Kathmandu and Bandung – Case Study Locations

The FACE-UP project is focussed on the cities of Kathmandu in Nepal and Bandung in Indonesia. Nepal and Indonesia were selected because urban areas in both countries suffer severe anthropogenic pollution and the chosen cities (Kathmandu and Bandung) both have basin topographies (which accentuate the pollution), yet have different climates (Kathmandu can reach < 5˚C during winter vs. Bandung >25˚C year-round).

As such, the most effective methods of personal exposure reduction will likely differ. In both countries, urban dwellings have mostly converted to cleaner cooking fuels (e.g., gas), suggesting indoor particulate air pollution (PAP) sources are less problematic than outdoor PAP, allowing a focus on PAP exposure reduction measures from outdoor sources.