Sujeet Sharma’s research while affiliated with Newcastle University and other places

The paper is the outcome of a systematic effort to study and analyze the experiences of the Kirtipur Housing Project (KHP), the first ever grassroots-led squatter resettlement project in Kathmandu. It is widely hailed as a success story as it has been able to provide a legal, affordable and good quality housing solution to the Sukumbasis through grassroots mobilization. The paper analyses the dynamics of this mobilization and the roles of different actors to show how community empowerment, civil actions and local government interests have converged to create a constructive partnership in line with wider enabling principles. Apart from meeting the narrowly defined objective to rehouse 44 households, the project reflects capacity of the community, quite apart from lobbying and protest, in areas of project planning and management. While no grassroots mobilisation can be expected to replicate in a dynamic environment, the paper draws some policy insights that indicate the ability of the grassroots mobilization in Kathmandu to continue and grow. Conversely, the lessons learned from the project also point to limitations in terms lack of prerequisite critical mass or economic benefits to influence the government to prepare a policy framework under which it can foster in a more structured way.

The paper reviews the Kirtipur Housing Project (KHP), the first ever initiative to relocate 44 households evicted from their settlement as a result of Visnumati Link Road project in Kathmandu. The KHP is widely hailed as a success story as it has been able to provide legal, affordable and adequate quality of housing units to the poor Sukumbasis in line with the United Nation's MDG 7, Target 11 that aims to improve the living conditions of 100 million slum dwellers by 2020. The paper analyses key challenges confronting the 'relocation' in terms of effectiveness of partnership, livelihood strategies and employment opportunities of the relocatees and financial viability of the project. It is observed that network of successful partnership, speedy release of funds and motivated beneficiaries who have agreed to pay for the services and infrastructure to ensure cost recovery show how community empowerment, civil actions and local government interests can converge to secure a solution to the longstanding problem of squatters in the city. They also reflect some of the key ingredients of enabling principles mechanism for a successful low-income housing project. While no grassroots mobilisation can be expected to replicate in a dynamic environment, the paper draws some policy insights that could be useful in wider application of the concept of 'relocation' to address the problems of squatters in the city.

Squatter settlements and slums have become widespread in many Third World cities. Numerous squatter settlements have emerged in different urban centres across Nepal in the last two decades, with Kathmandu, the capital city, being the epicentre. Increasingly, new migrants are clustering in diminishing prime open spaces and environmentally sensitive areas. Though the proportion of squatter housing is low compared to other Third World cities, it is growing rapidly. The aim of this paper is to highlight the inherent gap between the common perception of squatter settlements as unsustainable and squatters' survival strategies manifested through their claim on urban land. This is done by discussing security of tenure, finance and affordability issues associated with land and housing and the legal standing that squatters have in Nepalese law. The final section of the paper presents policy options to stir some thoughts towards planning interventions in the context of the presents policy vacuum concerning squatters in Kathmandu.