ADB–CDIA Completes the Kathmandu Valley Ecological Urban Renewal Project Preparation with Stakeholder Consultations

March 30, 2026

From 2–6 February in Kathmandu, Nepal, ADB–CDIA held consultations with six municipalities, ministries, development partners, and civil society organizations to advance the Kathmandu Valley Ecological Urban Renewal (KEUR) Project. The discussions reviewed the findings of the CDIA-supported project preparation study (PPS) and ensured alignment of proposed interventions with stakeholder priorities.

During the final workshop on 4 February, Arnaud Heckmann, ADB Project Officer of KEUR and Country Operations Head at ADB’s Nepal Resident Mission, underscored the urgency of collective action.  

“We are at the crossroads. In terms of ecology, pollution, and the social environment, we can see that the degradation of the Kathmandu Valley is accelerating. So, this is an emergency call. We have to act now and collaboratively because Kathmandu Valley is a shared natural and cultural treasure that we need to save for today’s generation and the children of Kathmandu and Nepal.”  

Kathmandu Valley, Nepal’s largest urban agglomeration, has faced rapid population growth, uncontrolled urbanization, pollution, flooding, loss of green spaces, and encroachment on the ecological and cultural assets. In response, KEUR was formulated to restore ecological balance and promote resilience and livability.  

The PPS established the overall strategy and recommended priority interventions. It produced studies and tools, such as a plant atlas, green cover analysis, database of open green and blue spaces, informal settlement study, and hydraulic analysis and modeling. These provided the scientific basis for the proposed interventions.  

The PPS advanced an integrated and comprehensive strategy, shifting primarily from gray infrastructure toward a “sponge city” approach to revive the river systems and enhance resilience. Guided by comprehensive assessments and stakeholder inputs, ADB-CDIA proposed key interventions:  

• Redevelop the UN Park to reconnect it with the Bagmati River, enhance biodiversity, and add community facilities. 

• Transform the Manohara floodplain into a multifunctional wetland park for flood control, habitat conservation, and public amenities. 

• Revitalize the Tundikhel area with greener walkways, linking Ratna and Rani Pokhari heritage parks. 

• Construct over 100 kilometers of new wastewater interceptors along restored riverbeds to reduce direct sewage discharge. 

Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, welcomed the project’s participatory approach. “I find this project very good because it has sought information or input from us, including myself. Whatever project we implement, if that is consulted with the local people or local people’s representatives like me, then the implementation of that project will be easier.” 

The PPS findings will guide the preparation of a $150 million loan project supported by ADB, to be led by its Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office with support from the Urban Resilience Trust Fund and Technical Assistance Special Fund.  

Photos:

Final Workshop:

Photo 1: Arnaud Heckmann, ADB Project Officer of KEUR and Country Operations Head at ADB’s Nepal Resident Mission, delivering the opening remarks; Photo 2: ADB-CDIA Consulting Team Leader Stephane Milhaud discussing the PPS findings with stakeholders from the local and national governments, development finance partners, the private sector, and NGOs; and Photo 3: CDIA Urban and Resilience Specialist Brian Capati giving his welcome message to the participants.

Consultations with Local Governments:

Photo 1: ADB-CDIA team with Kageshwori Manohara Municipality Mayor Upendra Karki and staff; Photo 2: ADB-CDIA team with Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan and staff.

Consultations with Government Agencies:

Photo 1: Meeting with the directors and staff of the High-Powered Committee for the Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization (HPCIDBC); Photo 2: Debriefing with the Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD) Secretary Gopal Prasad Sigdel and staff, as well as representatives from other government agencies involved in the KEUR Project.