top of page
SunitaManandhar.jpg

The Role of Pocket Parks in the Sustainable Development of a Community

By Sunita Manandhar

Spring 2022

The Kathmandu metropolitan city is one of the fastest growing capital cities with recent and frequent evidence of unplanned development, loss of green space, tragic events of an earthquake, flood and other environmental problems causing devastation, economic damages, and loss of human life/health, and habitats. Pocket parks are small outdoor public spaces in urban areas surrounded by commercial buildings and residential lots, with few places for people to meet, relax and enjoy the outdoors. They can be created
around monuments, historical signs or art projects. Pocket parks are small, open urban spaces that provide 
a safe and comfortable environment for members of the surrounding community. It also serves different needs and functions such as small event space, children's play area, relaxation room to meet friends, taking lunch break. In the SDG goal 11 “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” this focus in the urban environment. In 11.7 “calls for universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces, which, among other things, help to purify air and absorb rainwater” the need and importance of the urban green space i.e. pocket parks are included. Investing in parks and green spaces in urban areas will help to improve the urban heat island effect and improve air quality in urban spaces. The objective of this research are to:
•    Support the general ecology of the surrounding environment
•    Empower local citizens to make decisions that influence their community
•    Make communities safer and more social
•    Improve fitness and health
•    Reinforce partnerships between local authorities and communities.

bottom of page