The following article was published in LA, Journal of Landscape Architecture | 2024 [4] | Issue #80
The structure plan for Thimphu by Prof. Christopher Benninger began in the year 2001. It was centralized around creating one of the first environment-friendly habitats in the world. The planning was based on a detailed assessment of topography, slopes, hydrology, biodiversity, avifauna, flora and human habitat. Rather than following a Cartesian grid, the developed layout organically fits within the contours of Thimphu's valley.
Existing scenario:
Through intensive research, two issues were identified; one that involved the preservation of the natural environment like the valley, its biodiversity and the Wang Chhu River. Second was the built environment of the town. The town faced unserviceable, fragmented and low-density developments which led to spotty growth. This was because of two ruling issues:
1. Density of human settlements: The city had too many scattered communities with irregular densities. Most of these were too small to independently support any system.
2. Distance: These scattered settlements were too far apart to allow efficient linkage with any city-level infrastructure networks.
From village to capital:
The new capital plan of Thimphu proposes a unique set of civil principles which guide urban growth, planning and urban management over the coming century through an approach called "Intelligent Urbanism." The Principles of Intelligent Urbanism is a theory of urban planning composed of a set of ten axioms by Prof. Christopher Benniger, intended to guide the formulation of city plans and urban designs. Its first principle, a balance with Nature, promotes environmental assessments to identify fragile zones, threatened ecosystems and habitats which can be enhanced through conservation, density control, land use planning and open space design. All of these parameters were studied and implemented in the new plan.
Planning for Nature:
Thimphu is a humble city nestled into the world's most significant range of mountains. Ecologically fragile zones were identified, and seasonal bird habitats were demarcated. The interrelations between various natural resource systems were analyzed and the impact of various development options was developed largely around the protection of the new capital city's rich ecosystems.
The Wang Chhu River and its streams were protected by designing a promenade along its edges, with a jogging track and cycle path. A contour line was identified, running above and around the city, along which a paved path and picnic spots were placed. This pedestrian loop demarcated the city below it from the no-build zones on the steeper and higher slopes above it. Here, urbanisation envisions to be in balance with nature.
Planning for People:
The second theme of the plan was to concentrate growth in Urban Villages. Each was centred around a Village Square that had an express bus stop, a crèche, a medical shop, a café, a gym and other amenities. Ground plus three or four-storied walk-up apartments are clustered near the Village Squares, and the lower densities area spread off with cycle tracks to reach lower-density cottages. These urban villages nestle around an Urban Corridor that becomes the service path of the city. This corridor would have space to accommodate trunk sewerage pipes and electrical and water supply lines.
Urban cores were defined in the system to connect markets and retail spaces. Urban precincts were identified based on the typology and use of the building. For example, workshops and godowns are gathered into a specific type of precinct. The idea was to separate non-conforming uses while encouraging mixed uses, which would have their own unique development control rules.
Conclusion:
The planning for Thimphu takes on a character of epic proportions and can be used as a model for other small towns and cities spread across the foothills of the Himalayas. Unlike other mountain cities that have now evolved into chaotic bazaars, the structure planning of Thimphu aims to guide future developments rather than follow them. Its layout paves the way for planning green cities in Asia by respecting the carrying capacity of the land, protecting fragile water edges, honouring biodiversity areas and planning in response to environmental assessments. Projects of city planning scale are implemented over decades (depending on the size, availability of resources, economic growth etc). The Thimphu structure plan follows suit and is envisioned to be completely functional in 35 years. The proposed structure plan for the city was sanctioned along with a policy-driven urban management plan. Two local area plans were implemented by CCBA Designs with the rest occurring in phases.
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