Project Area: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Pokhara

Project Duration: January 2010 to September 2011

Project Background:
The walkability project was first implemented in Kathmandu city with the initiatives from Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia), Clean Energy Nepal, Clean Air Network Nepal and FK Norway to collect data about the city’s pedestrian environment. This has opened possibilities in other municipalities and cities. Consistent with its aim to improving the pedestrian infrastructure and services in Nepal, the walkability survey was conducted in Bhaktapur with support from Bhaktapur Sub Metropolitan City, and similarly in Pokhara with LIBIRD Pokhara and FK Norway.
The overarching goal of this project was to improve pedestrian’s safety and mobility and promote walking as a sustainable transport by making the walking experience more enjoyable.

Project Activities:

1.    Field Walkability Survey: was used to collect raw data in the availability and quality of pedestrian infrastructure. This includes summary of pedestrian counts or the number of people walking on the street, a description of the area such as width of road, motorized traffic conditions and other characteristics that is visible on the road and which needs attention. Photos were also taken for each surveyed stretch as well as general photos of area.
2.    Pedestrian interview Survey: wherein pedestrains voice their opinion on existing conditions and suggest on improvements. This covered perception of safety, quality of mode transfers and quality of infrastructure.
3.    Government and Stakeholders Survey: was used to collect important data that is not obtainable through physical infrastructure surveys, such as city’s population and population density, pedestrian fatalities and injuries over time and by income class.
 

The surveys were carried out in the following areas: a)Commercial, b) Public Transport terminal, c) Educational , and d) Residential

 

Project Outcomes:

 •    The walkability Index of Kathmandu , Bhaktapur and  Pokhara were generated which was useful in making comparisons between the cities and thereby    helping city planners, government stakeholders and concerned authorities understand scope and extent of local pedestrian conditions relative to other cities.
•    Document public interest on walkability issues and aware them on the same.
•    The necessary information to identify specific pedestrian related shortcoming were provided to the city planners, government stakeholders and others and also recommendations for next steps.
 

Funded by: FK Norway, Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities, District Development Committee, Bhaktapur