THESIS ABSTRACT

Abstract

Climate change, characterized by long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns, presents significant challenges to both rural and urban areas, impacting various aspects of life, including water resources, agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods. In urban areas, climate change exacerbates existing challenges related to water supply, sanitation, and infrastructure resilience. This thesis explores challenges in Kathmandu Metropolitan City's urban water infrastructure due to climate change, employing a research approach integrating qualitative and quantitative methods. Engaging engineers, practitioners, and experts, the study uses questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and thematic analysis for primary data collection, supplemented by secondary data. The Relative Importance Index (RII) method, with Excel and SPSS 16.0, categorizes and analyzes data systematically. The assessment reveals inadequacies in meeting water demand, heightened vulnerabilities to climate-related events, and a lack of stakeholder awareness on climate change impacts. Floods, landslides, and droughts pose substantial challenges to urban water infrastructure. In conclusion, climate-adaptive measures aim to enhance water storage and supply capacities. Challenges include regulatory constraints, technical expertise gaps, financial limitations, and regulatory hurdles. Effective collaboration is crucial, emphasizing addressing communication barriers and building trust. Proposed remedial measures involve increased investment in climate-resilient technologies, reinforced regulations, and public awareness campaigns. Ensuring public understanding through robust campaigns, periodic climate risk assessments, and adopting Smart Water Management Systems is recommended.

Keywords

Urban water infrastructure, Climate change, Resilience and adaptability, and stakeholder collaboration.