakness on part of planners. He has also pointed out the need to integrate lower strata of the society in the planning process. “It is a futile exercise to try to make a radical change from the top,” he summerises.
The book has tried to give a deeper understanding on planning approaches in Nepal and will be worthy to go through at a time when the country is moving towards the federalism. The current development approaches that have not worked for the present state of the nation would definitely not work for the federal structure that country is looking forward. It’s high time, the planners start brain storming on the future course of development strategy that the book has missed.

BOOK REVIEW
Book: Planning Approaches in Nepal
Publisher: Mrs Lajmina Joshi
Author: Dr Jibgar Joshi
Pages: 162
Price: Rs 320

Posted by Kuvera Chalise (Print name) at 10:48 PM 0 comments

Labels: Kuvera Chalise, National Planning Commission, NPC

Joshi, Jibgar. 2006. Regional Strategies for Sustainable Development in Nepal

Contributions to Nepalese Studies, July, 2006 by Dilli Ram Dahal

Joshi, Jibgar. 2006. Regional Strategies for Sustainable Development in Nepal. Kathmandu: Lajmina Joshi. 156 pages with 38 Tables and 8 Figures, Price NRs. 400.

Unlike many Nepali bureaucrats, Dr. Jibgar Joshi has already published three books and several articles on regional and urban developments in Nepal. The present book is the latest volume making a new contribution to that goal. Regional planning begun in Nepal since the Fourth Five Year Plan (1970-75). Regional planning as a model of development failed in terms of reducing poverty, regional disparity and equity among people. The author, however, reiterates that it could be used as an effective tool for sustainable development in Nepal. The central issue in regional planning in Nepal, according to him, is 'how to improve our sectoral plans through regional and sustainable development?' (p. iv). To improve sectoral plans, the basic questions raised by the author are: a) allocation of regional resources across the country; b) nature of investments in different regions; c) strategic activities in different regions, d) social transformations in the society; and d) building institutions for decentralization. This review concerns itself with how these questions are answered by this publication.

The present book consists of nine chapters. Chapter I briefly highlights the basic concepts such as regional planning, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, poverty and empowerment, coordination, decentralization and resource region. The last part of this chapter offers a "country profile" which includes the location, physical divisions, climate and rainfall, demography, economy and administrative divisions. The author notes that sustainable development has three parts: economic growth, social equity and environment, which must be linked together to make development an integrated whole (p. 6). Chapter II deals with regional disparity in terms of the development index, agriculture, road transportation, electricity, communication, drinking water, education and health. It also provides an interesting table on relative per capita GDP and HDI based on 15 regions of Nepal. This follows reviews of regional development policy in Nepal and their gaps. The author argues that the following policies should be adopted to make regional planning more effective: investment strategy, national urban system and resource development strategy, institutional development and regional research (pp. 40-44). Chapter III describes migration and urbanization in Nepal, considering demographic changes and the trend in urbanization over the years. The author links urbanization with development and the ways and means of ensuring spatial integration for better planning. Sustainable development depends on the effective government action at the regional level. He believes that more urban growth leads to more economic growth and the reduction of poverty. Chapter IV outlines national goals and regional strategies to be adopted for development planning and conditions necessary for sustainable development. He argues that poverty alleviation strategies will need a spatial vision (p. 70).

Chapter V is an attempt to develop a spatial framework for development based on growth poles and growth centres in Nepal. He develops a "spatial framework of development'" showing interrelationships between growth centres of different ranks. Thus, growth centres in the context of regional planning are beautifully drawn in maps (pp. 104-108). Chapter V1 shows investment plans, policies and strategies in different ecological regions: Mountain, Hills and Yarai. Chapter VII shows the need for good governance at different levels with adequate decentralization planning. He argues that the spatial aspect should be embodied in the national urban system and growth centre strategy (p. 122). Chapter VIII provides strategies for capacity building and technology transfer. He believes that social transformation in Nepali society is possible only through economic principles (p. 129). According to him, rural areas should be transformed into urban areas, incorporating technology and resources (p. 131). The last chapter summarizes the major contents of the book.

No doubt, the author identifies many of the shortcomings and contradictions in regional planning in Nepal. The volume's strength is found in the author's articulation of regional planning and its ethos and pathos in the context of Nepal. The major strength of the book is that there are many useful tables for students, teachers and planners including the well a documented description of development processes in Nepal. At the same time, the book is rich in ideas, concepts and questions, particularly his approach of "spatial" and "sustainable development" could be a model for development in the context of regional planning in Nepal in the future. No doubt, the volume is successful in answering many of the questions that it raises.

Studies on regional development and planning in Nepal tend to focus on macro-level structures while ignoring local-level processes and concerns. The present volume also follows this general trend and thus falls short while dealing with the many issues that concern regional strategies for development in Nepal.

The author suggests that development is primarily an economic concept and that other aspects such as social and political ones are peripheral. It is common knowledge that without political stability, development cannot take place. For example, the 9th and the 10th Plans have been seriously affected meeting their targets by the peoples war, launched by the Communist Party (Maoist) in February 1996. This war has massively disrupted the social. economic, political and cultural lives of people and affected a large number of development projects. There is virtually no analysis to show how local/regional development projects that have been initiated/activated were affected by the people war. The issue here is not only the proper allocation of resources to the concerned people and regions but also how the delivery of goods and services has been affected due to these unavoidable circumstances. In addition, delivery of goods and services is also linked to the governance system. A recent observation visit (October 2006) by a study team in the Karnali Region clearly noted that the "Food Delivery Programme" to the people in the concerned region by helicopter is completely misused by contractors as they carry other goods (such as beer bottles and liquors) instead of grains.

The fact is that Nepal's development efforts to date have not changed Nepal's status as one of the poorest countries in the world. The landholding size, which is a major source of livelihood and income for more than 80% of the population of the country, is shrinking every year. The level of human development, as measured by the human development index, is skewed every year. In terms of global ranking, Nepal's position was 138 among the 177 countries ranked (UNDP 2006). Among 100 ethnic/caste groups in Nepal, the level of poverty and the human development index differs by region and among various groups such as women, Adibasi/Janajati, and Dalits. The net effect of development planning is almost zero in terms of equity and social development of people. In brief, the state-led growth strategy and development models have not substantially benefited the poor and marginalized people of Nepal. It is clear that exogenous, top-down and blueprint development models are not working in Nepal. In brief, the issue here is how the author's proposed model of spatial and sustainable environment could be made to be more effective in the context of regional planning in Nepal. At the same time, the national space has no meaning without human survival or welfare.

The author relies too much on statistics instead of understanding the sociology of Nepali people, particularly the culture of Nepali administrators and planners. Though he acknowledges development planning is barely successful in Nepal, he hardly details why planning fails. The hurdles that exist in implementing various projects are nowhere mentioned. The whole issue of poor governance and decentralization in the history of Nepal is not addressed. Despite all the metaphoric slogans of decentralization since 1975, there has been little transfer of power from the centre to the local bodies (such as the DDCs, municipalities and VDCs) even today. But the bureaucracy is loaded with paperwork in the name of development (do this or do that) rather than delivering goods and services to the people. Though thousands of NGOs and hundreds of INGOs have been working for the empowerment of people in different regions of Nepal over the last 40 years, it is not known how much people are empowered in social, economic and political terms. In other words, there is a need for an analysis of the success and failure of different projects in the context of regional planning in Nepal. How to create viable communities (p. 123) at the local level to deliver goods and services is yet another major issue, as the structure of traditional elites has not changed. In a country where there is corruption at every level of governance, and flattery plays a major role in bureaucracy, is it possible to change the existing practices of bad governance to good governance? Theoretically, everybody knows the functions of institutions at different levels (Table 7.1), but somehow these institutions do not provide services. In fact, so-called institutions in Nepal are hardly institutionalized, as power politics and Afno Manche (one's own people) dominate and run these institutions. So in reality there is little transformation in society in terms of social, economic and political structure over the years. The major issue is to change the working pattern of institutions so that good governance and the decentralization process can work from the centre to the local level.

Again the author's ideas of 'growth centres' are based on population size. I feel that simply considering population size without noting down the available physical and human resources at the local level jeopardizes the very idea of growth and service centres. For example, wherever groups like the Newars, Thakalis, and Sherpas live, it should be remembered that some level of business activities will be there. Where are the plans and policies to raise the income of local people? In other words, is required a lot of field research for better design of regional planning in Nepal. The issue of urbanization vis-a-vis growth is raised. He argues that the future of small settlements is dark (p. 62). Simply integrating rural areas does not make an area urban. It is unrealistic to create new urban centres or towns to develop as growth poles without providing basic facilities required by the people. Even today, there is barely the provision of clean drinking water, and almost all of Kathmandu's streets have potholes. One can aptly describe Kathmandu as a cluster of unauthorized buildings, hazardous day-to-day pollution, and no green belt anywhere to make a good living. Is this the kind of an urban area we want in the future?

Finally, I feel that the author overemphasizes the importance of spatial factors in the context of regional planning. A more spatially-integrated society might produce greater equality and opportunity, but it is difficult to see how it would create a greater equality of results in the absence of a more redistributive social policy.

In brief, Nepali planning to date is skulduggery: there is little delivery of goods and services to the people. Nepali planning requires a tour-de-force, a completely new approach for the development of the Nepali people.

 

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Planning for Sustainable development – urban management in Nepal and South Asia

(Published in Explore Nepal, Oct. 28, 1997)

 

            Any confusion about planning and sustainable development?

Consult Dr. Jibgar Joshi, the author of the book entitled Planning for Sustainable development – urban management in Nepal and South Asia.

The above expression is no piece of advertisement. Neither is it an attempt to boost the sale of the title. “It is the gist of the impression a reader had through perusal of the book recently.

Dr. Joshi who is known for his intellectual capability in engineering, economics and urban planning has worked hard in the 152 pages, 9 chapter research work to shed light on myriad aspects of urban management in Nepal and South Asia.

Beginning of the book is quite inte4resting.”The problem with development planning is that it never showed the courage to address poverty directly. The inter-class disparity id de-emphasized by introducing inter-space disparity under regional planning.”

Equally appealing is the argument Dr. Joshi forwards in his discussion of urban and regional policies. “Planning and design of urban facilities should be linked with the goals and objectives of regional and national development. For this along with the increase in the quality of municipal management through decentralization of power and finance, better economic linkage between urban and rural areas should be established by facilitating the growth of small market towns.”

Joshi’s concluding remarks in chapter nine are a compulsive reading for all who are linked with urban development and management. All 24 paragraphs of the chapter constitute a panacea like prescription for planners and managers. They like medicinal capsules are intellectually palatable, professionally realistic and academically sound.

“The protection of the common property is the responsibility of all;” says Joshi in his book’s final para adding “given the complexity in the approach, it is a futile exercise to try to make a radical change from the top. It is at the grass roots level that changes have to be sought and initiated. Others can help bring the change and sustain it.”

The book according to a serious reader, has well introduced Joshi into the high class of authors. Had the engineer cum economist penned the book a decade ago plenty of Nepal’s urban natural assets should have been preserved through serious efforts and awareness upliftment of decision makers.

“Planning for Sustainable development – urban management in Nepal and South Asia” could be ranked highly for its success in balanced projection of national issues against the comprehensive backdrop of this region on Asia.

Had the author been more elaborative in the concept of a good city, the future urban  centres of Nepal would have been planned well. While the book is clear about the idea readers cannot have a definite practical structure of the concept. Perhaps the engineering tilt pressed Joshi to be highly cryptic in the enunciation of the concept.

Regarding the treatment of emerging issues and problems in the chapter on management of urban environment in Nepal, Joshi once again pursues the short cut method, which ordinary readers fail to manage properly. But the way the writer presents his case on the issue is very praiseworthy.

Joshi needs to be lauded for ably defining the appropriate institutional arrangement for sustaining local action and good governance in Nepal in one of his chapters. Those intellectuals, planners and bureaucrats who are confused about it had better read what the author says in Chapter 8.

The book has added information and knowledge to the wide spectrum of sustainable development, the key issue engaging modern development workers. For the Nepali, it is a very handy informative book while others Asians; it is a very helpful reference material with professional and academic weight.

What readers expect from the author is nothing but more such books in future. Because the author has appealed to readers through the book, it is but natural for them to expect more.

 

Published by Lajmina Joshi

Printed in Nepal at Navin Press

Price 450/-