Rapid urbanization has transformed Kathmandu
Valley, Nepal, one of the fastest growing
metropolitan regions in South Asia. This
urbanization, in turn, is leading to considerable
social, economic, and environmental stress.
The region has seen unplanned growth
despite continued planning exercises. In 2011,
in response to the rapid urbanization then
Prime Minster Baburam Bhattarai initiated
road expansion throughout the city to reduce
traffic congestion. By mid 2015, it was clear that
the road expansion induced greater demand
leading to further traffic congestion rather than
alleviating the problem. Today, non-motorized
(pedestrians and bicycle) road users are more
unsafe on the roads than ever before, and the
plight of public transport users has remained
the same. Traffic congestion has become a
more serious problem.