Vision
An integrated and sustainable living environment that enables continued enhancement of our values and provides opportunities for positive socio-economic development.
Mission
Promote safe, secure, responsible and responsive human settlements through preparation of planning strategies and physical development plans that are consistent with the national development polices.
Mandates
- Formulation of policies, strategies, legislations, regulations, standards, guidelines for human settlement planning and development (including infrastructure); housing
- Preparation of National, Regional Spatial Plans, Infrastructure Master Plans for Utilities, Water, Stormwater, Wastewater and Solid Waste.
- Undertake studies and assessment on housing and propose interventions.
- Undertake research and studies on infrastructure and Engineering and publish reports – BSR
- Technical assistance to the central agencies and LGs
Bhutan’s journey in modern development began with the launch of its First Five-Year Plan in 1961, leading to the establishment of Bhutan Engineering Services to oversee construction works.
By the 6th Plan, urban planning functions were administered by the Central Town Planning Committee (CTPC), which became the National Urban Development Corporation (NUDC) in 1984. In 1989, NUDC’s responsibilities shifted to the Ministry of Social Services and became the Department of Works and Housing.
This department was later renamed the Public Works Department (PWD) under the Ministry of Communications (MoC). In 1997, PWD was divided into the Department of Roads (DoR) and the Department of Urban Development and Housing (DUDH). In 2003, MoC was split into the Ministry of Information and Communication and the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement (MoWHS), and DUDH was further divided into the National Housing Development Corporation and the Department of Urban Development and Engineering Services (DUDES).
Due to rapid urbanization and increasing infrastructure demands, DUDES faced mounting challenges. To ensure more efficient service delivery and better specialization, the Lhengye Zhungtshog approved the bifurcation of DUDES into two distinct bodies: the Department of Engineering Services and the Department of Human Settlement, aligning with the goals of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.