Dec 22, 2025 Library hall, Pulchowk Campus
A symposium was compeleted by the efforts of 17th National ASA architecture exhibition. The symposium on “Rethinking Public Buildings” brought together architects, academics, policymakers, and public figures to examine the recent unrest in Nepal and its connection to public architecture and urban space.
Moderated by architect Yugantar Paudel, the session opened with a keynote by Associate Professor Dr. Sanjay Upreti, who analyzed how the urban fabric of Kathmandu influenced the movement, confrontation, and escalation of the Gen Z protests. His presentation highlighted how spatial configurations, marginal and disconnected spaces, and urban circulation patterns shaped crowd behavior and contributed to the targeting of public buildings.
The panel discussion that followed featured Ar. Prakash Aryal, Deputy Director General at DUDBC, Aakriti Ghimire, initiator of HowToDeshBikas, Prof. Dr. Sangeeta Singh, Professor of Urban Planning and former member of the National Planning Commission, and Prof. Dr. Prem Nath Maskey, a leading expert in structural and earthquake engineering. Together, they explored why public buildings became symbols of frustration, what they represent in the public imagination today, and how weakened trust, collective ownership, and civic connection have intensified conflict.
The discussion extended to government responsibility, fire safety, disaster preparedness, and policy accountability, emphasizing the gap between existing regulations and real-world performance. Panelists reflected on the role of DUDBC, the need for structured fire safety frameworks for man-induced disasters, and the reimagining of public spaces for safer civic expression. Accessibility was framed not only as physical entry but as emotional and civic engagement, with proposals such as incorporating public programs and exhibition spaces within government buildings and reducing rigid boundary walls to strengthen public connection.
The session concluded with reflections by session chair Mr. Jagdish Chandra Pokhrel, who emphasized that rebuilding must go beyond physical reconstruction to address what public buildings represent socially and politically, underscoring the need for continued dialogue on public architecture, trust, and collective responsibility in Nepal.
Documented by: Vaastu editorial team
Photograph credits: organizing committee
