Bhutan's government has designated Gelephu as the site of a vast planned development called the Gelephu Mindfulness City — a special economic zone intended to attract international investment while maintaining the country's commitment to Gross National Happiness. The masterplan covers an area roughly the size of Singapore, running along the Indian border from the existing town toward the national park.
For now there is little to see on the ground beyond planning offices and early infrastructure work, but the project has attracted international attention and some serious architectural ambition — the Danish firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) was commissioned to develop the urban design. Whether the project transforms Gelephu or remains a grandiose concept is the question every visitor will form their own opinion about. It is certainly an unusual thing for a small Himalayan kingdom to attempt.