"If we succeed, we can show that you can create a city that does not displace nature, that is anchored and rooted in the local heritage and culture, and that still allows for prosperity and growth to happen." — 60 Minutes
The ever-popular Ingels sat down with Lesley Stahl to go over his team's vision for the project they first unveiled with Arup almost a year ago. The 386-square-mile master plan's design features many public buildings and other important infrastructure that double as bridges, unfolding in the shape of a Mandala flower, which hosts 11 neighborhood-scale developments rendered with increased density as they cascade in ribbons down to a low-lying southern terminus.
Bhutan, a nation of under 800,000 people, is struggling to retain skilled young professionals. A public bond campaign worth $100 million USD has just been launched for the project. According to the South China Morning Post and other outlets, the new 'Gelephu Mindfulness City' will be developed in phases over 21 years.
5 Comments
When BIG announced their plan it looked amazing but it was hard to understand what it was all about. The video answers a lot and says a lot.
It is impressive that BIG is doing the work, and telling that a lot of the ideas built into their projects til now put them in a position to be believable with the aim to combine culture, sustainability and development.
Quite often put down for cynical showboating and declared not enough for what ever project they work on, I cant think of many offices capable of doing this work seriously without relying on hi-tech metaphor, even in our post-post-modern age.
Whether it works or not is a big question mark, as with all things this size and ambition. Comparing to the new capital in Egypt or the creation of Brasilia or Chandigarh, or the NEOM projects it is already standing on firmer ground. Koolhaas wrote about the death of urban planning as an act of serious thinking about 25 years ago. Maybe it is coming back?
Not sure if Bhutan needs this, though. Not all places need to have rampant development to exist and thrive
Personally, I'm looking forward to the post-post-post modern age.
well sameold did you watch the video? Its not about Bjarke, its about why Bhutan feels the need to develop and their desire to get there without the bullshit that self-serving development usually brings. So, its an experiment and it seems to be the opposite of rampant. Prompted by a young king watching his young citizens leave for places where they can earn more and deciding the answer is to make his country as attractive economically as Australia. I find it inspiring.
And I am sick of the cynic train that just gave the world four more years of you know who. Time to be better and act better, no? Eyes open, yes, but negative when there is no need for it seems a bit the wrong move now more than ever.
I admit I haven't watched the video, but I do know about the project and about Bhutan (I am from a neighboring country) hence my comment. Will watch the video, though. Not sure the 4 more years of "you know who" has to do with this.
Yes, I am critical of how the Democrats handled their 4 years but it takes much more than a small 0.4% being critical to send the Presidency, Senate and House all packing to the other side. Again, nothing to do with Bhutan.
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