Thimphu, Bhutan: During the recent National Day celebrations held on the 17th of December, 2023, I witnessed the King’s speech to the nation. Knowing he had much to say, in an extraordinary show of kindness and compassion, he asked all the armed forces and military marching band members, standing at “attention” in front of their King, to sit down.
Gelephu City is being designed as Mindfulness City, aligning with His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s vision for a new economic hub in Bhutan. Spanning over 1000 km2, the master plan integrates Bhutanese culture, the Gross National Happiness Index (GNH) principles, and the country’s spiritual heritage. Situated in Southern Bhutan, near the India-Bhutan border, the Gelephu Special Administration Region is envisioned to leverage its location to foster economic growth and provide opportunities for the local population.
With Bhutan’s lush landscapes in mind, Mindfulness City plans to enhance natural wealth by creating an interconnected network of ecosystems and vibrant neighbourhoods. The plan will incorporate green technology, education, and infrastructure, such as an international airport, railway connections, a hydroelectric dam, and public spaces. It also embraces local building typologies based on the nine domains of National Happiness, reflecting aspects like well-being, health, education, and fostering cultural hubs and civic facilities.
Surrounded by mountains, forests, and rivers, Bhutan is home to rich biodiversity, with 70% of its land covered in forest. The Mindfulness City aims to enhance this natural wealth by creating an interconnected network of ecosystems and vibrant neighbourhoods. Inspired by the flow of 35 rivers and streams across the site, the city’s design features ribbonlike neighbourhoods resembling paddy fields, forming terraces cascading from hills to valleys. The city’s density gradually increases from rural highlands to urban lowlands, fostering a seamless transition between different living environments.
Renowned designer Bjarke Ingels describes the Gelephu Masterplan as shaping the King’s vision.
“The Gelephu Masterplan gives form to His Majesty’s vision to create a city that becomes a cradle for growth and innovation while remaining founded on Bhutanese nature and culture. We imagine the Mindfulness City as a place that could be nowhere else,” he said.
“Shaped by waterways, Gelephu becomes a land of bridges, connecting nature and people, past and future, local and global. Like the traditional Dzongs, these inhabitable bridges turn into cultural landmarks, doubling as transportation infrastructure combined with civic facilities,” said Ingels.
Written by: Andrew Wood
