3.1.3 Demographical Characteristics
In 1986, the first Urban Development Plan for Gelephu town was prepared by National Urban Development Corporation (NUDC) in association with United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat). For this reason population surveys were conducted in Gelephu during 1984 and 1986 by NUDC. The observed population count was 4,844 and 5,167 souls with an average occupancy rate of 4.62 and 4.69 people per household respectively. The population growth was estimated to be 9,053 souls by the end of 2000 with 5% annual growth rate.
As a precursor to the preparation of the Structure Plan for Gelephu, a pre-feasibility study was carried out jointly by DUDES (MoW&HS) and the Gelephu Municipality in January 2003. As per this report the population of Gelephu for the year 2002 was estimated to be 12,398 souls. A sample size of 2.1% of the total population was covered for studying the current trends and demographical aspects. The analysis of the data collected by DUDES (MoW&HS) is used as base data for the entire planning process. The average household size of Gelephu is calculated to be 3.6 persons per household. The male to female ratio is 1.07 and about 50% of the population ranges in age group between 18 and 45. About 26% have their own housing while 58% are tenants and 8% stay in government provided housing. About 5% of the households in the Sarpang Dzongkhag are headed by woman. The literacy rate of Gelephu is around 55%, with 40% studying till higher secondary level. The average household income is about Nu. 9,081 per month, while the average income per person is about Nu. 2,522 per month. 20% of the population are civil servants, 12% of the population are engaged in business while 28% form the student population. The town also houses considerable amount of police and army personnel.
3.1.4 Base Map
The Base Map of any city defines the “playing field” upon which, an urban plan is prepared. It shows contours (which have been transposed to a dedicated display in the attached drawing), water bodies, roads, existing structures and the municipal boundaries. In this case semi-permanent structures, temporary structures, off-street footpaths, electrical substations, and some other elements have also been shown.
The Gelephu Base Map provides an urban footprint of what has historically preceded. It indicates, at a glance, where densification is the highest and where it is lowest. It is a historical record of the situation now, as well as a benchmark against which future dimensions, physical plans and events shall be measured in the future years to come. The Base Map gives an idea of the constraints that impede the process of development.
The existing roads and footpaths hint at a hidden structure, which must be imbibed into the city’s future plan. Major roads like the Trongsa highway, the Gelephu-Sarpang Highway, Losal Lam, Phendey Lam, Gaden Lam, Norkhil Lam, and so on, have already set a fabric over the topography, which is solidified further by property boundaries and structures which have been constructed within them. One cannot ignore this fabric, which may have evolved organically from footpaths and later jeep tracks. But even in what appear to be ad hoc and incremental decisions, one can discern some fundamental logic, which must be distilled into a new rationale. Many of these constraints can be exploited as potentials and opportunities. The variety of forests, vegetation, paddy fields, arcanut trees and all begin to catalyze one’s imagination.
Apart from roads, plot boundaries and structures, the city already has established gathering places such as the lively Sunday Market, the Tsewang Goempa and the evening “gathering tradition” opposite Losal Cinema and along the footpaths, a sociometry is already emerging. All towns begin to mature into separate and distinct “districts” over a period of time. This has already happened in Gelephu, which is apparent from the Base Map. There is the bustling Urban Core focused on Losal Lam and the Cinema house. There is the institutional block near hospital. There are sparse residences along the Trongsa highway towards the north.
These urban zones also have “edges” and boundaries. Sometimes they are urban zones where the Mao Chhu plays the “edge,” or more subtle where a road, like Phendey Lam, separates the Town Core from institutional block. The Base Map is our first trace of an emerging structure. It is a vast canvas, yet there lies within it a fundamental taxonomy and order.
Thus, the base map carries the fabric and the language of the city within its pattern.
