PROPOSALS FOR ACTION

The Structure Plan proposals are an outcome of the dreams and aspirations of the people of Gelephu. While the planning team believes that planning principles may be either global, or national, the solutions offered are respecting the local context. One must understand that certain projects may be sustainable and be successful, only at specific places. The list of projects mentioned below are specific projects considering Gelephu’s potentials and constraints. Successful implementation of these projects over the next twenty years, which is the plan time horizon, means the success of our Structure Plan.

An Airport for Gelephu has been conceptualized in the mid-1980s. A team of experts from India conducted surveys in Gelephu and the land adjoining the Mao Chhu was endorsed for the development of a regional airport with small aircraft landing, connecting Gelephu with inland areas and the rest of sub-continent. However, times have changed and Gelephu being conceptualized as the ‘Central Gateway to the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan’ it is wise at present to plan this as expandable to an International Airport. This International Airport will open easy access not only within Bhutan but also with the rest of the world. It will serve business persons, executives, and bureaucrats visiting the town and the proposed Jigmeling Industrial Estate. It will facilitate the locals and people from the surrounding region to travel inland and abroad. The airport will be designed to cater to modern aircraft needs and the terminus shall be contained in one of the modern buildings with all support facilities. It would enjoy state-of-art technology and various passenger facilities, contained within open plazas and landscaped areas. The entry to, and exit from, the airport lounge will be connected to the multi-modal transport terminal where buses, passenger trains and taxis will be available for the passengers who wish to travel up north, or to central Bhutan. This shall be at a walkable distance to the rail terminus.

For the purpose of locating the proposed Gelephu International Airport, the earlier identified airstrip in the north-south direction along Mao Chhu, will be a difficult proposal as the mountains arise just behind the air-strip and hence the aircraft will find difficulty in landing if it misses the first attempt. Understanding the problem the Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Information and Communications has identified an alternative location outside the Gelephu Municipal limit between the existing fist and second irrigation canal. The air strip is to be aligned parallel to the irrigation canal in North-East, South-West direction. This location apart from providing strong restriction for the future growth and expansion of the Gelephu town might also face the same problems of possible difficulties in landing as the site along Mao Chhu faced. The Gelephu Structure Plan suggests an alternative location for the airstrip aligning it parallel to the international boundary between Sarpang-Gelephu urban corridors. While technical details towards site selection for the airport are not covered under the scope of the Structure Plan, it requires an expert’s detail study for the task.

However, out of the three proposals the alternative location proposed in the Gelephu Structure Plan has three things in its favor:

planes can take off and land without crossing foreign air space;
the location utilizes the area which would otherwise be kept unused: and,
the location resolves the safety issues which would arise in case of an aborted landing attempt.

One of the basic determinants behind the anticipated growth of Gelephu town is the proposed industrial development at Jigmeling by the Ministry of Trade and Industries, RGoB and the subsequent future development potentials envisioned in the structure plan through declaring the entire region as a Special Economic Development Zone. The present initiatives of the Royal Government of Bhutan toward establishing a railway connection to Gelephu, from the Indian railway network, and developing an international airport in the region is a clear indications of the potentials and magnitudes of development intended in the region, and in the town. For serving the envisioned economic development there will be a crucial need for developing a well equipped Dry Port in the region. Further Gelephu, being the potential

entrance gateway to the southern and central part of Bhutan, all the goods entering the country through this gate will need a transshipment port in the town.

The Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, have realized this need and have already started conceptualizing the construction of a Dry Port in the land owned by them behind the present PWD workshop near the border. Though, the development of a Dry Port in this area will cater to the present and immediate needs, considering the future development potentials of the region, the need for a fully equipped large cargo transshipment port is not far away which needs to be planned today. Further, given the opportunity of future railway and airport development in the region and with the proposed Sibsu-Daipham National Highway passing through the region, the Dry Port in Gelephu could be well conceptualized as a multi-modal cargo handling unit integrating goods movement catalyzed by rail, road and air traffic. The Dry Port of Gelephu would also serve the entire region including Trongsa, Bumthang, Tsirang, Dagana, Wangdue-Phodrang and Zhemgang Dzongkhag.

Considering the magnitude, scale of facilities and the amount of heavy vehicles traffic, which will be generated by the development, it is proposed that the Dry Port be located outside the present Gelephu Municipal boundary. The proposed location by the Department of Revenue and Customs for the development of a Dry Port in a later stage could be converted into a Revenue and Custom check point provided with facilities like high technology inspection chamber, weighing machines and vehicles check posts.

The Dry Port proposed in the Structure Plan will be located to the south-west of the Gelephu town along the Sarpang-Gelephu highway, outside the present Municipal Boundary. The proposed location of this facility outside the town would help in protecting the sanctity and internal life of the town by providing alternative routes for the heavy vehicles reaching the Dry Port from the northern, eastern and western part of the country. Further an alternative bye-pass from the international gate is proposed for the heavy vehicles entering from India, which would meet the Urban Corridor near the Dry Port, thus making the town free from heavy vehicles. This location will also help the facilities to avail of all the services and advantages that the town can provide.

The Dry Port precinct would house a full scale cargo handling unit, a number of warehouses and storage places for different types of activities and items, truck parking terminuses, and other related services. While road access to the Dry Port is from the Gelephu-Sarpang highway, the railway track, and the airport cargo unit, will have a direct access to the shipment yards of the Dry Port. Along with these facilities the Dry Port precinct would also house lodging and boarding facilities for the truck operators. It would have a small residential area for some of the people working in this precinct. This would ensure that the Dry Port precinct would have an even number of people at any given time, thus reducing the security concerns.

The proposed religious development at Fulahari falls under the basic Principles of Intelligent Urbanism, which advocates that urban development should be in balance with tradition. Intelligent Urbanism recognizes the importance of such precincts as it respects the culture and heritage of the place. The Gelephu Structure Plan envisages preparation of a separate ‘Precinct Development Plan’ for the proposed stupa and religious development at Fulahari. The proposed stupa at Fulahari would measure 300 feet in height and 700 feet in diameter, surrounded by 1000 ‘Desheg Chortens’. The proposed stupa would become a landmark in the region for centuries to come and would form an anchor point for the future development in the town and in the region. It shall be constructed for peace and stability of the nation and the entire region. The Gelephu Structure Plan sees Fulahari as a nerve-centre of religious activities. His Highness Je Khempo has visited Fulahari on three consecutive occasions and performed sacred rites.

The proposed precinct development plan would preserve the sanctity of the place with urban design gestures complimenting its religious essence. The new axis of the future development in Gelephu is directed towards the stupa by establishing certain physical view lines. The axis originating from the town and culminating in the stupa site will be defined more boldly within the precinct with the help of a variety of landscape elements. The precinct shall contain residential facilities for the monks, pilgrims and visitors, with meditation halls and open spaces to contemplate spiritualism and religion.

The Structure Plan acknowledges the athletic qualities amongst Bhutanese youth. It is this recognized love and passion for sports that Changlimthang ground still exists in the heart of the capital city of Thimphu.

Bhutan , being a mountainous nation, enjoys little open flat land at a few exceptional places, Gelephu being one of them. It is realized that Gelephu offers an opportunity for constructing a national level Multi-purpose Stadium, with all its associated facilties and services including a sports village. This multi-purpose stadium has been planned near the Aipole Chhu and adjacent to the first irrigation canal where government lands are available. This location has been conceptualized, to integrate the stadium as an important element, with tiers of open space network proposed in the structure plan and later as the town grows; it will become a central breathing space of the town. The location of the stadium away from the town core would also help in pulling future growth towards the north-west of the existing town. This open space, clubbed with institutions like a school and a college will prove efficient, since the proposed stadium could be used by local educational institutions in absence of designated sporting events.

Facilities for sports like football, cricket, track-events, tennis, basketball, etc. will be encouraged. A separate play-hall would house indoor sports like badminton, table tennis, gymnasium, etc. This stadium would hold special events on days of national importance. Lodging facilities for athletes coming from distant places would be provided. Separate practice fields for specific games would be built. It is proposed that a national level physical education college be developed as a part of the stadium complex in the future.

The existing Town Core of Gelephu is the central focus of the present town incorporating commercial, institutional and residential functions. It contains retail shops, the weekly vegetable market, restaurants, lodges, a cinema hall, institutions, banks, residences, etc. This town core needs to be strengthened in terms of basic infrastructure, urban landscape and traffic management. The structure plan proposes that this town core should be developed as an urban hub catering to another decade of town development. Though there is not much potential in terms of new planned areas, the most effective tool for restructuring is ‘Conservative Surgery’. The activity pattern and future needs of the existing town core will be identified and additions/alterations to them would enhance the quality of life of tradesmen, passer-by’s, and most important the residents. It is the densest area in Gelephu. Structures rise above ground and two storeys high with minimal setbacks, resulting in un-hygienic living conditions. The non-availability of established storm water drainage, a sewerage network and sanitation further add to the problem. The overhead electric, telephone and cable lines add to chaos. In the future the town core will still remain the commercial center, and hence image building will be crucial. As the town transforms into a city, this urban hub will take on the character of a wholesale, hardware, and building materials market with up-market retail and entertainment shifting to the new hub.

A few roads inside the core now function as one-way traffic carriers and further thought will be given towards improving the traffic and circulation pattern in the town core. Ample parking spaces need to be carved out. A continuous arcade running along the shop-fronts is conceptualized with wide footpaths on road sides. It must be realized that the urban core is essentially a pedestrian domain and necessary steps towards facilitating this domain must be taken. Government institutions with public relations can become a part of the town core. Cinema halls, cafes, bars, shopping centers, retail shops, tourist lodges, professional offices, banks, public library, assembly/ exhibition halls, gardens, and parks etc. would be encouraged in the town core. Public utilities including drainage, sewerage, water supply and services such as electricity, telephones and cable television will be properly planned. Presently, DANIDA is assisting the local authorities towards improving sanitation conditions and facilities in Gelephu. As a part of the project, an under-ground sewerage system in the town core is planned under high priority amongst all others, which would improve the hygienic condition of the town. Adequate street lighting must be ensured to keep the core precinct safe and accessible during dark hours. It will have a lively night life.

The proposed Royal Boulevard in Gelephu is a strong welcoming gesture from the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan. The existing Trongsa Highway, starting from the Royal Gateway on the International Border uptill the Setikhare Chhu will be the proposed Royal Boulevard of Gelephu. It would be approximately three kilometers in length passing through the entire width of the town. This would be a four lane road with wide footpaths properly shaded with tree plantation with a central planter, which will act as a road divider. The road will be provided with avenue plantations, propose signages, street furniture and other pedestrian facilities to encourage the pleasure of walking.

There will be limited access roads with service parking areas in pockets off of the road. No commercial structures will be allowed to face directly onto the Royal Boulevard and the land uses recommended will be predominantly town level Institutions which are responsible for the provision of public facilities and services in the town with their independent parking spaces. While the Entrance Gate to the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan along the International Boundary forms the southern entry to the Royal Boulevard, it is proposed that the northern entry point to the road from Setikhare Chhu will also be provided with small Entrance Gate, thus welcoming the people coming from Trongsa side. This would also help in providing definite and appropriate, culmination points to the Royal Boulevard.

This twenty-four meters wide road would also serve as a peaceful place for strolling and conviviality in early morning and in the late evening hours. The adjacent institutional open spaces would form a part of the Royal Boulevard and the Urban Village Squares will be connected to the Royal Boulevard through pathways, thus establishing a pedestrian network opening onto the Royal Boulevard. The roads running east-west would open out on the Royal Boulevard only at specific designed junctions.

The Multi-modal Transit Hub is a relatively new concept which emphasis that various transportation modes should be housed within a common campus for easy accessibility and inter-changeability from one mode to another. It avoids doubling up facilities like taxi stands, tourist and hotel counters, immigration and car rentals. For the Public Transit System to become a successful story one of the prime requirements is creating the Multi-modal Transit Hub, so that the citizens have a proper facility and various options to reach the destinations. In the absence of proper interconnectivity and coordination between various public transit systems, citizens are forced to take up private modes of transportation, which have several ill effects. One of the major advantages of the Multi-modal Transit Hub is that at any time of the day one finds one or another mode of transportation to reach the destination. Also, there are economies of scale and longer operating hours to sustain services like banks, ATM, post office, duty free, souvenir shops and coffee shop, which operate below profitable levels at airports, bus stands and a ‘dead end’ rail passenger station.

In Gelephu town such a Multi-modal transit hub is proposed along the Gelephu-Sarpang Corridor which could be easily accessed from all primary roads. This transit hub would consist of a Passenger Railway Station, Airport, Inter-city and Intra-city bus stand, Visitors Centre and Taxi stand. Thus, the citizens and visitors would have a sufficient choice as well as convenience in choosing the desired mode of transportation to reach destinations. The Multi-Mode transit hub apart from functioning as a modern transport terminus, will also form an entrance gate to the town and the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan.

It will have a Visitor's Centre and Rest Area for passengers; ample parking areas for the vehicles of visitors; a bus stand with comfortable buses heading north towards Trongsa, west toward Sarpang and Damphu, and east on the proposed Sibsu-Daipham National Highway. In fact by locating the railway station as a part of the multi-mode transit hub, there can be an interface between the air passengers, bus passengers, railway passengers and taxi passengers. Outsiders arriving by any of these modes can easily change modes and local departing passengers from the region will embark at the same multimode terminus.

These will avoid confusion, frustration and unnecessary movement on the part of residents and visitors alike. Five structures (Air Terminal; Railway Station; Bus Terminus; Taxi Lounge and Visitors' Centre) will define an Atrium Garden which will be a pedestrian hall through which passengers can push their luggage trolleys from one area to the other. The Visitors' Centre and the Taxi Lounge will serve the passenger cars as well as accommodate a commercial cum hospitality hub, with a tourist information centre, ATM, cafes, phone kiosks, convenience and souvenir shops, clean toilets and showers, luggage storage, petrol pump with minor repairs shop, transit hotel and rest areas. It would also house Immigration and Customs offices and necessary security posts.

The creation of this road in Gelephu has a special significance and will play a pivotal role in the envisioned growth of the town in the coming decades. This road apart from providing access to the remote parts of the town will help in pulling the future development of the town away from the International border, where the present development is concentrated. The road will provide dual advantage of improving the security aspects of the town and relieving the existing pressure on the town core from the future development by creating an alternative development magnet in the town.

The road also has a special role to play as a binding and basic structuring element of the future development. The road will form the central focus of the future town and will run along the entire length of the town binding three Urban Village Squares proposed in the Gelephu Structure Plan. Further the road will connect two definite and critical activities in its respective culmination points. The end of the road towards Mao Chhu is assigned with Tourist and Recreation based precincts while the eastern end has the College and National Sports Stadium, which is a part of the future urban hub. This road is intersected at regular intervals by primary and secondary roads of the town, thus making it easily accessible from all corners of the town.

The precinct associated with this road is mainly of commercial nature which would serve the entire town. The road will be twenty four meters wide with wide pedestrian footpaths and road side parking at pockets. The road would have green pockets and reserved places for prayer flags, chortens and prayer wheels along its length. The edge defining buildings of this road would have specific urban design guidelines to follow and attain a definite urban form and a character to the road.

The Gelephu Mao Chhu and Setikhare Chhu pose threats to the Gelephu town. The Mao Chhu is far more fatal than the Setikhare Chhu and has already created serious damages to the settlement twice in the history. Hence for the safety purpose the zones adjacent to these rivers which are in danger of flooding have been marked as a restricted, or controlled, development precinct in the structure plan. The cost of river training along the entire bank of river is prohibitive under the present circumstances. However in the Gelephu Structure Plan certain Town Peripheral roads have been proposed along the river bank which would be a part of the river training programme.

The Peripheral road proposed along the Setikhare Chhu would run close to the bank of the river leaving the necessary river buffer zone, which makes it quite suitable for the development of a long Promenade with avenues of trees. When provided with appropriate street lights and street furniture this would form an integral part of the town green system as well as an escape from the high intensity activities of the urban centre. These would be excellent places for strolling and meeting people in the late evening hours. It is recommended that low density development activity along the 200 meters width of the river should be allowed only after necessary river training work is done.

The aggressive nature of the Mao Chhu should be the major determinant for river training, flood protection and future development along its side. The cost of river training along the entire bank of the river is virtually impossible under the present circumstances. However apart from agricultural usage the Mao Chhu waterfronts can turn out to be active recreational open spaces, characterized by open spaces and activities which are temporary in nature and different from other parks and gardens proposed in Gelephu town. In later stages, after river protection work is carried out, parts of land can be reclaimed and put into recreational uses and development of tourist attractions such as water parks, outdoor restaurants, golf course, etc. The area to the north of the fisheries ponds is an appropriate location for this activity which can also be clubbed with the tourist related facilities and attractions. It can be developed as a base-camp for tourists entering Bhutan. These activities also give alternative development possibilities to the local people within the domain of restricted development area.

The past urban development in Gelephu is basically an outcome of the growing government institutions, their employees and their dependents. It would not be wrong to characterize Gelephu as an important institutional town in the entire region. The present government initiatives of shifting the Dzongkhag Administration headquarter from Sarpang to Gelephu and other institutional developments further reinforces the importance of the town in the regional context. As a result, most of the crucial land parcels, which provide vital connectivity within the town fabric are blocked by high walls and fences in the name of institutional developments. The existing Police compound near the Bhutan Telecom office and the Army establishment within the hospital campus are few such examples. The urban fabric of the town is composed of fragmented bits and parcels of land dominated by walled communities. Overcoming the spatial separation created by this fragmented urban fabric is essential for the success of the Gelephu Structure Plan. This demands strategic and phased shifting of these developments from the municipal limit to its periphery, so that both these functions work in a supplemented manner.

The issue here under discussion is the in-compatible land uses located within the municipal limit. Though these developments help in maintaining the law and order within the urban development, the physical layouts create spatial separations within the urban fabric by occupying huge parcels of land and by creating walled communities. For security reason these areas are restricted from public use. It should be understood that the issue raised here is not about the need of these uses in the town, since they play a vital role in the development of Gelephu town, but it is about physical locations and disaggregated urban fabric.

It is strongly recommended that these incompatible uses, located inside Gelephu, be relocated to the periphery in a phased manner as per the requirement of urban development. The land thus released for development should be used for town level functions and amenities. It should be understood that though the Structure Plan suggests the relocation of the incompatible land uses to the periphery of the municipal limit, if necessary actions towards integrating these areas as a part of the urban fabric, by opening up these areas for development as per the proposed precinct plan, is considered and implemented, these areas could be retained inside the town after verification by competent authorities.