About Us
Department of Human Settlement
Mission:
Enhance livability through well planned human settlements;
Leverage technology and data to develop smart and resilient infrastructures; 39
Promote Home ownership and affordable housing for all; and
Promote circular economy in construction industry
Vision:
For a safe, inclusive, resilient, sustainable and highly liveable human settlement to enable socio-economic growth.
Our Story
With the start of modern development in the country (launch of the first five year plan) Bhutan Engineering Services, responsible for construction works in the country, was established in October 1961. By the 6th FYP physical planning and implementation works were administered through Central Town Planning Committee (CTPC) which in April 1984 was upgraded to National Urban Development Corporation (NUDC). In 1989 the functions of the NUDC were transferred to the then Ministry of Social Services with the aim of inte-grating urban affairs with other sectors in human settlement and was named as the Department of Works and Housing. This department was later renamed as the Public Works Department (PWD) and placed under the then Ministry of Communications (MoC). In 1997 PWD was bifurcated into the Department of Roads (DoR) and the Department of Urban Development and Housing (DUDH). Then in 2003 MoC was bifurcated into the Ministry of Information and Communication and the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement (MoWHS). At the same time, DUDH was bifurcated into the National Housing Development Corporation and the Department of Urban Development and Engineering Services (DUDES).
Bifurcation of the Department of Urban Development and Engineering Services
The rapid socio-economic development in the country placed immense demand on and for provision of infrastructure and develop-ment plans. In particular, the Department of Urban Development and Engineering Services, responsible for urban settlements and engineering services in the country was faced with increasing challenges. In addition to the complexity of urbanization, rapid changes were also taking place in villages and other settlements. On the other hand, there is increasing need for engineering services in the country and the technical support for local governments especially in view of the development focus of the 11th Five Year Plan. There-fore, to enable efficient delivery of services and to facilitate timely development, the Lhengye Zhungtshog approved the bifurcation of DUDES into the Department of Engineering Services and the Department of Human Settlement (DHS). This bifurcation enabled the two departments to specialize and focus more clearly on their respective areas of responsibilities.
Focusing on reaching out even the unlikeliest demographics
Our Directives
Formulate & review policies
Formulate and review policies, legislation, strategies, standards, guidelines, and codes pertaining to human settlement planning and development, infrastructure master planning, housing, construction practices and postal services
Prepare and plan
Prepare and review spatial plans, socio-economics and environmental plans, transportation master plans, urban design and landscape proposals, conduct settlement studies and development reviews
infrastructure & others
Prepare infrastructure Master Plans (Telecom, power & utilities, Water Supply, Wastewater, Storm Water and solid waste);
Studies
Prepare investment plan and feasibility studies
Develop and manage
Develop and manage Geo-database, housing inventory, Street Addressing System, and web- based GIS – SMART CITY initiative
Survey and data collection
Carry out topographical and river basin survey data, and carry out surveys for infrastructure planning, utilities, LAP demarcation, and boundary delineation
disaster & risk
Develop Flood Management Plan and Sediment Management Plan through flood risk and river morphological assessment and mapping
sustainable and emerging technology
Promote emerging technologies, enhance sustainability, energy efficiency, safety, quality and resiliency in building and construc-tion
coordinate tenancy service
Promote and improve living standard through housing, coordinate tenancy services, finance and taxation, and coordinate urban affairs
postal and courier services
Strengthen postal and courier services in the country through policies and strategies
Review and research
Conduct development review and research, provide technical support to LGs (engineering cluster & relevant agencies and build capacity (architects, engineers & urban planners);
disaster Logistics
Formulate and review disaster logistics preparedness and disaster management and contingency plans for emergency shelter; and
Settlement & plans meeting
Participate in the International, Regional and National conventions, meetings and agreements pertaining to Human Settlement Planning and Development, construction practices and postal services
Organogram
