Squatting in the Kathmandu Valley: A historical perspective

In recent years the urban population of Nepal living in places of 10,000 population and more increased by 116.5% and grew at a rate of 8.03% per annum, compared to an 2.39% annual growth rate for the rest of the country. Socio-economically, much of this urban populace will be marginalised and many will end up in squatter settlements. Squatting is a complex issue encompassing a variety of problems at the national, local and personal level. This paper seeks to explore the historical factors which contributed to the present increase in squatting in the Kathmandu Valley.