The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Minister of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT), Chandra Bdr Gurung, during the 19th Meet-the-Press on 29th August 2025 said the Thimphu Structure Plan (TSP) 2023 was developed to directly address the capital’s key challenges and guide future growth and transformation, while preparing for population growth, rising urbanization pressures, and the need for a modern transport backbone.
Lyonpo Chandra Bdr Gurung said the new plan is designed to promote compact, well-managed growth within the existing city footprint, supported by regeneration and densification, rather than unchecked outward sprawl.
Area types and land-use designations have been refined to strategically place housing, workplaces, public facilities, and open spaces in line with population catchments, while restricting development in geohazard-prone and environmentally sensitive zones.
To respond to rapid urbanization, the TSP introduces a ‘Centres Hierarchy’ to distribute jobs, homes, and services more evenly, thereby reducing the concentration of pressure on the city core.
Tailored design guidelines for neighborhoods will enhance their character, livability, and identity, covering built form, public spaces, and heritage conservation. The approach, MoIT said, ensures that growth not only accommodates demand but also fosters resilience, inclusivity, and community identity.
On mobility, the TSP 2023 prioritizes public transport as the backbone of urban mobility. Measures include new pedestrian routes to boost walkability, dedicated public transport corridors with modern infrastructure, and the development of a Regional Transit Hub and a Distribution & Logistics Hub.
The plan designates Doebum Lam as the city’s primary north-south corridor, while proposing mobility improvements along Norzin Lam to transform it into a vibrant, people-friendly core.
Junction upgrades, better parking management, and the relocation of surface parking to central hubs are also included to ease congestion.
TSP 2023 provides a comprehensive framework to achieve compact and sustainable population management, balanced neighborhood development to handle urban pressures, and a strong, efficient public transport system as the foundation of Thimphu’s future.
The vision is to ensure Thimphu evolves into a resilient, inclusive, and livable city for generations to come.
