Building Code Implementation Program in Municipalities of Nepal (BCIPN) launched

The Government of Nepal, Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD) and National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) with funding support from U. S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) jointly organized a program launching workshop on ‘Building Code Implementation Program in Municipalities of Nepal (BCIPN)’ today on September 17, 2013 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The launching workshop was organized to discuss main issues, challenges and future course of action inviting key stakeholders related to building code implementation in Nepal. The workshop observed the presence of more than 100 participants including senior government officials, municipality officials and engineers, national and international experts, representatives from professional societies, various INGOs and NGOs, academia, practitioners and media.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Guest, Mr. Kishore Thapa, Secretary Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD), expressed his commitment on behalf of Government of Nepal for the effective enforcement of Building Code Implementation in Nepal. Building Code Implementation has to be taken as a National Campaign, It should be implemented not just in the municipalities but in all the settlement of Nepal, especially high occupancy buildings should strictly follow the national building code stressed Mr. Thapa. Mr. Thapa in his keynote speech urged all the DUDBC division offices to be mobilized, municipalities and other concerned stakeholder for their support in this collective effort towards implementing the Building Code Implementation Program in Nepal.

Mr. Shambu KC, Director General, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) in his inaugural speech appreciated the effort of the organizers in bringing all the stakeholders in one platform and urged all the other development partners to share their initiatives towards Building Code Implementation. He further mentioned that DUDBC is working in three areas such as the Implementation of building code, enforcement of building code and regularization of stakeholders. He, on behalf of DUDBC, expressed his commitments and support for the successful implementation of Building Code Implementation Program.

Ms. Laxmi Pandey (Gautam), Under-Secretary, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, (MOFALD) in her remarks stressed that it is a real challenge to implement the building code in all the 58 municipalities and the surrounding VDCs. She further mentioned that MOFALD is very much committed and working towards it and it requires collective efforts from all the stakeholders to achieve this.

Mr. Yogeshwar Krishna Parajuli, Development Commissioner, Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) in his remarks briefed about the works being carried out by KVDA as planning developing and monitoring and stressed that it is high time that the government, the civil society organizations, consulting firms, international organizations, academia, and media should work collectively towards building code implementation in the country.

Addressing the workshop, Mr. William S Berger, Senior Regional Advisor, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA/USAID) highlighted on DRR support in Nepal and appreciated efforts of Nepal Government toward effective enforcement of building code in Nepal. ‘Safer building is the key and we have to make this happen in Nepal so through this program we hope to achieve this in Nepal, stressed Mr. Berger.

Ms. Moira Reddick, Coordinator, Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC) in her remarks stressed that now is the moment to act to minimize the risk, there has to be proper enforcement in the building code implementation. We have to work collectively to achieve this in real time during the next three years before the project ends and NRRC is looking forward to be a part of the project said Ms. Reddick.

Mr. Amod Mani Dixit, Executive Director of NSET, shared the conceptual background of the BCIPN Program. “The earthquake risk of urban settlements in Nepal is very high and growing rapidly and to address this huge risk intervention on safer construction is urgently required and strict implementation of the building code is one of the most effective ways to address this risk” stressed Mr. Dixit while highlighting the importance of Building Code Implementation in the municipalities of Nepal which had made NSET to conceptualize and implement BCIPN program in Nepal.

Mr. Surya Narayan Shrestha, Deputy Executive Director of NSET further highlighted the main activities under the BCIPN program to support the municipalities in BCI. He mentioned that sharing of learning experiences from the municipalities who have already implemented Building Code, capacity enhancement and awareness raising of the stakeholders are some of the major activities of the program.

Mr. Shiva Bahadur Pradhanang, President, NSET in his closing remarks stressed that for the successful implementation of the BCIPN program there has to be a collective and collaborative effort from all the concerned agencies under the leadership of the government entity and Ministry of Urban development has to take the lead.

BCIPN focuses on assisting the municipal governments in Nepal in enhancing their capacities to develop and administer the building permits and control system for ensuring improved seismic performance of all new building constructions. This entails, on one hand, helping the municipalities to develop an effective mechanism for building code implementation, and on the other hand, enhancing public awareness, and technical knowledge of the residents, municipal officials, and technical professionals on aspects of earthquake risk management including earthquake-resistant design and construction. This is proposed to be achieved by conducting a series of training programs for technical personnel including the contractors and masons, and by conducting earthquake orientation and other awareness activities.

The workshop included sharing of experiences, commitments, and lessons from municipalities such as Vyas, Damak, Ghorahi, Bharatpur, and Kathmandu.

The BCIPN program is being implemented by NSET with the funding support from U. S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA and is envisioned to be implemented in 24 municipalities / urban centers of Nepal for a period of three years during Oct. 2012 – Sep. 2015.

For more picture click here

Download Brochure

Media Room

NSET Publications

Gallery