5.0 PROPOSALS FOR ACTION

5.1 INTRODUCTION

The basic principles, themes and the existing scenario have been laid out in the foregoing sections. What follows are the detailed proposals for action which will make the plan operational. This particular section discusses in detail the matters and issues, methods and means which would help in the manifestation of the earlier ‘Principles of Intelligent Urbanism’, the Vision of the Community and the dreams and aspirations of the people. It gives a clear idea of the assumptions, considerations, opportunities and constraints, which molded the Structure Plan, along with appropriate evaluations and possible alternatives.

The Proposals for Action strongly advocate the idea of ‘Precincts’ as against the ‘Land Uses’ used in the western planning system, which specifies zones, restricted for various functions. This has had a counter productive effect of generating dull “gray” areas, with boring mono-functions. The Structure Plan promotes mixed-use development looking at the ‘Dharma’ of Bhutanese life where different phases of life and occupational callings demand their own precincts. These precincts facilitate and promote various activities, and are sanctified as auspicious places for these necessary activities, which make up city life. The precincts assure that the religious functions will not be disturbed by an industrial function, and that residential “house holding” activities will not be disturbed by intensive retailing and wholesaling.

The proposal includes breaking up the vast scale of the town into perceivable designated Urban Villages / Urban Neighborhoods. These Urban Village / Urban Neighborhoods form the basic planning unit of the town, with each focusing on a ‘ Village Square’ (Neighborhood Node), or Urban Hub. Village squares are surrounded by adequate population density to generate the population thresholds needed to support public transit, social amenities, basic services and retail outlets. Apart from the existing urban core, the idea of having a future Urban Hub just outside the western municipal limit is proposed, which would take pressure off the existing Urban Core in the next three decades, and help support the residential areas nearby. Moreover, this town shall surely grow into a city that shall require a modern retailing and entertainment hub.

The proposals for action include the creation of Environmental Enhancement Zones, which respond to issues raised in the existing scenario. The plan reserves and proposes enhancement proposals for all the forest and eco-fragile areas of the town and attempts to preserve these areas for future generations. River training and flood protection are essential for the survival of Gelephu and are seen as an inseparable element of future development. These proposals for action are supported by the creation of an Open Space Network along with the natural environment zones and their appropriate uses like pedestrian walkways linking important destinations, passive and active recreation areas, etc.

The most compelling structural aspect of the plan will be the proposed traffic and circulation system. This proposal lays out a set of movement possibilities including an Urban Corridor, Arterial Roads and Connector Roads with the least possible damage to the existing natural environment. A multi-modal transit hub integrating air, rail and road networks will be created along the proposed urban corridor.

The Structure Plan proposes tourism related and low density development along the river and hill edges.

The religious and cultural importance created in the region by his His Holiness Je Khempo’s prophecy of performing meditation and building a stupa at Fulahari is seen as an anchoring element, nerve centre of the future development in the region and as a unique identity for Gelephu town.

The Structure Plan also sets aside space for social services and amenities, so that future generations will have access to basic health care and educational facilities. The Structure Plan also facilitates the distribution of potable water, electricity and communications networks. It plans for storm water drainage, sewage drainage and solid waste disposal.

The Local Area Plans, which dove-tail into the Structure Plan, are where participation becomes relevant, as this is where the public sector facilitates private initiatives for urban development. Thus, the Local Area Plans will be the outcome of fitting detailed participatory decisions, within more rigid technical “structural plans.” In this way the Structure Plan guides, promotes and facilitates people’s participation in creating their own futures. It ensures that the future is full of beauty, contentment and happiness.

The Structure Plan also recognizes that the town must be planned for people who do not live in it now, and that these future generations have no “voice” in the preparation of the plan. The phasing of growth in association with the Local Area Plans to be developed in the later stages give an opportunity to the future generations to shape their ideas within the broader framework of the Structure Plan. Thus, achieving the Golden Mean of maintaining the overall development structure as well as having a voice for their concerns and place for active participation.

These proposals are the structured aspects of the town, which are not negotiable components of the urban structure, yet they have been proposed based on public consultations and technical consultations with systems managers and engineers, so as to be fitting to the context.