Rethinking the form and function of modern cities, the Kingdom of Bhutan is planning to create a Mindfulness City near Gelephu. The upcoming city aims to be an economic hub and a gateway for tourists into Bhutan, all while prioritising well-being at its core.
Gelephu is an important border crossing for Indians, contrasting with other international tourists who enter Bhutan via the Paro International Airport in the capital, Thimphu. Much like Saudi Arabia‘s planned city called The Line, Gelephu’s Mindfulness City will also redefine how advanced cities serve their residents.
Gelephu Mindfulness City: Concept and planning
A low to mid-rise metropolis built around inhabitable bridges, the Gelephu Mindfulness City will be situated in a special administrative region in South Bhutan. Its ethos is inspired by the country’s globally acclaimed Gross National Happiness Philosophy.
In terms of construction and layout, each bridge will house a facility or feature of the city. This includes a new international airport, a cultural centre, a spiritual centre, a hydroponic greenhouse, a hydroelectric dam, a university, a dedicated health-care unit for Eastern and Western medicine, and a market for local goods.
Additionally, the splendid Sankosh Temple-Dam will feature a series of staircases leading tourists to a beautiful, elevated temple. Designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group, the Mindfulness City in Bhutan will have eleven ‘ribbon neighbourhoods’ that incorporate the region’s 35 streams and rivers. With a repeated architectural layout created around a central public space, the design of each residential unit will reflect mandalas.
Also, to protect against flooding, paddy fields will be created in the Mindfulness City along the rivers. This will also provide additional benefits like creating a biodiversity corridor for flora and fauna, as well as preserving the migratory paths of elephants and other wildlife.
In terms of project progress, the construction of the new airport and dry port has already commenced. However, there is no confirmation on the completion date yet.
(Featured Image Credit: @brickvisual/Instagram)
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