Building a Safer Future: ISET-Nepal’s Green Space Initiative in Disaster Management

Urban open spaces, such as parks, plazas, streets, and seating areas, are publicly accessible areas free from dense structures. They serve dual purposes: enhancing community well-being and strengthening emergency preparedness and response. In disaster management, these spaces provide critical evacuation zones, temporary shelters, and aid distribution hubs during crises like earthquakes, floods, and landslides, which are hazards to which Nepal is highly vulnerable. Beyond disaster response, open spaces contribute to climate change mitigation, flood alleviation, ecosystem services, social cohesion, and public health, aligning with global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities). Rapid urbanization, population growth, and inadequate infrastructure exacerbate disaster risks, particularly in urban centers. Challenges such as unplanned development, poor construction standards, and limited resources hinder effective disaster management, compounded by Nepal’s rugged terrain, complicating relief efforts in isolated areas. While disaster management policies have improved, gaps in implementation, infrastructure, and community preparedness underscore the need for practical solutions like open space mapping. These spaces are vital for emergency response, environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and economic development, contributing to long-term community well-being.

Further Reading: Building-a-safer-future

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