The kingdom of Bhutan has revealed plans to build a “mindfulness city” that seamlessly integrates Bhutanese culture, the principles of its Gross National Happiness (GNH) index and its rich cultural heritage.
Named “Gelephu Mindfulness City”, the plans span 1,000 sq km near the existing town of Gelephu near Bhutan’s southern border with India. It’s envisioned as both an economic hub and a gateway for visiting tourists to the rest of the country. Inspired by other future city concepts like Saudi Arabia’s The Line, the city looks to rethink urban design to better suit its inhabitants, fostering mindfulness and well-being with an emphasis on environmental benefits.
Created by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), in collaboration with Arup and Cistri, the plans centre around a series of inhabitable bridges which will host critical infrastructure, including a new international airport, a university, healthcare facilities, cultural and spiritual centres, markets and a hydroelectric dam. The design incorporates the network of rivers and streams that criss-cross the region, featuring repeated patterns and neighbourhoods formed around central public spaces, fostering a sense of community. Local building typologies and materials will be used to reflect Bhutanese architectural traditions and cultural values.
Surrounded by mountains, forest and rivers, Bhutan is renowned for its biodiversity, with 70% of its land covered in forest. Gelephu Mindfulness City aims to utilise this natural wealth by creating an urban environment that gradually blends into the surrounding nature as it stretches further out.
ADD WORKGROUP