Community Disaster Risk Management for Earthquake Risk Mitigation Planning in Historic City Central Area, Kathmandu, NepalJeny ShresthaDMHA CapstoneSpring 2014Jeny Shrestha1Problem StatementDue to The unpredictable nature of sudden earthquakes means humans are often taken by surprise. The problem is all the more pressing as research highlights a direct link between disaster risk and vulnerability within vulnerable local communities in developing countries (Dixit, et al., 2013; Uprety and Yoshida, 2009 ). This was evident in the cases of the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2006 Gujarat earthquake. Geologically squashed between the Indian and Tibetan plateaus, Kathmandu presents the highest seismic risk (GHI, 2001; IDRL, 2011). Rapid urbanization, increasing urban growth rate to 6%, haphazard construction, lack of implementation of land use plans and building codes, lack of emergency facilities and implementation of policies further exacerbate vulnerability (Bhattarai, 1999; JICA, 2002). According to NDR (2011), an earthquake of magnitude greater than 8 occurs in Kathmandu every 75 years. The 1934 earthquake claimed the lives of 8,500 people, destroyed 20% of buildings and caused significant damage to cultural and critical infrastructure. According to an estimate by NSET (2002), in the event of an earthquake of similar magnitude in the current context, Kathmandu would experience 100,000 deaths, 300,000 injuries, the displacement of more than a million inhabitants and greater risks of liquefaction. students. Thus, as a major hub of commerce, education and administration, any future large earthquake in the capital is likely to have serious consequences on its citizens if the country does not adequately prepare for advance. . middle of paper ......see vulnerability to disasters. (IDRL, 2011). Although the role of the national government is appropriate to develop plans, policies and programs that guide local government actions, it is important to focus at the local level to reduce the scale of the disaster. Thus, CBRM could be an effective step towards resilience, as local populations are the first to experience and respond to disasters. Such an approach could serve as a link between local knowledge and existing capacities to balance the conventional top-down approach. The document thus highlights the need to focus on the integration of the local population in awareness-raising and decision-making activities to act in the face of seismic risks and on their involvement in the execution of the disaster mitigation program Jeny Shrn disaster risk reduction. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). Program completion report. March 26, 2004. URL: http