Astana & Kathmandu-k1E

History & Evolution of City Planning
Planning & Analysis of Astana & Kathmandu
Aim
To interpret Astana & Kathmandu covering the aspect of
evolution, planning, land-use, transportation, Architecture &
socio-economic factors.
Objective
Cities are the rich nodes of civilization, the centers of every
nation's culture, its commerce, arts, and sciences, which
explains why so much attention is focused on their planning,
their forms, their structures, and their internal functions. The
story of civilization is the story of cities.
"Every Golden Age is an Urban Age"
Most cities are influenced by those cultures which they serve
and represent. At the same time, the cultures are influenced by
their respective cities.
Urbanization & Industrialization have brought about new forms
of economic organization. Increasing urbanization has initiated
socio cultural changes that have permeated society as a whole.
Astana
KATHMANDU
Kathmandu is the capital and largest municipality of Nepal. It also
hosts the headquarters of the South Asian Association for
Regional administrative status of Mahanagar (Metropolitan City),
as compared to Upa-Mahanagar (Sub-Metropolitan City) or
Nagar (City). Kathmandu is the core of Nepal's largest urban
agglomeration located in the Kathmandu Valley consisting of
Lalitpur, Kirtipur, Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur and a number of
smaller communities. Kathmandu is also known informally as
"KTM" or the "tri-city". According to the 2011 census, Kathmandu
Metropolitan City has a population of 1,003,285 and measures
49.45 km2 (19.09 sq mi).
2
The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres

(4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley of central Nepal.
It is surrounded by four major hills: Shivapuri, Phulchoki,
Nagarjun, and Chandragiri. Kathmandu Valley is part of three
districts (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur), has the highest
population density in the country, and is home to about a twelfth
of Nepal's population.
HISTORY
The history of Kathmandu dates back to ancient times. Traced
between the period 167 BC and 1 AD, archaeological
explorations indicate that Kathmandu and the two other sister
towns in the valley are the oldest towns. Excavations conducted
at Hadaigaon and Lubhu in southern part of the valley, in
Kathmandu, have unearthed brick walls and Stone Age tools. The
geological setting of the valley points to the existence of a lake
near Chobar gorge on the Bagmati River, below the present
Pashupatinath Temple, which was a pilgrimage place during the
period of the Buddha. Manjushree Bodhisatva, a Buddhist Saint,
drained this lake by cutting open an outlet in the southern rim of
the valley. People started cultivating here and building their h
omes as the valley that was created was fertile.
3
Historically, the Kathmandu Valley and adjoining areas were

known as Nepal Mandala. Until the 15th century, Bhaktapur was
its capital when two other capitals, Kathmandu and Lalitpur, were
established. During the Rana and Shah eras, British historians
called the valley itself "Nepal Proper". Today, Kathmandu is not
only the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, but
also the headquarters of the Bagmati Zone.
The city has a rich history, spanning nearly 2000 years, as

inferred from inscriptions found in the valley. Religious and
cultural festivities form a major part of the lives of people residing
in Kathmandu. Most of Kathmandu's people follow Hinduism and
many others follow Buddhism. There are people of other religious
beliefs as well, giving Kathmandu a cosmopolitan culture. Nepali
is the most commonly spoken language in the city. English is
understood by Kathmandu's educated residents. Historic areas
of Kathmandu were devastated by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake
on 25 April 2015.
GEOGRAPHY
The city is positioned in the northwestern part of Kathmandu

Valley. It covers an area of 50.67square kilometers. The average
elevation is 1,350 meters above the sea level. To its south is the
Lalitpur sub-metropolitan city, Kritipur municipality in south-west,
Madyapur Thimi municipality in east and different Village
Development Committees of Kathmandu in north, west and
north-east.
Bagmati, Bishnumati, Dhobikhola, Manohara, Hanumant and

Tukucha are the major rivers among the eight rivers that flow
through the city. The mountains from where these rivers originate
are in the elevation range of 1,500-3,000 meters and have
passes, which provide access to and from Kathmandu and its
valley. It fall s in the central development region and is the
headquarters of the region.
4
Bagdwaar, is the main source from where the river Bagmati

originates, in the northern hills of Kathmandu valley about fifteen
kilometers northeast of Kathmandu, where three steams come
together. The natural vegetation is dictated by the climatic
conditions and accordingly five vegetation zones have been
defined for Nepal, out of which Kathmandu and its valley fall
under the Deciduous Monsoon Forest Zone. The dominant tree
species under this zone comprises oak, elm, beech, maple and
so forth with coniferous trees at higher elevation.
CLIMATE
In view of several geographical factors the climatic conditions

vary to a large extent. There are five major climatic regions which
have been deciphered in Nepal, out of which Kathmandu falls
under the Warm Temperate Zone, the climate is fairly pleasant,
uncommon of the region. This zone is followed by the Cool
Temperate Zone with elevation varying between 2,100 meters
and 3,300 meters. Under Koppen’s climate classification,
portions of the city with lower elevations features a mild form of a
humid subtropical climate while portions of the city with higher
elevations generally feature a subtropical highland climate. In the
Kathmandu valley, which is representative of its valley’s climate
the average temperature during the summer season varies from
28-30°C. During the winter season the average temperature is
10.1°C. The city generally experiences warm days followed by
cool mornings and nights. During winters, temperatures have
dropped to 3°. The rainfall which is mostly monsoon based, which
decreases substantially from eastern Nepal to western Nepal,
has been recorded as about 1,400 millimeters for the Kathmandu
valley and an average of 1,407 millimeters specifically for the
Kathmandu city. On an average humidity is 75%.
5
POPULATION
The national census of 2001 counted 671,846 persons and
152,155 households in the Kathmandu metropolitan. There are
altogether 35 wards in Kathmandu metropolitan city whereas the
maximum population has settled in ward no 16. It is 45450 with
10789 house hold. And the minimum population has settled in
ward no.26 which is 3764 with 757 household.
According to the population census 2001, total population of

Lalitpur sub-metropolitan city is 162,991 and is constituted by
84,502 males and 78,489 females living in a total of 34996
households with an average family size of 4.66 persons. There
are 22 wards the maximum number of population in ward no.14,
total 11530 with 2498 house hold and minimum in ward no.11
with 4238 in population with 780 house hold . Figure mentioned
the ward wise population distribution of Kathmandu and Lalitpur.
The pattern of the growth in total urban population and annual

population growth rate of Kathmandu in censuses since 1952/54
is presented in figure. According to table, the annual population
growth rate is increasing per year; it is 1.27 in 1961 and 4.51 in
2001. In the last five decades or so, Kathmandu’s population has
increased from 148762 to 834837 that is an increase by a factor
of 5.6 times. According to study (Thapa, Murayama, Ale, 2008)
projected population has 1240957 and annual growth rate is 4.04
in 2011 AD in the city area.
EVOLUTION AND LAND USE
6
Land-use and land-cover (LULC) change, as one of the main

driving forces of global environmental change, is central to the
sustainable development debate. It affects a wide range of
environmental and landscape attributes including the quality of
water, land and air resources, ecosystem processes and
function, and the climate system (Lambin, Rounsevell, Geist,
2000).Land use change is influenced directly by infrastructural
development, where all types of human facilities are
concentrated. Migration, globalisation, government plan and
policies, and political condition are the other factor of urban
development and land use change of city (Rimal, 2011). The
major objective of this study is to analyse the actual
spatiotemporal dynamics and evolution of land use change and
urban development of Kathmandu city, Nepal.
Causes of land use change can be divided into two categories:
proximate (direct or local) and underlying (indirect or root). The
proximate causes of land-use change explain how and why local
land cover and ecosystem processes are modified directly by
humans, while underlying causes explain the broader context and
fundamental forces underpinning these local actions ((Ellis,
2007).
7
This study is based-on remote sensing (RS) and GIS technology.

These technologies are efficient tools for earth observation and
information analysis. They provide capacity in scientific
investigations, resource management, environmental impact
assessment, development planning, cartography and road
network planning. These technologies also have high capacity in
surveying and monitoring LULC and land cover dynamics in
diverse environments, for example, mountainous landscape,
coastal zone and along rivers (Baban, Kamaruzaman, 2001;
Fromard et al., 2004, Muttitanon and Tripathi, 2005).
LAND USE/COVER CHANGE 1976 TO 1989:

For 6.74 km² urban area has remained in urban in which altered
0.13 km² in water, 0.17 km² in forest and 1.93 km² in cultivated
land respectively. Mean while, 0.42 km² of water body converted
into urban area, 0.04 in forest and 1.18 in cultivated land.
Similarly, forest cover area also helped to increase the urban area
and cultivated land. In this period (1976-1989), 1.79 km² forest
areas have been transformed in urban and 2.60 km² in cultivated
land. Likewise, 0.66 km² open field has been altered in urban land
and 1.28 in cultivated land. Meanwhile, 8.32 km² cultivated land
has been decreased and transformed in urban area, 0.48 km²
cultivated area had transformed into water, 2.75 km² in forest and
0.67 km² in open field in the period of 13 years.
Land use transition in km² (1976 -1989)

LAND USE/COVER CHANGE IN 1989 TO 2001
8
The change in land use and land cover in the period of 1989-
2001. A different phenomenon of land conversion is observed in
this period in comparison to the earlier time period. The
transformation of agricultural land into urban/built-up areas was
escalated 12.94 km² but the transformation of the other land uses
into urban area remarkably decreased. However, 1.49 km² urban
areas have been transformed into cultivated land. Likewise, 0.09
km² water bodies have been changed into urban and 0.29 km² in
cultivated land. Forest with the area 0.90 km² has been
transformed into urban, 0.81 into water, 3.16 km² in cultivated
respectively. Similarly, 0.74 km² open field has altered in
cultivated land. Other land use classes have changed in minor
ratio.
Land use transition in km² (1989-2001)
LAND USE/COVER CHANGE IN 2001-2009

During this period (2001-2009), two major land use transitions
were observed. a significant amount of cultivated land that is
14.74-km² area has changed into urban/ built up lands. By this
change, we can observe that, urban area has been increasing
day by day and agricultural area is going to finish. In this period,
1.15 km² urban area has been transformed into agriculture.
Likewise 1.20 km² water body has been altered into urban area
and 0.20 km² in cultivated land. Similarly, 0.05-km² forest area
has been converted into urban, 0.22 into water and 0.29 km² into
cultivated land. In the same way, 0.09 km² open field area has
altered in urban and 0.17 km² in cultivated land.
9
Land use transition in km² (2001-2009)

PHYSICAL BOUNDRY OF CITY
The city was designed as a fortified city. Though, there are not
any physical remains of the wall, the city wall can
be traced through location of certain temples and ceremonial
Upaku routes during Indrajatra festival. Moreover, the layout of
major streets and squares relates to location of city gates for
defensive purposes (Gutschow 1982).
It is said that the ancient town planning is based on Vaastu-

purusha mandala, that each spatial elements and their layout
follow the socio-spatial hierarchy. Hence, the Palace Square
located at the center is of the highest order, so are the streets and
monuments located there (Tiwari 1989).
There are many other interesting sites inside the historic city core,
with their historical and cultural significance. Though recently, the
city core is threatened by haphazard commercial urbanisation
taking place particularly in its north side (Ason-Indrachowk). The
impacts are already evident, with gradual loss of original
functional and cultural values of these historic spaces. They will
possibly create conflicts in future if not managed in time. Hence,
the city core with its centrality and historic significance has a
greater potential for economic development, provided its main
identity is protected and continued.
CITY PLAN
10
URBAN PATTERN
In all ancient cities of Kathmandu Valley, it can be observed that
settlement is located on an elevated land as a high density
compact planning surrounded by field/ forest or river as a natural
buffer. Another interesting fact is one can’t find the concept of
garden/ green space inside the settlement area except that
of paved courtyard, street squares or water ponds as an open
space.
Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square consists of central north-south

axial road, renowned as the ancient trade route. Since tradition,
the road has been the central spine of activity and connectivity
for its northern and southern activity nodes. According to local
resident who is also a geographer, the north-south axis has been
chosen for the central road, so as to provide for an uninterrupted
access in the city without having to cross any river lying to its
east-west side of the city. Till today, the central road is the major
cultural route during festivals of national significance. Moreover,
11
it’s central wide space with dabalis (raised platform for street
stage performance) give an impression of a large theatre where
tiered plinths of surrounding temples provide as a seating for
audience. Taleju temple, Kal Bhairav, Seto Bhairav, Layaku Bahi,
Taleju Drums, Big Bell, Pratapdhwaj Pillar, Mahendreshwar
temple and Palace Complex are its major landmarks.
PUBLIC RESTHOUSE: Even though, the building is

torn down, its rows of beautifully carved pillars symbolize the
value of the building. It’s a two-storied public resthouse with front
opening to the street and a water complex located behind it. The
purpose of the public rest house is to give shelter to travellers,
pilgrims and social space to local people.
STREETS AND SQUARES: Temples, dabali (raised

platform meant for cultural programs) and their axial relation hold
the ethos of the traditional space, even if the skylines of
surroundings buildings or their styles have changed.
Every street is also symbolized by religious or social object, as

shown above is marked by a small shrine, bell, and lamp
holders. Though, they now look sort of displaced with increasing
levels of road and modernisation trends.
WATER TANK: Known as Jahru in Newari, it’s a water tank

meant for travellers. It’s usually located along the streets and its
stone trough can hold few gallons of water. Unfortunatley, this
water tank located amid busy streets of Kathmandu city core is
completely forgotten of its significance.
12
PUBLIC SPACE: The traditional space is not only remarkable

about its spatial layout but also the concept, as open and
accessible space. As shown above is a raised open space, which
is courtyard for surrounding houses and temple standing on it. In
addition, it also serves as platform for public to view festivals or
activities on streets.
ECONOMY
Trade in Kathmandu is an ancient profession that flourished

along the trade route between India and Tibet. Lhasa was an
important trading place for trading caravans of merchants, the
other trades in which people have been involved since ancient
times are farming, metal casting, woodcarving, painting, waving
and pottery are the other traditional occupations. Kathmandu
plays an important role to help the economy of the country, as
most of the important industrial and commercial centre of Nepal
and the headquarters of most companies, banks and
organizations in the country are located here. New Road, the
Durbar Square, Ason and Putalisadak are the Major economic
hubs in Kathmandu. The city has an economic output worth more
than NRS 170 billion per year. Kathmandu has a major role in the
export of handicrafts, artworks, garments, carpets, pashmina,
paper etc. and trade accounts for 21% of its finances.
Manufacturing comes next in importance and accounts for 19%
of the revenue that Kathmandu generates with generates with
garments and woolen carpets being the most notable
manufacturers.
USA, Germany, Japan, the UK and Canada are the top five
countries importing Nepali handicrafts. But recently the exports of
these products have decreased by 8.1%. Agriculture, education,
transport, hotels and restaurants are the other sectors in
Kathmandu which helps improve the economy. The poverty line
is US $ 400 per capita income.
TOURISM
13
Tourism is the other important sector which generates the highest

income to the country; it is also sometimes referred to as the “third
religion” of Nepal. Nepal was open as a tourist destination for
outsiders in the 1950s. Establishment of air services and the
opening of the Tribhuvan Highway between Kathmandu and
Raxaul at the border with India in 1956 were started. The Tourism
Development Board, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation
Department, was started in Kathmandu to promote tourism.
Nepal also became the member of several international tourists
associations. Building diplomatic relations with other nations was
the other important factor to promote tourism. In Nepal and in
Kathmandu, the hotel industry, travel agencies, training of tourist
guides and targeted publicity campaigns are the chief reasons
which contribute to the remarkable growth of this
industry.Tourism is a major source of income for most of the
people of the city with some several thousands of visitors
annually. There are various religious places within and around
the city. A large number of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims from all
over the world visit these religious places like: Pashupatinath
temple, Swayambhunath stupa, Boudhanath stupa,
Budhanilkantha temple etc. However, the number of tourists
visiting Nepal has declined recently, with political instability in the
county. But with the country turning into a Democratic Republic,
the visitor’s ratio has shown a rising trend. The Himalayas and
the rich cultural heritage of the country, attributes to the growing
tourism.Thamel a major tourist hub in Kathmandu is packed with
guest houses, restaurants, shops and bookstores catering to the
tourists needs. Another alternative to Thamel is the Freak Street,
also known as Jochhen Tole. This was the original traveler’s
haunt made popular by the hippies of the 1970s.
CITY CULTURE
14
The ancient and refined traditional culture of Kathmandu, for that

matter in the whole of Nepal, is an uninterrupted and exceptional
meeting of the Hindu and Buddhist ethos practiced by its highly
religious people. It has also embraced in its fold the cultural
diversity provided by the other religions such as Jainism, Islam
and Christianity.
The ancient trade route between India and Tibet that passed
through Kathmandu enabled fusion of artistic and architectural
traditions of other cultures to be amalgamated with local
architectural and artistic culture.
The City Core has most of the remarkable cultural wealth that
evolved during the reign of the Malla kings between 15th and 18th
centuries. The city was filled with sculptures, pagodas, stupas
and palace buildings of exceptional beauty. There are also 106
monastic courtyards (known as baha or bahi) known for their art
and piety. The level of skill of the local artisans are the exquisite
wood carving, stone carving, metal casting, weaving, pottery and
other crafts. The finest wood carvings are seen on the ornate
windows of old buildings and on the roof struts of temples.
Carving skills of the local artisans are seen at every street corner
in the form of images of gods and goddesses and sunken water
spouts.
15

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History & Evolution of City Planning

Planning & Analysis of Astana & Kathmandu

The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres

Historically, the Kathmandu Valley and adjoining areas were

The city has a rich history, spanning nearly 2000 years, as

The city is positioned in the northwestern part of Kathmandu

Bagmati, Bishnumati, Dhobikhola, Manohara, Hanumant and

Bagdwaar, is the main source from where the river Bagmati

In view of several geographical factors the climatic conditions

According to the population census 2001, total population of

The pattern of the growth in total urban population and annual

EVOLUTION AND LAND USE

Land-use and land-cover (LULC) change, as one of the main

This study is based-on remote sensing (RS) and GIS technology.

LAND USE/COVER CHANGE 1976 TO 1989:

Land use transition in km² (1976 -1989)

Land use transition in km² (1989-2001)

LAND USE/COVER CHANGE IN 2001-2009

Land use transition in km² (2001-2009)

It is said that the ancient town planning is based on Vaastu-

Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square consists of central north-south

PUBLIC RESTHOUSE: Even though, the building is

STREETS AND SQUARES: Temples, dabali (raised

Every street is also symbolized by religious or social object, as

WATER TANK: Known as Jahru in Newari, it’s a water tank

PUBLIC SPACE: The traditional space is not only remarkable

Trade in Kathmandu is an ancient profession that flourished

Tourism is the other important sector which generates the highest

The ancient and refined traditional culture of Kathmandu, for that

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