REVITALIZATION OF THE OPEN PUBLIC SPACE (SDG 11.7) - DE PUKHU, BUNGAMATI
Description
The good practice is about using 'Green Technique' to clean the debris, renovation of the pond - De Pukhu, under the leadership and contribution of local people. The debris was cleared; walls are converted into public spaces, decorated with traditional arts and thereby created public spaces for women, children, youth and elderly. This has enhanced the ambiance of the area attracting tourists. There is a plan to add open coffee shop next to the pond.
UN-Habitat in partnership with local community enhanced one of the existing public spaces that were in a dilapidated condition. De Pukhu is the historic pond of Bungamati which was filled with debris and dirt badly reducing the depth and was putrid and polluted.The main objective of the practice was to develop a strategy for "Sustainable Tourism and Green Growth for Heritage Settlements of Kathmandu Valley." The project is working for the effective implementation of strategy for SDG 11: "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable" - Target 11.7: "By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women children, older persons and persons with disabilities."<br />
De-Pukhu stands as one of the significant infrastructures within the heritage settlement that has closer ties with local people both culturally and religiously. The pond is one more point of attraction and most the tourist visit this pond. A water infrastructure with standing water within the settlement is always pride and attraction and moreover provides ecological services to the settlement. It recharges the ground water, avail water for several water rituals including after-the-death rituals. The pond is also used to wet cane in the 12th year special chariot festival of Machchindranath. Cleaning of the pond demands cautious, sensitive, and manual labour. Unlike the rough practice of cleaning ponds using dozers seen in other settlements, local community made it through manually to protect pond infrastructures. This labor intensive work was important as the clay-lined floor can be punctured with heavy equipment. To meet the challenge, proper advocacy of the importance sensitive intervention was discussed with the community which was successfully supported by the intellects within the community.
The first step was the community consultation. Discussions and meetings were carried out with local community, and their cluster committee along with Bungamati Area Reconstruction Development Committee (BARDeC). The first official community meeting was held on 21st September 2018. The committee, with the support of the technical team from CIUD and UN-Habitat prepared a comprehensive plan for the revitalization of the De-Pukhu that includes cleaning of the pond, adding street furniture, adding solar lights along the area etc. As the committee agreed on the concept, the plan was further forwarded to BARDeC and Ward 22 for approval. Compiling the recommendation, the concept plan was ready for action. Out of the several local contractors, Ms. Gyani Maharjan was selected by the committee for her experience, commitment and her bond to the local pond. Regular, weekly, cluster meetings were carried out to review the progress and the development. CIUD provided quality control and quality assurance. The Ward Chairman and members regularly visited the ongoing works. This was also helpful in quality control. The work was also observed by the mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City and National Reconstruction Authority (NRA).
The major part of the restoration, revitalization of the heritage associated work is the community participation and ownership from the community and local government body. Revitalization of De-Pukhu can be termed successful due to the patience shown by the community to clean the pond without damaging the base of the pond. Taking advice from the experts and the technicians on the right moment also lead the activity in the right direction. Advocacy to the community regarding the enhancement of the open public space and the community being able to understand the topic was the driving force to the campaign.
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- Asia and Pacific
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Prabin Bajracharya, Senior Programme Officer