Strengthening resilience of the road and drainage network in Nepal’s secondary cities

Client: The World Bank (WB)   |   Partners: GEOCE Consultants |   Duration:  November 2021 – December 2022 |   Location: Nepal

Nepal is one of the ten least urbanised countries in the world – yet it is also one of the top ten fastest urbanising countries. Urban growth is uneven across the country and occurs more rapidly in the Kathmandu Valley, the Pokhara Valley, and the Inner Terai valleys. Nepal’s secondary cities are vital centres for regional commerce, services and social integration. However, they lack appropriate planning systems, geospatial data and the associated analyses important for local planners to understand how best to meet current needs, address disaster and climate risks, and plan for resilient growth.

Rapid urbanisation and economic growth have dramatically increased vehicle ownership in Nepal and put significant strain on the expanding road infrastructure in cities and towns across the country. The Department of Roads (DoR) reports that an additional 7,500 miles of new paved, gravel or dirt roads were constructed between 2017 and 2018, however, much of this road development has come at the cost of increased traffic congestion, increased emissions, and air, noise and water pollution, including from expanding vehicle service centres.

According to DoR, one of the main causes of road accidents is road design; including very steep gradients, lack of safety features, poor road conditions and poorly planned local road construction. In addition to the governance, design and planning issues, frequent natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes and landslides and the effects of climate change, including an increase in precipitation, are aggravating the impacts on urban road and drainage infrastructure.

In response to the above challenges, The World Bank has commissioned ICEM and GEOCE to implement the Strengthening resilience of the road and drainage network in Nepal’s secondary cities project. The main objectives of the project are to (i) address challenges in planning, design and quality of road infrastructure in Nepal’s urban areas, (ii) support Pokhara and Urlabari municipalities in strengthening the linkages between road design, asset management, and risk and hazard mapping, (iii) contribute towards safeguarding the quality and sustainability of infrastructure investments under the World Bank’s Nepal Urban Governance and Infrastructure Project (NUGIP).

The technical assistance is funded by a Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery grant. The Ministry of Urban Development is the executive agency.

Specific tasks include:

• Activity 1: Develop a web-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) with full integration of risk and hazard data for Pokhara. The Road Asset Management System (RAMS) can be accessed at https://nepalams.icem.com.au/

   

  

  

   

   

   

   

   

   
Activity 2: Prepare a climate vulnerability assessment (CVA) for Pokhara and Urlabari to provide updated information on climate vulnerability and mainstream the consideration of climate change in road asset management and urban planning.
Activity 3: Undertake a review of the existing Nepali technical standards and guidelines as well as international best practice design standards for urban roads and drainage, providing recommendations to strengthen climate resilience.
Activity 4: Capacity building, guidelines and support for strengthening the institutional systems of municipalities for sustainable asset management