Sociability in a new leisure realm

Places are ‘articulations of social relations’ and are open to a multiplicity of readings (Massey, 1995, p. 183). They do not have particular or fixed meanings but can change through mediated, discursive, and socially constructed processes; however, scholarship on the relevance of leisure-induced initiatives in the making of a place is relatively scant. In the proposed paper, I will investigate the engagement between leisure and placemaking in a small hill station in the foothills of Nepal’s Himalayas. Chandragiri, a small town at an altitude of 2,551 meters above sea level has historical significance in that it was from these hills that Nepal’s founder King caught the first glimpse of a scenic and prosperous Kathmandu valley, which instilled in him the idea of annexing the valley into his kingdom. Despite being only 7 kilometres away from Kathmandu, the town remained remote and neglected until recently. However, an integrated development project in 2016 opened a cable car access to the town, and the town has seen the development of several leisure spaces; for example, a new hill resort was opened; new pilgrimage sites, short hikes, and children’s parks were developed; restaurants, souvenir shops, and other leisure amenities were built. These developments have played an important role in Chandragiri's placemaking, which has helped it acquire a new identity as a leisure and recreation destination. The paper applies qualitative methodology and relies on data collected through field observation and interviews with visitors and residents to better understand how the new place identity has evolved in Chandragiri. The paper examines how the newly created leisure realm has provided opportunities for sociability for visitors and residents and what that means for their understanding of leisure. The paper helps us enrich our knowledge on the interdependence of leisure and placemaking and contributes to the above scholarship in the context of non-western leisure.