Methods

The methods that are used in the fieldwork are according to the changing regulations due to the Covid-19 situation in the Kathmandu valley. Both qualitative and quantitative aspects were investigated.

OBSERVATION TRANSCENT WALK

Direct observation

During the initial phase of fieldwork, the city was under lockdown so it was not easy to visit the site frequently. However, the study site was visited three times a day (morning, afternoon, and evening) on weekends and weekdays to observe the environment of the area without consulting the people. A system of direct observation was used, to evaluate the physical activity level (sedentary, walking, and vigorous) and user characteristics (gender and age group). In the same way, the pattern of the routes followed by the users was observed. Transect walk

Transect walks were conducted especially early in the morning on the roads and paths to meet up the local trash pickers and informal vendors. Similarly, observations were done while walking, and questions were asked to the related person. The observations were also captured in the form of drawings, photos, videos, and notes. The observation helped in providing basic questions for the interview.

Interviews

With the ease in the Covid-19 regulations, interviews were taken while maintaining social distancing. Firstly, the local people and the visitors in the square were informally interviewed in which the questionnaire was not prepared. Then, different stakeholders were interviewed through which some insights about the problems of the area were gained. Finally, a formal interview was conducted in which a set of questionnaires was prepared for the interview with the deputy mayor and engineers of the local municipality as well as the museum officer. Through the interview, I found out about the different ongoing as well as future projects in the area. Furthermore, due to thte increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the valley, phone interviews were frequently conducted. INTERVIEWS

ONLINE SURVEYS Online survey

After the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, the government implemented the second lockdown in the valley with even strict regulation for circulation. So I had to limit myself for the online survey. A list of grading questionnaires with certain points and scale grading from 1 to 5 were prepared. These questions were forwarded through various social media to different people who visited the square. This method helped to find out the major problems in the area.

Figure 98: Power-Intrest diagram (Source: Author) STAKEHOLDER MAPPING

Stakeholders Mapping

Different stakeholders of the study area were identified. A stakeholders mapping was done to analyze the power and interest of the stakeholders who affect or are affected by the outcomes.