All You Need to Know About Gelephu Mindfulness City
The kingdom of Bhutan is planning to develop a "mindfulness city" covering about 2.5% of its land, which is larger than the size of Singapore.
On December 17th 2023, during the 166th National Day address, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck announced that Gelephu city is set to be an economic hub for Bhutan.
Gelephu Mindfulness City designed by BIG's Landscape and Urban Design Team, will span over 1000 km2 and integrate Bhutanese culture, Gross National Happiness index principles, and spiritual heritage. Located near the India-Bhutan border in Southern Bhutan, the Gelephu Special Administration Region aims to utilize its strategic location to stimulate economic growth and provide opportunities for locals. The plan includes green technology, education, and infrastructure initiatives such as an international airport, railways, a hydroelectric dam, and public spaces. It also incorporates local building styles based on the nine domains of GNH, emphasizing well-being, health, education, and cultural diversity.
Intergrating Natural Ecosystems and Communities
Surrounded by mountains, forests, and rivers, Bhutan boasts rich biodiversity, with 70% of its land covered in forest. The Mindfulness City seeks to enhance this natural wealth by creating interconnected ecosystems and lively neighborhoods. Inspired by the flow of 35 rivers and streams, the city's design features ribbonlike neighborhoods resembling paddy fields, cascading terraces from hills to valleys. The city's density gradually increases from rural to urban areas, facilitating a smooth transition between different living environments.
Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director of BIG, envisions Gelephu as a city rooted in Bhutanese nature and culture, embodying growth and innovation. Shaped by waterways, Gelephu connects nature and people, past and future, local and global, with inhabitable bridges serving as cultural landmarks and transportation infrastructure.
"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. Shaped by waterways, Gelephu becomes a land of bridges, connecting nature and people, past and future, local and global. Like the traditional Dzongs, these inhabitable bridges turn into cultural landmarks, doubling as transportation infrastructure combined with civic facilities. Among these, the Sankosh Temple-Dam embeds the city’s fundamental values into a cascading landscape of steps and landings, that like a 21st century Tigers Nest will be a manmade monument to the divine possibility of a sustainable human presence on earth. Turning engineering into art and turning the forces of nature into power." - Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group
Gelephu's Masterplan
The natural features and existing infrastructure, alongside agriculture and utilities, naturally give rise to eleven distinct neighborhoods within the expansive 1000+ km2 area of Gelephu. Each of these neighborhoods is meticulously designed according to the Mandala principles, characterized by repeating typologies arranged symmetrically around a central public space. A gradual transition in density is observed, starting from scattered small buildings in the northern region to more substantial urban structures in the south.
To safeguard against monsoon-related flooding, paddy fields will be established along the rivers and tributaries of the site, running from north to south. These fields will also serve as corridors for local flora and fauna, ensuring the undisturbed migratory routes of elephants and other wildlife.
“Inspired by the Bhutanese culture of respect and compassion for others and nature, the Mindfulness City is designed to enhance ecological systems, through an urban development that connects flora and fauna, as well as people and ideas. It becomes a testament of humanity's inseparable bond with nature, and a global example of how to build a sustainable human presence on Earth.” - Giulia Frittoli, Partner in Charge, BIG Landscape, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group
The city's neighborhoods, separated by rivers, are connected by three primary mobility links, which also serve as transportation infrastructure and civic and cultural facilities. These links form a series of "inhabitable bridges," tailored to each of the nine domains of Gross National Happiness.
Each bridge hosts significant destinations within the city, including the new airport, a Vajrayana spiritual center offering insights into the daily practices of monks and mindfulness masters, a healthcare center blending Eastern and Western medicine, a university showcasing academic activities, a hydroponic and aquaponic greenhouse displaying ancient farming practices and modern agro-science, a cultural center educating visitors about Bhutanese culture and customs, and a market featuring Bhutanese textiles.
The Gelephu International Airport during the salhang tendrel (groundbreaking ceremony), attended by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Dec 23, 2023.
The final bridge, a hydroelectric dam, will be erected on the city's western border, featuring a step-well retaining wall with viewpoints, meditative staircases, and a temple. Visitors can ascend and descend along various pathways to reach the visitor center and temple nestled on the manmade cliff. The Sankosh Temple-Dam symbolizes the harmonious coexistence of culture and nature, embodying Bhutan's rich past heritage and promising future legacy.
Streets within the city are designed for intimacy, paved with permeable materials to allow stormwater to seep into the ground rather than burdening the sewage system. New constructions will utilize local materials such as wood, stone, and bamboo, inspired by vernacular motifs like rabsel, cornices, ornaments, and roofscapes.
Video of Gelephu Mindfulness City
Gelephu Mindfulness City Project Info:
Name: Gelephu Mindfulness City
Architects: Bjarke Ingels Group | @bjarkeingels
Collaborators: Arup | @arupgroup, Cistri
Area: more than 1000 km2
location: Gelephu, The Kingdom of Bhutan
Client: The Kingdom of Bhutan
Partners-in-charge: Bjarke Ingels, Giulia Frittoli
Project manager: Nanna Gyldholm Møller
Design lead: Dace Gurecka
Team: Anastasiia Golub, Filip Radu, Giancarlo Albarello Herrera, Krisha Arunkumar, Marius Tromholt-Richter, Matthew Goodwill, Monika Dauksaite, Sophie Høg, Xian Chen, Xu Lian
Visualizations: Brick Visual, Atchain, BIG
Animation: Squint/Opera & Brick Visual
All images and video in this article are by Brick Visual, Atchain, BIG.
Update: 16 June 2024
Gautam Adani, the chairman of Adani Group and the second richest Indian, met with Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk on Sunday, 16 June. During the meeting, Adani unveiled a master plan for the Gelephu Mindfulness City, which includes the establishment of large computing centers and data facilities. Adani confirmed this development in a late-night post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday.
Update: 2 October 2024
Key Leaders Appointed for GMC
His Majesty the King has appointed Mun Leong Liew as CEO to lead the innovative Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) in the nation’s Special Administrative Region. His Majesty, who serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors (BOD) for Mindfulness City, simultaneously appointed Liew to the BOD along with Joichi "Joi" Ito, Yee Ean Pang, Seow Hiang Lee, Arun Kapur, and Lauren Chung. Additional appointments to the Mindfulness City BOD will be announced soon.
His Majesty also named Ito as Chairman of the Gelephu Investment Development Corporation (GIDC).
With decades of global expertise, these leaders will collaborate with Bhutanese colleagues and international partners to position GMC as a model of mindful development, integrating advanced infrastructure with Bhutanese values to foster sustainable, transformative growth.
Announced by His Majesty in December 2023, GMC is envisioned as a global economic hub that redefines fundamental concepts of economic and social development.
Mun Leong Liew, leveraging his extensive experience in leading international investment and development projects, will helm the initiative. With a proven track record in urbanization, infrastructure, and airport development, Liew has successfully overseen groundbreaking projects across global markets in leadership roles with CapitaLand, Changi Airport, and Surbana Jurong Group.
As the founding president and CEO of CapitaLand Group, Liew expanded the company’s market capitalization to USD 12 billion and extended its presence to more than 20 countries, establishing it as Southeast Asia’s largest real estate group. His leadership at Changi Airport Group contributed to the creation of the internationally renowned Jewel Changi Airport, among other major developments.
These achievements position Liew to guide GMC’s strategic vision, infrastructure initiatives, and global investments. A key element of his leadership will be capacity building, particularly in developing Bhutanese talent for future leadership roles within the Gelephu Mindfulness City team.
Reflecting on his appointment, Liew stated, "I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with this leadership role and thrilled to build the team that will bring Gelephu Mindfulness City to life. This project will redefine sustainable urban living, and I am eager to collaborate with a diverse team of bright, passionate professionals to realise His Majesty’s vision. Together, we will create a truly unique city that embodies Bhutanese values while shaping the future of mindful economic growth."
Joichi "Joi" Ito has simultaneously taken on the role of Chairman of GIDC. Ito will collaborate with both Bhutanese and international counterparts to facilitate investment and economic growth in Gelephu Mindfulness City SAR, as well as other regions of Bhutan and globally. His responsibilities will include enhancing digital connectivity for the Mindfulness City and the Kingdom, as well as promoting investment in green energy sources like hydropower and solar energy. In parallel, GIDC will foster the growth of technology industries, utilizing carbon-free power to support data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) companies.
Ito’s extensive experience in the technology sector qualifies him well for this role. As the current President of Chiba Institute of Technology and former Director of the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he has been at the forefront of research and development in areas such as green energy, AI, web3, and blockchain. His involvement with The Digital Society Council of Japan’s Digital Agency and international organizations like The Mozilla Foundation and The Electronic Privacy Information Center further expands the network he brings to this project.
Commenting on his appointment, Ito remarked, "Gelephu Mindfulness City and the Kingdom of Bhutan are trailblazers in environmentally responsible and mindful development based on abundant green energy sources; entrepreneurs pushing boundaries in areas such as AI, blockchain, and drone development; and a commitment to harnessing technology to improve the human condition."
Yee Ean Pang joins the BOD with a distinguished record in greenfield and infrastructure development across Asia, managing a USD 6 billion portfolio with a strong focus on renewable energy. As the founder and director of Urbina Capital, former CEO of Surbana Jurong Capital, and Director General of Operations at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, his expertise will align Gelephu’s development with triple sustainability investment strategies, ensuring economic, social, and environmental responsibility.
Seow Hiang Lee, former CEO of Changi Airport Group, brings unparalleled insights into urban development and international connectivity to the BOD. Having led Changi Airport to global recognition as the World’s Best Airport on multiple occasions, his deep understanding of the interaction between government and the private sector in driving infrastructure development and economic growth will be critical in establishing Gelephu Mindfulness City as a competitive regional economic hub.
Arun Kapur, who spearheaded the creation of the Druk Gyalpo’s Institute (DGI) in Paro, Bhutan, offers a wealth of knowledge in training and education systems. He will be instrumental in upskilling Bhutanese talent to assume leadership roles in both public and private institutions within the Mindfulness City. Kapur’s previous leadership roles with top schools in India, including as Principal of The British School and Headmaster of Vasant Valley School in New Delhi, as well as his role as Executive Director of Learn Today, have prepared him well for this challenge.
Lauren Chung, Asia Pacific CEO of Teneo, a global CEO advisory firm, contributes valuable expertise in international relations and communication strategies to the BOD. As a trusted advisor to corporate boards, CEOs, investors, governments, and civil society leaders, she has helped clients navigate economic, geo-strategic, regulatory, media, technological, and environmental changes. Chung will provide essential guidance on communications infrastructure and skills development to support the City’s global stakeholder engagement.
These new appointees attended the opening session of the Bhutan Innovation Forum on October 1, 2024 in Paro, Bhutan, where Bjarke Ingels, founding partner and creative director of Bjarke Ingels Group, presented the concept masterplan for GMC.
Together, these leaders in development, technology, and education will establish the foundation for GMC to emerge as a global model of economic and social development that harmonizes with both human spirit and the environment. As Bhutan embarks on this visionary journey, it continues to seek like-minded, visionary professionals to join this pioneering initiative, ushering in a new era of growth and mindfulness for the Kingdom and beyond.
GMC to Implement Singaporean Law as its Primary Legal Framework for Governance
The Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) will adopt Singaporean law as its primary legal framework to establish a strong foundation for governing various sectors in the Special Administrative Region (SAR) envisioned by His Majesty the King.
Ben Gaw, the managing director of legal affairs for GMC, stated that while the core legal structure will draw from Singaporean law, the GMC will also incorporate international best practices to create a comprehensive system. As a new city, GMC aims to foster business growth while ensuring solid legal processes.
Gaw explained that creating entirely new laws could lead to public confusion, and since Singaporean law is a globally recognized framework, it is a more accessible choice for residents and businesses. "Many countries have adopted these laws, which will make GMC a secure place for businesses," he said, emphasizing the importance of a strong legal foundation.
In Phase 1, the focus will be on business regulations and legal processes to ensure safe and compliant operations. Civil and criminal laws will also be established to promote law-abiding behavior among residents and businesses.
As GMC expands, Phase 2 will introduce a tailored legal code, including arbitration and specialized areas, developed in consultation with the business community. Gaw added that the legal framework must align with societal aspirations, ensuring that laws meet the needs of the populace while promoting economic growth.
As a business hub, GMC will also prioritize eco-friendly regulations, including those related to tax, customs, and duties, to create a sustainable environment for businesses and residents.
Former Prime Minister Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, a core member of the GMC project, highlighted that while Gelephu has the authority to create its own regulations, leveraging proven frameworks from other nations will save time and simplify the process. "We don’t need to waste time explaining the rules since they are already in practice elsewhere," he explained.
However, he acknowledged that the legal framework will evolve to meet the city's changing needs over time. GMC aims to create a modern, flexible legal system that fosters innovation and growth, ensuring the city thrives as a business and innovation hub.
