Recently, the renowned Danish office BIG announced the launch of its project for the city of Gelephu in Bhutan. This masterplan is inspired by the country's culture and its principles of happiness. The "Mindfulness City" aims to offer numerous possibilities for public engagement, fostering investments in infrastructure, education, and sustainable technologies—all aligned with the precepts of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
Although the concept has gained prominence in the architectural and urban planning sphere in recent years, Gross National Happiness has been a known and applied indicator in Bhutan since 1972. At that time, the king's vision aimed to measure the country's progress beyond the economic aspect, incorporating cultural, spiritual, psychological, and environmental considerations. The indicator was designed to assess various factors, including human well-being, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the balanced utilization of time by the inhabitants.
