A study on vertical expansion of buildings in Te Bahal, Kathmandu

Abstract

Kathmandu, a traditional city, has yielded itself through urban transformations to support the ongoing rapid urban population growth. The phenomenon of vertical expansion of buildings, one of the facets of urban transformation; has been occurring in traditional city core areas of Kathmandu. These vertically expanded buildings put on additional pressure to the existing urban fabric, as it brings in more people and built-up structures in the limited urban space, often leading to spatial and infrastructural deficit. This phenomenon of vertical expansion is further aggravated by the ongoing property fragmentation trend, reducing the footprint of the building, resulting slender buildings with acute spaces, through vertical division of buildings. The study aims at understanding this phenomenon of vertical expansion of buildings; and analyzing the impacts created on the overall built environment of the area, regarding the aspects of image of the place and usability. A study area ‘Te Bahal’, one of the traditional core city areas of Kathmandu is selected, as it posses some intensified cases of vertical expansion of core area buildings. However, the study involved literature review, desktop research, and primary data collection through observation and questionnaire survey in the study area, along with analysis and recommendations. The study recognized some major causes behind the vertical expansion of buildings including, rapid urbanization with population growth, lack of efficiency in regulating building byelaws, existing property ownership trends, and growing economic opportunities. While, the study analyzed and concluded that the unplanned and haphazard vertical expansion of the buildings is responsible for deterioration of the image of the place and usability of the spaces, in both individual building and the neighborhood scale. However, it was also realized that the vertical expansion of buildings increased vulnerability to probable earthquake, while the study also recognized the intertwined economic benefits from phenomenon.