We seek to get involved early in the design phase so that we can manage the project more efficiently, provide effective building solutions, and identify challenges early on to mitigate design changes after construction commencement.
This involves detailed pre-construction planning crucial to successful construction and on-time delivery, and allows the client and team a clear pathway to the bidding process, construction phase, and through to completion.
Hundreds of settlements were damaged by the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. Very little has been done to rehabilitate these settlements. With the establishment of the National Reconstruction Authority, which is in the process of hiring hundreds of engineers, it can be assumed that things will quickly accelerate with major construction projects being prioritised. Considering the singular focus on shelter of many international agencies, there seems to be lack of discussions on cultural considerations and sustainability. The authorities seemed to have missed the critical timing to begin providing shelter to the affected population, especially for those who required it to survive the harsh winter climate. There were reports of people dying of exposure to the cold. In response, there will be a delayed rush towards reconstruction. This response must incorporate the required consideration of cultural continuity and planning beyond a generation.
There are more than 50 traditional settlements within the valley and most of them are affected by the earthquake. The list of prominent settlements that were badly damaged would begin with Bhaktapur. There have been studies done on the vulnerability of Bhaktapur to liquefaction and the ancient city has always been the one most affected by earthquakes within the valley. Since large parts of the older quarters have been totally destroyed, reconstruction will have a deep impact on the urban character. Other badly damaged settlements within the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage property are the village of Changu Narayan as well as the cluster of houses around Swayambhu Mahachaitya. The 17 houses on the Swayambhu hillock used to be where the priests lived, though now they are mainly used for commercial purposes. This rather distinctive ensemble of buildings will need to be specially treated keeping in mind the lack of stability of slopes of the hillock.
