Inclusive Urban Development: A Story from Harion Municipality

Utam Thapa, Chief Planning Officer for Harion Municipality, has witnessed firsthand the impact of Bagmati Welfare Society's diverse projects, spanning education, health, livelihoods, water and sanitation, food nutrition, and community building. He's particularly enthusiastic about the Urban FutureScape/Hamro Sahar Project, a partnership between Helvetas Nepal, Bagmati Welfare Society Nepal, and Kathmandu University, working in close coordination with the municipality.

Running from October 2024, the project aims to improve inclusive urban governance and access to social and physical infrastructure for marginalized groups, including Dalits, women, and people with disabilities. Thapa, through his active participation in project meetings, seminars, and workshops, has gained valuable insights into its goals and objectives. He sees the project as a "golden opportunity" for positive change in Harion Municipality.

He highlights the project's influence on local stakeholders through workshops on Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Wholesale Market Hubs. These workshops have sparked discussions on employment generation, revenue generation, tourism development, and wholesale market development. Thapa is particularly hopeful about the project's potential to revitalize the municipality's unused 134-shutter building in Harion Bazar. Despite seven open tender notices, the building remained vacant. However, the Hamro Sahar Project, through PPP facilitation, has generated renewed interest in its operation. Thapa hopes to see this happen during his tenure.

He also notes the completion of baseline surveys, rapid market assessments, and GESI assessments, expressing confidence that these will inform future project activities and contribute to the health and well-being of Harion Municipality residents. Thapa concludes by expressing his gratitude to Helvetas, Kathmandu University, and Bagmati Welfare Society Nepal, wishing the Hamro Sahar Project continued success.