LocationsA new plan brings together flood management, ecological renewal and public space development.
Thimphu’s Memorial Chorten stream corridor set to be transformed into a safer, greener and more inclusive urban space
June 26, 2026
Fadhil Bakeer Markar, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Amit Prothi, Director General, CDRI visited the Memorial Chorten Stream Corridor on 25 June 2026.
UNDP/Dechen Wangmo
Thimphu, Bhutan – 24 June 2026: The Memorial Chorten stream is one of the “five fingers of streams” identified in the Thimphu Structure Plan 2023-2047. It serves as an important ecological and stormwater corridor, connecting the city centre to the Wang Chhu River. The stream passes through key Thimphu landmarks and institutions, including the National Memorial Chorten, Lungten Zampa, Changlimithang area and the Royal Bhutan Police Headquarters.
However, rapid urbanization, encroachment into environmentally sensitive areas, inadequate drainage infrastructure and changing rainfall patterns have heightened flood exposure and contributed to environmental degradation along the corridor. Despite its central location, large parts of the area remain underused and difficult to access.
To address these challenges, Thimphu Thromde has developed a Memorial Chorten Stream Corridor Revitalization design plan, setting out a long-term vision to turn the stream into an integrated blue-green corridor that reduces flood risks, strengthens resilience, improves livability and restores ecological value. By combining engineered flood management measures with Nature-based Solutions, the approach works with natural systems to reduce disaster and climate risks while enhancing environment and community wellbeing.
The Memorial Chorten Stream Corridor Revitalization design plan was developed through the “Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Project”, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure’s Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (CDRI-IRAF).
The stream passes through key Thimphu landmarks, including the National Memorial Chorten (stupa) seen here in the background.
UNDP/Dechen Wangmo
“The initiative is among Bhutan’s first comprehensive efforts to combine disaster resilience, climate adaptation, ecological rehabilitation and accessible public space design in one urban infrastructure intervention,” said Tashi Wangmo, Executive Secretary of Thimphu Thromde.
"Building resilient cities requires integrated investments in nature, people, and infrastructure. This initiative shows how risk-informed planning and strong partnerships can create safer, greener, and more inclusive urban communities. CDRI is proud to support Bhutan in delivering practical solutions that strengthen resilience and enhance quality of life," said Amit Prothi, CDRI’s Director General
“This initiative is one of the examples of how the Royal Government of Bhutan, together with partners such as UNDP and CDRI, is working to make urban landscapes more resilient through a systemic approach. It goes beyond infrastructure to bring together risk-informed planning, data-driven decision-making, gender-responsive design, nature-based solutions, and institutional capacity strengthening,” said Fadhil Bakeer Markar, UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative.
The design plan was developed through stakeholder consultations, site assessments, technical studies and design workshops involving Thimphu Thromde, the Department of Human Settlement, UNDP and other technical agencies. Inputs from engineers, landscape architects, gender specialists and social and environmental safeguards experts helped shape the proposed interventions.
The implementation of the plan will be supported through another ongoing urban resilience project, “Enhancing Climate Resilience of Urban Landscapes in Thimphu and Paro Region”, led by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in partnership with UNDP and the Global Environment Facility.
From flood protection to community wellbeing
Proposed interventions include stream rehabilitation and naturalization, retention ponds for stormwater, restoration of riparian vegetation, ecological landscaping, walking trails, public viewing areas, recreational spaces, solar-powered lighting, waste interception systems and better pedestrian connectivity.
Together, these measures are expected to lower flood risks, improve water quality, support biodiversity, make public areas safer for both Thimphu residents and visitors.
The initiative also supports Bhutan’s broader adaptation priorities, including those outlined in the National Adaptation Plan 2023 and Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate-Resilient Development Strategy 2026, particularly in relation to human settlements. By integrating natural ecosystems into city planning, the project shows how urban areas can respond to growing climate pressures while creating healthier and more livable environments.
The revitalization plan include making public spaces along the stream corridor more inclusive and safe for women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
UNDP/Dechen Wangmo
Inclusion at the core
A key focus is inclusive urban development. The corridor has been designed to promote safe and equitable access for all members of society, including women, children, older persons, youth and persons with disabilities.
Walking trails, viewing points and recreational areas are intended to encourage social interaction, active lifestyles and greater connection with nature.
Beyond the Memorial Chorten stream corridor, the initiative is expected to serve as a model for revitalizing other urban waterways in Thimphu and across Bhutan. Lessons from the project will help inform future efforts to embed climate resilience, ecological restoration and inclusive design into urban development.
Media contact:
Ms. Dechen Wangmo, Communications and Partnerships Analyst, UNDP; E-mail: dechen.wangmo@undp.org
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