Maozhu Zhang

Flowscapes

Water steps: Reviving the Bagmati River in the Kathmandu Valley

The civilisation and urbanisation of Kathmandu Valley started with the Bagmati River but rapid urban expansion contributed to the decline of this sacred river. It resulted in a loss of connection between the people and the river, which ultimately led to a decline in the quality of life in the Kathmandu Valley. 

This project explores the role of landscape architecture methods in integrating the separate, mainly technical measures as part of a spatial design that rebuilds the connection between the people and the Bagmati River. Efforts will be put into the ‘process of change’ to improve the quality of life in the Kathmandu Valley. 

The ‘Urban metabolism’ theory helps to form spatial strategies for transforming the linear and unsustainable flows into circular and sustainable flows to restore the ecological condition of the Bagmati River. The slow landscape transformation guided by phasing and the involvement of inhabitants will gradually make the river liveable again.

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