Sub-Regional Workshop: Gender and Urban Poverty in South Asia

The Framework of Gross National Happiness and its Implications for Gender-responsive Urban Planning

Overview Presentation on Bhutan

26th to 28th March 2012, Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo

The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this paper do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.

1.

Visioning in Bhutans Context

Development Vision: Peace, Prosperity and Happiness Happiness is the ultimate desire of all human beings and that all else is a means for achieving happiness. The concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) should be seen in terms of a process that seeks to maximize happiness rather than economic growth. GNH does not regard economic growth as being unimportant. On the contrary, it is an important means for achieving higher ends.

2.

Insights of Urban Planning vis--vis the Happiness

Recognizes unique challenges of rapid demographic transition from a subsistence rural economy to an urban society. Hence rapid urbanization @ 7.3% Estimated that by 2020, 70% of population will migrate to urban areas. The challenges must be met by measures that respond imaginatively to both push and pull factor. Initiate regional growth centres to provide migration alternative to existing bigger towns which are growing at rates which may soon prove to be unsustainable

2.

Insights of Urban Planning vis--vis the Happiness Contd.

Build a society in which the benefits of development are shared through: 1) Responding to challenges posed by rapid urbanization 2) Ensuring equitable access to basic services 3) Responding to the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

2.

Insights of Urban Planning vis--vis the Happiness Contd.

Possess an economic base that that establishes conditions for self sustaining growth. Are supported by infrastructure development. Must give greater priority to securing measurable improvements in the quality of built environment Preservation of traditional built environment and community spaces

2.

Insights of Urban Planning vis--vis the Happiness Contd.

Institutionalized and informal participation for an inclusive urban planning and development at: Community level City level Regional level National level

3.

Governance

System of Governance must continue to evolve in the local context demonstrating its capacity to adapt to changing needs and situations. The devolution of new powers and responsibilities to the Local Government whereby, they are directly accountable to their constituencies. Strengthening institutional capacity at all levels for effective service delivery against increasing public expectations

4.

Urban Scenario in Bhutan

4 towns with full fledged Municipal Body 18 District Towns 8 Nos. Satellite towns 31 Commercial Centres or services nodes for the rural villages

5.

How does Happiness Impact Genderresponsive urban planning?

Prepared human settlement policies, strategies, legal instruments Conservation of environmentally sensitive areas and resources in the face of land pressures Integrating the heritage into the evolving built environment because urban development have the potential to negatively impact the cultural heritage structures and systems Clear understanding of social fabric in the planning process to address urban poor, youth problems & depletion of tradition & cultural values.

5.

How does Happiness Impact Gender- responsive urban planning? Contd.

Address conflict over limited land availability by preparing national spatial plan, regional plans, community level plans. Plans shall identify land for provision of low-income housing Promote settlements that are responsive in terms of disaster and risk management.

5.

How does Happiness Impact Genderresponsive urban planning Contd.

GNH keeps intact the social bondage of aging people which otherwise would be rendered homeless due to negative impact of urbanization leading to disintegrate the traditional family values. Finally promote safe, secure, responsible and responsive human settlement to benefit the larger society.

6.

Interventions to avoid negative effects of inevitable urbanization

1) Institutional Department of Human Settlement instituted to fully focus on human settlement issues Vision: An integrated and sustainable living environment that enables continued enhancement of our values and well-beings and provides opportunities for positive socio-economic development

6.

Interventions to avoid negative effects of inevitable urbanization - Contd.

2) Induction of innovative planning methodologies and green technologies for i) national spatial plan; ii) regional plan; iii) rural/community development plans; and iv) guidelines for any form of informal settlement to help canalize future settlement patterns.

3) Considerable progress has been made to provide equitable access to basic services and infrastructure

6.

Interventions to avoid negative effects of inevitable urbanization - Contd.

4) Identified potential growth areas to promote regionally balanced and coordinated development 5) Higher density development land use plan with provision for: Affordable housing for the poor Public spaces and recreational facilities Preservation of cultural heritage and traditional settlements Enhanced environmental conditions

6.

Interventions to avoid negative effects of inevitable urbanization Contd.

6) Include womens participation at all levels of planning process and implementation. 7) Seize on economic potential of private participation through PPP model, SEZ industrialization to generate employment opportunities

7.

What is the way forward?

Faced with crisis over crisis (economic, social and environmental) there is nothing less than transformational shift of human consciousness, the way we act & react, the way we think & speak Hence the bliss of happiness is in our own hands!!!

Person to person consultation at the site

Draft Plan presentation to the public

Traditional wooden cantilever pedestrian bridge

A district town in Eastern Bhutan

A district town in central Bhutan

Thimphu capital city

Tallest Buddha statue in Thimphu City

An un-spoilt traditional village

A valley depicting human settlement pattern in Bhutan

THANK YOU!!!