Wangdue Phodrang Town Relocation

The Wangdue Phodrang town relocation refers to the shift of the administrative and commercial center of Wangdue Phodrang District from the old settlement clustered near Wangdue Phodrang Dzong to the new planned town of Bajo (also known as Bajothang), located approximately four kilometers to the north. The relocation was driven by the physical constraints of the original town site and the need for modern administrative infrastructure, but the resulting urban design of the new town has attracted significant criticism.

The Old Town

The original Wangdue Phodrang settlement developed near the dzong, which was founded in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. According to local tradition, the Zhabdrung named the dzong after encountering a boy named Wangdi playing by the river, hence "Wangdi's Palace." The old town grew along the east-west lateral highway, taking advantage of trade along the route. However, the settlement consisted primarily of temporary, shack-like structures built closely together without proper infrastructure. The narrow ridge site adjacent to the dzong offered very limited space for expansion.^[1]

The dzong itself has a long history of damage and rebuilding. It was affected by a fire in 1837 and an earthquake in 1897. On June 24, 2012, the dzong was almost completely destroyed by fire, reportedly caused by a faulty electrical water heater. Because renovation work was underway at the time, most of the historical relics had been put into storage and were saved. Reconstruction, funded by the Government of India, was completed around 2022–2023.^[2]

Reasons for Relocation

The decision to relocate the town center was driven by several factors:

• Space constraints: The original site on the ridge near the dzong had no room for the construction of new government offices, commercial buildings, or residential areas needed for a growing district headquarters.
• Infrastructure deficiencies: The old settlement lacked proper roads, water supply, sanitation, and other modern infrastructure, and the terrain made retrofitting impractical.
• Administrative needs: As a district headquarters, Wangdue Phodrang required space for government offices, courts, schools, hospitals, and other institutional buildings.
• Resident appeals: Residents of the old town themselves appealed to the Royal Government to identify a new town site with better facilities and growth potential.

Development of Bajo

The new town area was identified at Bajothang, situated on relatively flat terrain above the Punatsangchhu river and adjacent to agricultural land. The site was approximately four kilometers north of the old town and a 30-minute drive from Punakha. Bajo was developed as a planned township following a grid layout, with designated zones for government offices, commercial establishments, and residential buildings.^[3]

The town's growth was accelerated by the Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project, one of Bhutan's largest infrastructure undertakings, which brought a significant temporary workforce and associated service economy to the area. Many of the early tenants and businesses in Bajo were connected to the hydropower project.

Criticism of Urban Planning

Despite its functional purpose, Bajo has attracted substantial criticism for its urban design. The town has been described as "a chessboard of uninspired, concrete blocks" that is "totally devoid of any charm or character." Unlike many Bhutanese towns that incorporate traditional architectural elements mandated by national building codes, Bajo's rapid development resulted in utilitarian buildings that critics say lack the aesthetic quality typically associated with Bhutanese settlements.^[4]

The town's planning challenges have been significant enough that Bajo has been used as a case study in Bhutanese urban planning education, where students are asked to analyze its problems and recommend improvements. Issues cited include:

• Monotonous architectural design lacking traditional Bhutanese character
• Inadequate public spaces and pedestrian facilities
• High rental costs relative to local incomes, with some shopkeepers reporting that rent consumed a large portion of their earnings
• Limited attention to aesthetic and cultural considerations in the initial planning phase

Current Status

Bajo is now the fully established administrative headquarters of Wangdue Phodrang District, housing the Dzongkhag Administration offices, schools, a hospital, commercial areas, and residential neighborhoods. The town serves as the primary commercial center for both Wangdue Phodrang and Punakha districts. The Bajo Sunday Market, held weekly, is the main agricultural trading event for the surrounding valleys. As of the 2017 census, the Wangdue Phodrang town area recorded a population of 8,954.

The old town near the dzong continues to exist but in a diminished capacity, with most administrative and commercial functions having shifted to Bajo. The reconstruction of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong has renewed some attention to the old town area, but Bajo remains the primary urban center of the district.

See Also

• Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
• Bajo Sunday Market
• Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project

References

1. Wangdue Phodrang — Wikipedia
2. Bhutan grieves for destroyed historic site — CNN
3. Bajo Town in Wangdue Phodrang — HeavenlyBhutan
4. Bajothang — Wikivoyage