Kathmandu, November 3

Society of Nepalese Architects has urged Kathmandu Metropolitan City to amend the new building code before implementing it.

The new building code endorsed by KMC recently allows construction of buildings with two-storey basement and taller than 65 feet in the preserved monument sub-zones.

Issuing a notice, SONA said, “We request the KMC to amend the new building code, which neglects suggestions, both written and verbal, from SONA.”

Earlier in August, KMC had endorsed the new building code, allowing construction of buildings taller than that prescribed by the federal law. The new code has drawn flak from activists and government bodies.

SONA added that the new code largely undermined heritage sites as the new code posed grave danger of further destruction even in lower magnitude earthquakes.

The existing federal law allows construction of only five-storey buildings.