Contemporary urban residential development and community building in South Asian cities: A case of Kathmandu Valley

摘要

Urban residential development aims at building a community in a geographic location based on physical proximity, with social ties and networking among neighbourhood residents. However, due to the transformation of modern urban environments, not only the physical layout of the contemporary urban neighbourhoods has altered but these neighbourhoods are also facing a host of socio-demographic changes. Against the background of the rapid urban growth and change, the process of community building faces significant challenges in the development of residential neighbourhoods around the globe. Using Kathmandu Valley as a case study, this paper examines the formation of residential community in new neighbourhoods of contemporary South Asian cities. The paper reports on findings from a study of two new neighbourhoods in the valley, which have been developed over the period of the past three decades. Data were collected from household surveys and interviews with the neighbourhood residents. Findings of the study reveal that since the new neighbourhoods are multiethnic and composed of newcomers, the residents have been struggling to organise themselves in a community. The social networking is just beginning to take place and the new forms of community-based organisations are emerging in the changing social context. Yet, the formation of the community is slow and less effective in building social networks. This suggests that the contemporary urban residential development is less conducive to the community building process. These consequences indicate that sustainability of social life may emerge as a major challenge of the transformation of contemporary urban neighbourhoods in South Asian cities.