There is a great deal of slow, but nevertheless continual “eating” into the hillsides above the city. There should be a zone beyond the Forest Boundary where the development is regulated to protect the greenery and soil. The trees, soil and natural aquifer system are protecting the city from landslides, acting as a natural air filter and providing a beautiful urban backdrop. Where there are buildable flatlands behind the upper slopes, as one finds in the southern part of the city, very low-density estates can be created, with apple orchards and other “green” activities. But along the steep slopes above the city rim, no development at all should be allowed. A view spot will be developed at the Radio Tower and a sky lift may be envisioned to take people to a high viewpoint over looking Thimphu Valley.

2.18 KNOWLEDGE CITY

One of the nodes along the City Spine should be reserved as a Knowledge City. The Knowledge City would house a number of related activities, which are essential to the country’s development. The central offices of the National University of Bhutan could be a central feature. While the university would have its colleges spread over the country, the headquarters would be located here. It is important that the country build up it’s own intelligentsia. Some of these people are already located in the National Archives, in the Center for Bhutan Studies, in the Royal Institute of Management and in the government services themselves, in the national media, amongst other agencies and institutions. In the near future a few institutions may emerge and these could be housed in the Knowledge City. Such advanced academicians and scholarly people usually like to be near to the nerve center of the nation.

There may be unique opportunities for Bhutan to engage in highly scientific corporate activities, which can also employ large numbers of semi-skilled graduates. A number of biogenetic laboratories may choose Thimphu as a location if they are provided the facilities. Or, the government itself may wish to promote a public sector enterprise in the area of bio-genetics. This public initiative could give a fillip to other biotech ventures. Laboratories producing and reproducing hybrid seed cultures and specialized hybrid engineering products would be well suited to the climate. There could be a labour pool developed here in Bhutan to sustain such activities. This could be a major export opportunity. A modest Information Technology training institute may also be set up in this area. While one enters such a discussion with a great deal of caution, we would be foolish not to measure the country’s opportunities and potentials in this area. Even a company like Microsoft could consider setting up a highly specialized unit here, from which an entire chain of possibilities would spin off. Just as it would be wrong to base a plan on the assumption that such an event would take place, it would also be foolish to rule out such opportunities.

2.19 SOCIAL SERVICES

Health care and education are essential services, which the nation provides to its subjects. The level of services and the coverage has been increasing steadily. As is often the case, the gaps and lacunae are often found where the services are the most developed …in the cities. There is also a contradiction of patients going to high-level medical facilities, which should be acting only as specialized referral facilities. For example, City Clinics are needed in neighborhoods and land must be provided for them. In fact such facilities give a raison de etre for Neighborhood Nodes, where a range of facilities can be clustered. Amongst these are the crèches and nursery schools. Several neighborhoods will be needed to jointly support sophisticated primary schools, probably near an Urban Hub.
At the city level one high school and one junior college should be adequate. There should also be vocational schools and colleges.

There are many other social services and facilities which require space and which will come up over the next decade. Examples are the Bhutan Olympic Committee’s plans for sports facilities, a youth center and other facilities. These may have to be located beyond the present boundary.