PROJECTS
The 1000-square-kilometer mega development project in Gelephu presents a progressive and inspired take on the country’s traditional ways of living.
By Shivani V K
4 Feb 2024
The Mindfulness City is designed around a series of waterways in Gelephu, Bhutan | Image Courtesy of Brick Visual, Atchain and BIG
Besides setting itself apart by measuring its progress with a “Gross National Happiness” index rather than economic factors, Bhutan is also the first carbon negative country in the world, absorbing more carbon than it emits. In line with its efforts of promoting both happiness and ecological sustainability, as well as to kick-start a new wave of employment opportunities, the country’s monarch King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck recently presented plans for a new mega development named ‘Mindfulness City’ during his address at Bhutan’s 116th National Day celebrations.
The 1000-square-kilometer city, envisioned as a new economic center for the country, will come up in the town of Gelephu in southern Bhutan near the Indian border. Its masterplan, put together by Copenhagen-based Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) along with British engineering firm Arup and Singapore-based development consultants Cistri, seeks to set new benchmarks for progressive development that is rooted in culture and sustainability.
The city is planned around 35 rivers and streams with eleven neighborhoods linked by bridges | Image Courtesy of Brick Visual, Atchain and BIG
A City of Bridges: Connecting the Past With the Future
The central design principle while crafting the masterplan was to make the most of Bhutan's unique ecosystems, promoting biodiversity. The city is thus planned around the region's 35 existing rivers and streams as a system of eleven interconnected neighborhoods. Inhabitants will traverse these neighborhoods through bridges, which will stand as pivotal features in the landscape. Large paddy fields will protect the neighborhoods from possible flooding while acting as wildlife corridors, feeding into the idea of coexistence in harmony with nature.
Bridges in the city will host varied public functions | Image Courtesy of Brick Visual, Atchain and BIG
“Gelephu is a land of bridges,” said BIG founder Bjark Ingels, “connecting nature and people, past and future, local and global.” Echoing the ethos of the region’s traditional Dzong monasteries, the design envisions the bridges not only as transportation infrastructure but as cultural landmarks. The structures will create dynamic spaces hosting a range of public programs — from cultural and educational to recreational.
The Vajrayana Spiritual Center will offer visitors a peek into the spiritual practices of Bhutan | Image Courtesy of Brick Visual, Atchain and BIG
Spirituality and Sustainability: Bringing Bhutan’s Culture to the Modern World
Mirroring Bhutan’s robust spiritual heritage, the Vajrayana spiritual center is a distinct building in the masterplan, weaving itself in and out over one of the area’s waterways. It is designed to offer the world a window into the practices of monks and mindfulness experts, embodying the city’s commitment to spiritual well-being.
A hydroelectric dam designed as a functional landmark in the sustainable city | Image Courtesy of Brick Visual, Atchain and BIG
Aligned with the country's focus on sustainability, the city will run on energy produced by a hydroelectric dam. Envisioned as a modern-day monument that Ingels says turns “engineering into art and forces of nature into power,” the dam features cascading steps, viewpoints, and a temple integrated into its form. An international airport is also planned within Gelephu, with a terminal acting as a bridge and its runway raised across several rivers.
The dam features cascading steps, viewpoints, and a temple integrated into its form | Image Courtesy of Brick Visual, Atchain and BIG
Integrating the Vernacular Into the Idea of Progress
The buildings are designed to echo the distinct architectural identity of the region, incorporating natural materials like wood, stone and bamboo in traditional forms. For instance, the new airport features a timber terminal, harmonizing modern infrastructure with timeless local craftsmanship. The masterplan also includes local markets designed to showcase Bhutanese heritage.
Buildings will incorporate natural materials like wood, stone and bamboo in traditional forms | Image Courtesy of Brick Visual, Atchain and BIG
The city, once realized, holds the potential to be a conduit, bridging Bhutan's ancient wisdom with the contemporary world. Although it occupies a mere 2.5% of the country’s total area, Wangchuck believes it will usher in new opportunities and envisions vast benefits for the entire country. BIG's design encapsulates this transformative vision.
The city will house marketplaces designed to showcase Bhutanese heritage | Image Courtesy of Brick Visual, Atchain and BIG
"We imagine the Mindfulness City as a place that could be nowhere else," affirms Ingels. "Where nature is enhanced, agriculture is integrated, and tradition is living and breathing, not only preserved but also evolved."
