24/12/2023
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
The King of Bhutan has announced plans for a new economic hub immersed in nature and designed by architecture firms Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Arup, and Cistri.
Referred to as the Mindfulness City, the masterplan for the future Gelephu Special Administration Region (SAR) is informed by Bhutanese culture and its strong spiritual heritage, as well as the country's Gross National Happiness (GNH)* index.
The goal is for the SAR to lay the foundation for the countryβs future growth and create economic opportunities for its citizens through investments in green technology, education and infrastructure.
While presenting the vision during the country's 116th National Day address, King Wangchuck described the future city as an "economic corridor connecting South Asia with Southeast Asia via Indiaβs northeastern States".
Realised by BIGβs Landscape and Urban Design Team, the masterplan includes a Vajrayana spiritual center, an international airport, railway connections, a hydroelectric dam, public spaces and a language for local building typologies, based on the nine domains of GNH.
