Pathways Towards a Regenerative Built Environment in Bhutan

Bhutan’s unique forest stewardship

With over 70 per cent of its land classified as forest, Bhutan is one of the most densely forested countries in the world. The country's constitution mandates at least 60 per cent forest cover, thereby fostering biodiversity and carbon sequestration. In total, there are 11 different forest types in Bhutan. Bhutan's forests range from dense canopies of cool and warm broadleaf trees to coniferous species, reflecting the country's diverse ecoregions and altitudes, which span from 160 to 7,300 meters above sea level (DoFPS, 2023).

Bhutan has a tradition of careful stewardship of its forests. Since 1991, forests have been categorized based on their vulnerability and designated either for conservation and preservation or for sustainable use. Approximately 7 per cent of forests fall under Forest Management Units (FMUs), areas designated for commercial timber harvest. FMUs consist of mixed forest areas with different tree species, reflecting the altitude and ecoregion in which they are located. They are operated to ensure long-term forest health and productivity.

Harvesting and transporting timber remain hindered by the terrain and weather conditions. Felled logs are transported by slings to forest roads, a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. They are then loaded onto trucks and delivered to FMU depots to be distributed to sawmills or other users. An increasing amount of timber is exported from Bhutan each year.

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Rapid urbanisation

Urbanisation in Bhutan is concentrated in the western region. The country is undergoing significant rural to urban migration. This has led to the rapid expansion of Thimphu city, which has grown from 8 to 26 square kilometres in the last 20 years. By 2050, Thimphu is expected to grow by 66,000 residents and require 19,000 new homes.

This rapid expansion often relies on carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel, which compromise both Bhutan's low-carbon legacy and its cultural identity. Traditionally, Bhutanese architecture has harmonized with nature, using locally sourced materials such as timber. To preserve cultural heritage and local building techniques, Bhutan's building codes require the incorporation of traditional design elements into all new buildings.

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A regenerative shift for Bhutan's building sector

By aligning forest management with sustainable construction, Bhutan can meet its urban development needs while preserving its forests. In Bhutan, the ReBuilt project seeks to demonstrate how tradition and ecology can coexist with urban growth. Together with local partners, ReBuilt aims to establish local supply chains for natural building materials such as timber and advocate for changes to Bhutan's building code to promote regenerative material and practices. These efforts can ensure urban growth is both environmentally responsible and culturally resonant, leading the way toward a regenerative shift of the built environment in Bhutan.

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ReBuilt is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).