Righting the wrongs

The new upcoming Thimphu Design Code as a part of the new Thimphu Structure Plan is an important change and rights many wrongs with urban development.

In the past few decades, even for all the planning, Thimphu had a rapid and chaotic growth and this is visible when one drives into Thimphu either from the Expressway or the Lungtenphu highway.

The capital city looks like a concrete jungle of box shaped buildings everywhere.

When you drive in more you cannot distinguish so called residential areas from commercial areas as there are everything from bars to hotels there.

The city also does not have enough green space or public areas where families and people can go for leisure. The Ludrung Park and Changyul park are most welcome Royal contributions that offers some relief.

When one takes a look at the steep Changbangdhu slope one wonders who so many high-rise buildings were allowed there and the associated risks of landslides and earthquakes.

Thimphu is home to many Bhutanese and while people are glad to come home, one feels like one is driving into an almost claustrophobic concrete jungle.

Thimphu may be the capital city but it sorely lacks the sense of community and also a sense of collective ownership.

Also, while we watch more intense natural disasters every year driven by climate change and our own recent flashflood, we wonder if our city is ready for the extreme weathers and enhanced natural disasters of the future.

We all know that our region is due for the big one in earthquake terms and we wonder how some of the very tall buildings will hold up.

The Thimphu Design Code in that sense addresses all of the above concerns and more.

Yes, there will be some pain for some as built-up areas go down in certain areas but this is for the greater good and it will be for the well being and safety of those very areas and structures.

The only criticism of the design code is that it should have come 2 decades ago and it would have made a bigger impact, but better late than never and moreover this will be for the decades ahead.

An area that needs to be considered is that the setback being measured from the balcony or Rabsel walls could discourage balconies (which is where most residents get sunlight and fresh air) and hamper traditional features.

“The one thing that all great cities have in common is that they are all different.”
Cate Blanchett