His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck shared plans for a new ‘Mindfulness City’ during the nation’s National Day on 17 December 2023. Located in the town of Gelephu in Southern Bhutan, the 1000+ km2 masterplan will seek to enhance the natural environment of the landlocked Kingdom of Bhutan.
Designed by BIG’s Landscape and Urban Design Team, the masterplan aims to lay the foundation for the country’s future growth, creating opportunities for the Bhutanese people through investments in green technology, education, and infrastructure. The masterplan includes a new international airport, railway connections, a hydroelectric dam, public spaces, and a language for local building typologies.
Shaped by waterways, Gelephu is envisioned as a land of bridges, connecting nature and people. Like the traditional Dzongs, BIG plans to the bridges are meant to be cultural landmarks, doubling as transportation infrastructure combined with civic facilities.
“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. Where nature is enhanced, agriculture is integrated, and tradition is living and breathing, not only preserved but also evolved.”
Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director, BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)
