Urban planning in Bhutan addresses the challenges of rapid urbanization in a country with limited habitable land. Thimphu, the capital, has grown from a small town to a city of over 100,000 while trying to maintain traditional architectural character.
Overview
National spatial planning in Bhutan is guided by the National Land Use Zoning (NLUZ) framework, a comprehensive system for managing and optimising land resources across the country. Initiated during the 11th Five-Year Plan and continued into the 12th, NLUZ designates zones for agriculture, residential areas, conservation, and industrial use based on suitability and national priorities.[1]
Vision 2034
The National Land Commission Secretariat (NLCS) has adopted the vision of a "Spatially Enabled Nation with Par Excellence Land Governance by 2034" — integrating geospatial technologies into governance and excelling in land management systems. The initiative includes mainstreaming High Conservation Values (HCVs) into the NLUZ framework.[2]
Urban-Rural Development
Bhutan has declared 20 autonomous district municipalities and 20 satellite municipalities to address rural-urban migration and regional development imbalances. The National Human Settlement Policy and Spatial Planning Standards provide frameworks for balanced settlement growth.[3]
Technical Infrastructure
The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) serves as a unified platform for geospatial data, developed by NLCS with JICA support.[2]
References
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