| Abstract | The application of planning legislation in Nepal was started with the introduction of the Town Development Committee Act, 1963. However, serious attempts towards planned pattern of urban development did not begin until 1973 when the new Planning Low, the Town Development Plan (Execution) Act, 1973 was promulgated and plans for some of the regional centers were approved. This study aims to gain insight into the legal aspects of planning and implementation of urban development plans in the four regional centers of Nepal except Kathmandu, i.e. Dhankuta, Surkhet, Pokhara and Dipayal by exploring the adequacy and the effectiveness of the 1973 Act in particular and other statutory provisions in general. This was undertaken through the formulation of a broad based research design which comprised of general analysis of the situation and evaluation of four case studies. Primary research was undertaken by means of structured interviews with almost all concerned in planning and implementation of the urban development plans in the study areas. In a brief span of 12 years the experience with urban development programs did have some positive impacts like the appreciation of the programs by the general public, awareness towards planned patterns of development and the practical experience in the urban development works. However, since town planning programs and planning legislation have a relatively short history, they are still in the developing stage and the study has found some areas where further refinements would be desirable. Besides identifying the weaknesses. problems and confusion existing in the present policies. legislation, institutional set-up and implementation, the study has found that three of the study areas are still premature for urban planning purposes. Furthermore, the findings from the study revealed that although the present provisions were not fully utilized, and therefore, there was ample opportunity for greater utilization of the existing legal resources, they are not adequate for the development of the regional centers. Thus, it was found that some additional provisions are necessary to update and revise the existing set-up. The study concludes with a list of recommendations on new strategies and policies for the urban development programs in the country in general and the study areas in particular. The recommendations are made both for the more effective implementation of the ongoing town planning programs and for further studies. |