Media Role In Nepal's Urban Growth

South Asia is at the crux of the fastest urbanisation rate in the world, with millions migrating to cities in search of a better quality of life. Urban growth has resulted in economic prosperity, job creation, and better access to healthcare and education. But the progress has also introduced significant challenges, such as unplanned urban expansion, insufficient infrastructure, and environmental degradation.

We see it on the news frequently how megacities like Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka and Karachi are facing severe issues such as heavy congestion, air pollution, and unregulated settlements. At the same time, smaller towns are finding it hard to provide basic services because they are growing so quickly without enough support or funding. Climate change makes this even more complicated, as many South Asian cities face new threats from flooding and heatwaves.

Fast-growing urbanisation  

Nepal, too, is moving even faster on the road to urbanisation. According to the National Statistics Office, we are looking at a future where over half the population will live in cities by 2050. Compare that to just 27 per cent today. This isn't just a statistic; it's a total transformation of our society. In these changing times, the media has to be more than just a witness. Journalists are the essential bridge between the people living in these cities and the policymakers drawing the maps. Take the Kathmandu Valley: it holds a quarter of our urban population but is suffocating under unplanned growth.

The media holds the power to influence the public, so it should advocate for inclusive, equitable urban policies to address these serious gaps by narrating such issues and showcasing successful regional practices. Media platforms can hold space for marginalised groups, youth, and grassroots organisers, ensuring their voices aren't drowned out in federal policy debates. One of the media's most powerful tools is its ability to "translate". Urban planning is full of dense data and technical jargon. A good journalist takes those numbers, like the fact that most urbanites live in the Tarai despite it being only 23 per cent of our land, and turns them into a story that regular citizens can actually engage with.

Likewise, accountability is the media’s significant role. Journalists keep public institutions in check by following what happens after policies are announced—by tracking urban projects on the ground, questioning delays and cost overruns, and pointing out where plans fail to reach the people they were meant to serve. The ambitious commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals can only be done through constant public engagement. The media has the ability to contextualise local urban challenges within global efforts, and in doing so, it can inspire policymakers and communities to adopt innovative solutions that match the local realities.

It is important to note that urban growth is also closely tied to economic outcomes. Regions with higher levels of urbanisation tend to see stronger productivity and higher income levels, underscoring why sustainable urban development deserves sustained public attention. Bagmati Province contributes the highest share of GDP, 36.8 per cent, with almost half of its population in urban areas; in comparison, Karnali Province, with the lowest level of urbanisation, 0.9 per cent, contributes just 4.1 per cent to the GDP. 

If we want economic prosperity, we need cities that actually work. Journalists provide the oversight needed to ensure urban projects don't just exist on paper but are actually built and managed transparently. Urban journalism has the potential to expand public understanding of how cities function and grow. Dedicated urban journalists can shed light on issues ranging from infrastructure deficits to climate resilience, sparking informed public discourse and encouraging inclusive governance.

To tell the story of a city effectively, journalists need a specialised lens. Recently, UNOPS, the Urban Journalism Institute, and the French Embassy brought that focus to Kathmandu through the "Urban Journalism Academy", where journalists took to the streets of Chandragiri for an "Urban Walk". They saw firsthand what happens when a community helps design its own public spaces. By teaching journalists how to look for solutions and work with people on the ground, the academy empowered them to write stories that bridge the gap between complex government policies and the people they affect. 

These events do more than just spark green habits; they help the media tell better stories about our cities, making sure everyone is part of the conversation about our shared future. "Urban development requires collaboration among governments, civil society, the private sector, and citizens. Media outlets can facilitate inclusive dialogues by offering platforms for marginalised voices such as grassroots organisations, youth, and others,” says Virginie Corteval, Ambassador of France to Nepal, in a recent conversation.  

Engagement 

The Cities 4 Women: Inclusive and Climate Resilient Urbanisation in Nepal, a project being implemented by UNOPS, UN-Habitat, and Cities Alliance in partnership with the European Union and Finland, and overseen by the Ministry of Urban Development, understands the importance of media engagement. This initiative, implemented in seven municipalities, aims to support inclusive participation in planning, prioritising, designing, and implementing public infrastructure. 

The media has a pivotal role in informing communities about such projects, simplifying technical policies into digestible content, and mobilising cities to actively participate in urban decision-making. As Nepal’s cities grow bigger, the stakes couldn't be higher. Throughout this transformation, the media has a major role to play that goes beyond just reporting. By keeping people informed and connected, the media helps build a future where our cities are designed for everyone.

(Gubic is an architect and has beenworking for the United Nations since 2010.)