The main considerations in allocating land uses were: existing land uses along the river; extent, location and configuration of reclaimed land available; potential for development; the structural road network and form of the city; bridges proposed in the Ahmedabad Development Plan and, the possibility of providing adequate infrastructure. The primary objective of the planning exercise was to maximize city level benefits by the provision of ample public facilities. A secondary objective was to optimize revenue potential of land allocated for sale - to finance the project.
No.
Proposed Land Uses
Area (Ha)
Area (%)
1
Roads
46.45
28.53
2
Gardens
42.80
26.29
3
Promenades
9.80
6.02
4
Relocation Sites
15.48
9.50
5
Informal Markets
5.86
3.60
6
Commercial Areas(to be sold)
22.15
13.61
7
Residential Areas(to be sold)
12.47
7.66
8
Public Utilities
0.77
0.47
9
Extension of Public Facilities
0.94
0.58
10
Residual / Unallocated
6.08
3.74
Total
162.80
100
Roads
Drawing illustrates the proposed road network. A 6 lane wide road, the 'East River Drive', is proposed along the east bank and a 4 lane wide road, the 'West River Drive', is proposed along the west bank. In addition to these two major arterial roads, it is proposed to widen and upgrade roads providing access to the reclaimed area, to establish new access roads and to improve/rationalize key road junctions. All of the foregoing will not only serve the proposed new developments along the river and dissipate the traffic that they will generate but also contribute to the strengthening of the transportation network of the city and to alleviating the traffic problem.
Parks and Gardens
Nearly 42.8 hectares of parks and gardens have been envisaged along the river edge to serve different recreational functions and to cater to the needs of different citizen groups. Some of these are expected to serve as city level green spaces while others as neighborhood parks. These additions in the heart of the city will considerably enhance the availability of open space for the densest areas of the city. The various parks and gardens are listed below:
East Bank
Dudheshwar Garden (5.52 ha)
Heritage Park (1.33 ha)
Victoria Garden Extension (1.26 ha)
Pirana Forest (4.73 ha)
West Bank
Gandhi Ashram Park (2.57 ha)
B.J. Park Extension (2.91 ha)
City Park (15.79 ha)
V.S. Hospital Park (1.51 ha)
Vasna Forest (7.18 ha)
Promenades
The plan contains specific proposals for the development of promenades along the river. A total of 9.8 ha of reclaimed land is proposed to be used for promenades. They are listed below:
East Bank
The Dudheshwar Promenade (0.52 ha)
The East River Promenade (3.12 ha)
West Bank
Usmanpura Promenade (0.72 ha)
Ashram Road Promenade (4.46 ha)
Vasna Promenade (0.98 ha)
Resettlement and Rehabilitation:
It is proposed that a total of 15.48 ha of the reclaimed land be used for relocation and rehabilitation of those people living in slums along the river who are affected by the project. The land is allocated in three pieces at separate locations. This ensures that none of the project affected persons will have to move too far from their present location.
A detailed survey has identified that 4400 households will be affected by the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project. To calculate the amount of land required for relocation the size of new dwelling units is considered to be 25 sq m. It is envisaged that ground plus three floor high terraced housing will be built. Though the design of the new housing has to be worked out in detail, it is envisaged that the FSI or density there will be approximately 1.2. The table below gives sizes of the three relocation sites.
No.
Relocation Site
Area (Ha)
1
Dudheshwar Relocation Site
8.64
2
Gaikwad Haveli Relocation Site
2.81
3
Paldi Relocation Site
4.03
Total
15.48
Informal Markets
At present there are two informal markets along and on the riverbed: the Sunday Market (Gujri), which functions at the foot of the Ellis Bridge and the Phool Bazar adjacent to the Sardar Bridge. Both of these are economically and culturally very significant - particularly for the poor. To ensure that these markets remain and so that they are further strengthened, a total of 3.46 ha of reclaimed land have been allocated for their expansion and upgrading. In addition to this it is proposed to create two new informal markets, one near Gandhi Bridge on the east bank (1.4 ha) and the other at Usmanpura on the west bank (1 ha). It is estimated that the four markets will generate a direct employment of approximately 14,000 jobs.
Commercial Areas
It is proposed that a total of 22.15 ha of the reclaimed land be sold for commercial development. The land is allocated in five patches. Existing land use patterns and the potential for development were considered in locating these patches. Development in these plots will be controlled by Urban Design Guidelines. This will ensure that renewed waterfront of Ahmedabad will be harmoniously and aesthetically built. Care has also been taken to ensure that the proposed new developments are in keeping with the desired structural form of the city. The following lists the five patches earmarked for commercial development.
East Bank:
Subhash Bridge Commercial Development Area
Gandhi Bridge to Nehru Bridge, Commercial Development Area
Proposed Bridge 3, Commercial Development Area
West Bank:
Gandhi Bridge to Nehru Bridge, Commercial Development Area
Proposed Bridge 3, Commercial Development Area
Residential
It is proposed that a total of 12.47 ha of the reclaimed land be sold for residential development. The land is allocated in two patches. Existing land use patterns and the potential for development were considered in locating these patches. Development in these plots will be controlled by Urban Design. This will ensure that the renewed waterfront of Ahmedabad will be harmoniously and aesthetically built. Care has also been taken to ensure that the proposed new developments are in keeping with the desired structural form of the city. The following lists the patches for residential development.
East Bank
Proposed Bridge 1, Residential Development Area (2.04 ha)
V. S. Hospital Residential Development Area (10.43)
Public Utilities
It is proposed that 0.94 ha of the reclaimed land between Subhash Bridge and Proposed Bridge 1 be allocated for a bus terminal. It will be accessible from the six lane wide East River Drive and serve to augment the main public transport facility of the city. In addition to this it is proposed that strategically located portions of the unallocated land may be used for other city level public utilities such as the Municipal Corporation's Fire Service and Water Supply Service.
Extension of Public Facilities
A few small and odd pockets of reclaimed land are left in between proposed roads and the V S Hospital and the National Institute of Design. Since they are otherwise difficult to develop into any substantial facility and since it is unlikely that they can be sold for development, it is proposed that they be amalgamated with the existing plots. The commercial modality for doing this is yet to be worked out. The total area of this land is .94 ha.
Unallocated / Residual
A total of 6.08 ha of the reclaimed land is not allocated as yet. This area is likely to be reduced after reconciliation of property rights. Following more detailed planning some strategically located portions will be used for providing public utilities and informal markets on the west bank and some of the land will be available for sale for residential and commercial development.
