Sabarmati Riverfront

Development and
Park - Ahmedabad,
Gujarat
Sai Naveen J 2018701023
Varun R 2019701035

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 Ahmedabad was founded on the
Sabarmati banks of river Sabarmati in 1411
A.D. Since then the city has grown
Riverfront around the river and the river has
Development been an integral part of the rich
history of Ahmedabad.
REVITALISING the heart of
The sabarmati river flowing
AHMEDABAD
Socializing a River & Inclusive north-south, the river now bisects
Development the city into western and eastern
halves.

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About Sabarmati River, Ahmedabad
➔ While kings built pleasure gardens, summer palaces, and mosques along
the river: the people utilized it for trade, meetings and various religious
rituals.
➔ Daily activities like bathing, washing clothes, and drying were also carried
out on the river edge.
➔ With the Sabarmati River flowing north-south, the river now bisects the
city into its western and eastern halves.
➔ Sabarmati is a monsoon-fed river, hence when it ran dry, the bed was used
for farming.
➔ For many years, it has served as a water source and provided almost no
formal recreational space for the city.

Figure: Current status of Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad, India

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Historical Significance of Sabarmati
River
➔ The river has always been significant for the city. First and foremost as the
city’s prime source of water.
➔ Mahatma Gandhi founded his ashram on the riverbank which came to be
known as the Sabarmati Ashram.
➔ Gandhi began his Salt March from here in 1930, thus making the river a
historic backdrop to India’s freedom struggle.
➔ Since the river is seasonal, during the drier months, the riverbed offered
space for farming and a place for occasional gathering and recreation.
➔ Place for holding occasional markets and dobhi settlements.

Figure(Above): Sabarmati River, Ahmedabad (Source: Google Images)

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Figure(Below): Dandi March by Mahatma Gandhi (Sources: Google Images)
Ahmedabad and the Sabarmati: 1672 5
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Sabarmati and the Growth of Ahmedabad
Problems faced by Sabarmati River
➔ The city began to industrialise and grow during the early twentieth
century, and by mid-century it was considered the hub of the textile
industry in the East.
➔ With the rapid growth and as land in the city came under more intense
uses, the city’s traditional Sunday flea market was moved to the riverbank.
➔ The wide, oft-dry riverbed and riverbanks were used to launder clothes
and to dye textiles.
➔ Many of the city’s poor and migrant population, unable to afford formal
housing elsewhere, began to live in informal hutments along the
riverbanks.
➔ However, these settlements had no tenure and lacked even the basic
municipal services, thus resulting in unhygienic living conditions and
pollution of the river. During the monsoon period, these settlements were
vulnerable and disastrously flood prone.

Figure(Above): Untreated sewage flowed into the river from informal settlements and adjoining areas
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through stormwater outfalls. Figure(Below): River became inaccessible (Source: HCPDPM)
Problems faced by Sabarmati River
➔ During the monsoon period, these settlements were vulnerable and
disastrously flood prone. All these uses and abuses took their toll on the
river.
➔ Untreated domestic and industrial effluents from the city polluted the
river through stormwater outfalls and natural drains at many locations. In
addition to the declining ecological health, the river itself became
inaccessible to the majority of the city’s residents.
➔ Many property owners along the banks built their own retaining walls to
protect their properties from flood erosion. As a result of both-private
ownership of most riverside land and the informal settlements, few public
access points remained.
➔ By the 1970s, the only places where most citizens could enjoy the
expanse of the river running through the heart of the city was from the
view provided by the several bridges spanning the river.

Figure(Above): Waste floating over the sabarmati river in Ahmedabad (Source: Google Images).
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Figure(Below): Slum settlements along the river(Source: Google Images)
Problems faced by Sabarmati River
➔ On account of the aforementioned developments, the river no longer
played a significant role in the life of the city residents.
➔ The urban center lacked focus and new developments were moving
outwards from the river reinforcing the existing divide between the
Western and the Eastern parts of the city.
➔ The untreated sewage that flowed from stormwater outfalls, natural
drains and slum pockets on both banks of the river posed a public health
threat because Ahmedabad continued to depend on French wells dug into
the riverbed for a significant portion of its municipal water supply.

Figure(Above): Polluted riverside market on the bank of sabarmati river(Source: Google Images).
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Figure(Below): Improperly planned event spaces on the riverbank(Source: Google Images)
First steps for a change
➔ Responding to the plight of Sabarmati River and seeing an opportunity to
create usable, attractive public space for Ahmedabad’s residents, the
French architect Bernard Kohn, who was then residing in Ahmedabad, (in
collaboration with Kamal Mangaldas, a city-based architect, Anil Bakeri,
an engineer, and a few others) was the first to propose the development of
a portion of the Sabarmati riverbank in the 1960s.
➔ In addition, the Sabarmati River underwent a number of
post-independence projects to improve the irrigation network, power
generation and flood control within the state. First, a flood control dam
was built in 1976 at Dharoi (approximately 200 km upstream of
Ahmedabad) so that the ‘floods’ that Ahmedabad sees now are discharges
from Dharoi Dam- announced twelve hours in advance of the released
water arriving in Ahmedabad.

Figure(Above):Concept sketches by Bernard Kohn(Source: Google Images).

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Figure(Below):Ar Bernard Kohn(Source: Google Images)
First steps for a change
➔ Second was the construction of a barrage, also built in 1976 at Vasna
which is just downstream of Ahmedabad, which serves to retain water in
the Sabarmati. This retained water is diverted by the Fatehwadi Canal for
irrigation in areas south-west of Ahmedabad.
➔ Finally, the Narmada canal just upstream of Ahmedabad was completed.
Together these independent projects had a profound effect on
Ahmedabad. The risk of major floods was greatly reduced.
➔ The Vasna Barrage enabled water retention in the entire length of the
river within the city.
➔ The Narmada Canal, which crosses the river a few kilometres upstream
from the city, makes it possible to replenish the barrage retained water
that is used up for irrigation or is lost to evaporation and seepage. These
projects, although unrelated, make it possible for Ahmedabad to have a
perennial lake in the middle of the city.
Figure: Sabarmati River in the 1970s(Source: Google Images)
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First steps for a change
➔ In 1976, a group of local professionals came together as the Riverfront
Development Group (RFDG) to propose an incremental approach to
creating a public riverfront along the riverbanks (RFDG 1976). However,
these proposals never moved past the conceptual stage 2 .
➔ The city then went through a period of significant decline from the
mid-1970s until the mid-1990s, due to the collapse of its once-robust
textile industry.
➔ With the beginnings of India’s economic liberalization during the 1990s,
the city significantly improved its financial situation by revamping the
taxation and collection system. Also, there was a major shift in the state’s
policy as it redirected its traditional focus on rural areas towards urban
centres.

Figure: Sabarmati River in the 1970s(Source: Google Images)

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Project’s Inception
➔ In May 1997, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) established a
wholly owned Special Purpose Vehicle - the Sabarmati River Front
Development Corporation Ltd (SRFDCL)3 to explore the project.
➔ AMC commissioned The Environmental Planning Collaborative (EPC) to
prepare a comprehensive feasibility study to develop a 9-km stretch of
the city’s riverfront. EPC provided a schematic proposal incorporating all
different aspects of the project and development management services to
SRFDCL until 2002.
➔ During this period, its mandate was to direct and monitor all the
preparatory work until the project took off in February 2004. In 2004, the
land comprising of the riverbed (162.80 ha) was transferred by the State
government to AMC for implementation of the project.
➔ SRFDCL’s role was on a “Build, Maintain, Operate and Transfer” (BMOT)
basis. SRFDCL then appointed HCP Design Planning and Management
Pvt. Ltd. (HCPDPM) to lead the urban design, architectural and structural
aspects of the project.

Figure: Sabarmati River in the 1970s

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 Development Map and Project Objectives

Figure: Development Sites of Sabarmati Riverfront Development (Source:

HCPDPM)
The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project is a multi-dimensional project aiming towards environmental
improvement, social upliftment and urban rejuvenation of Ahmedabad. By reclaiming the private river edge as a
public asset, it focuses to improve the city’s spatial structure, restore its relationship with the river and provide
benefits to all strata of the society. The Riverfront Project presents a great opportunity to create a public edge to
the river on the eastern and western sides of Ahmedabad. By channeling the river to a constant width of 275
meters, riverbed land has been reclaimed to create 11.25 kilometers of public riverfront on both the banks. The
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total land reclamation is around 200 hectare.
 Development Map and Project Objectives

Figure: Master Plan of Sabarmati Riverfront Development (Source: HCPDPM)

In the master plan for the project, the main considerations in allocating land uses for the reclaimed portions 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 for new development.
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 Development Map and Project Objectives

Figure: Street Networking of Sabarmati Riverfront Development (Source: HCPDPM)

The following are the main objectives of the project: #Make the riverfront accessible to the public; #Stop the flow
of sewage, and keep the river clean and pollution free; #Reduce the risk of erosion and flooding in flood-prone
neighbourhoods; #Provide permanent housing for riverbed slum dwellers; #Provide public spaces and
socio-cultural amenities; #Rejuvenate riverfront neighbourhoods; #Generate resources to self-finance the project.
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Categorisation of project objectives - SRFD
The project aims to provide Ahmedabad with a meaningful waterfront environment along
the banks of the Sabarmati River and to redefine an identity of Ahmedabad around the river.
The project looks to reconnect the city with the river and positively transform the neglected
aspects of the riverfront.

The objectives of this multidimensional project can be categorised under three topics:

1. Environmental Improvement
- Reduction in erosion and flood to safeguard the city sewage diversion to clean the river
water retention and recharge.
2. Social Upliftment
- Rehabilitation and resettlement of riverbed dwellers and activities creation of parks and
public spaces; provision of socio-cultural amenities for the city.
3. Sustainable Development
- Generation of resources, revitalisation of neighbourhoods.

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Environmental Improvement - SRFD
Strategies for overall environmental improvement have been
formulated to achieve the following objectives :-
1. Reduction in Erosion and Flood
Strategies for flood protection, bank protection, and river
training have been formulated based on detailed hydrological
and hydraulic analysis and an optimal width of 263 meters for
the water way has been selected.

Strategies for flood protection, bank protection, and river

training have been formulated based on detailed hydrological
and hydraulic analysis. An optimal width of 263 meters for the
water way has been selected and implemented. Both banks of
the river have diaphragm walls built into the riverbed at a
depth of more than 10m, and retaining walls which protect
low-lying areas from periodic flooding and prevent erosion of
the river banks. The Sabarmati has been channelized to a
constant width without altering the flood carrying capacity of
the river. Now the project can sustain flood levels of 4.75 lac
cusecs without spillage into the city. 18
Environmental Improvement - SRFD
Urban Forestry

Between Vasna Barrage and Ambedkar Bridge, the unique afforestation project is situated
over 1 lakh sq.mt area. The natural forestry is being developed with different plant species
from Gujarat, including certain very rare species.

Figure: Development of Urban Forestry (Source:HCP)

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Environmental Improvement - SRFD
2. Sewerage Diversion
- To stop the pollution of the river from untreated sewage and industrial effluents, an
integrated storm water and sewage system with interceptor sewers has been
implemented.
- To stop the pollution of the river from the stormwater outfalls and industrial effluents,
an integrated storm water and sewage system with interceptor sewers has been
implemented. These interceptor lines have been installed along both banks of the river
capturing 38 sewage discharge points and routing the sewage with new pumping
stations in the reclaimed banks. These lines carry untreated sewage to the recently
augmented sewage treatment plants south of Vasna Barrage.
- To stop flow of sewage and to keep the river clean. Diversion (Interceptor) of Sewage •
East Bank: 15 Km • West Bank: 12.3 Km

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Environmental Improvement - SRFD

Figure: Sewage Diversion of Sabarmati Riverfront Development (Source: HCPDPM)

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Environmental Improvement - SRFD
Sewerage System

To intercept the sewer running into the river and divert it to the treatment plants, the
interceptor sewer system was constructed. Earlier the sewage from 36 drainage points
directly falls into the river that makes the water dirty, mosquito ridden and unhealthy
environment. Now, there is an extreme change in the environment around the river because
all sewage goes to a pumping station for transformation of it to river quality.

Figure: Development of Urban Forestry (Source:HCP)

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Environmental Improvement - SRFD
3. Water Retention and Recharge
- As Sabarmati is not a perennial river, a comprehensive
strategy to manage and maintain water in the river
throughout the year has been worked out. Water
retention in the river shall enable recreational activities
as well as recharge the groundwater.
- As Sabarmati is not a perennial river, a comprehensive
strategy to manage and maintain water throughout
the year in the river has been worked out.
- The Vasna Barrage, located just downstream of
Ahmedabad, makes it possible to retain water for 15
kilometers upstream, the entire length of the river A more sustainable alternative is undergoing
within the city. The Narmada Canal, which crosses the planning to use treated water from the sewage
treatment plants to replenish the river. Hence, the
river a few kilometres upstream from the city, makes it traditionally monsoon-fed Sabarmati shall be able
to hold and replenish water year-round. Water
possible to replenish the barrage-retained water that is retention in the river enables recreational activities
used up for irrigation or is lost to evaporation and as well as groundwater recharge.

seepage.
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Environmental Improvement - SRFD
4. River Cleaning
- The Riverfront has adopted the process of cleaning the
River by using Floating Trash Skimmer Machine. The
Skimmer Machine is able to gather the waste that is
floating and is on shallow depths. Today, the River has
been cleaned and the ecosystem has plunged back to
greenery and varied species of migratory birds.

- SRFDCL is testing the quality of water and the level of

oxygen in the water to improve the marine Biodiversity.
The substantial level of Dissolved Oxygen is maintained
in the water.

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Social Upliftment - SRFD
The project master plan aims at improving and providing
social facilities for the city with the following objectives:
1. Rehabilitation & Resettlement
The project's goal is to relocate more than 10,000 households
from slums near the river. The slum dwellers affected by the
project have been moved to secure, permanent housing. This
relocation process, overseen by the Gujarat High Court, has
provided each claimant with a titled home in various locations
throughout the city.

The project plans to bring together informal activities like

washing clothes and informal markets. The Laundry Campus
will offer modern facilities for the washing community,
replacing their traditional use of river banks. The weekly flea
market, 'Ravivari,' has been moved to Riverfront Market, which
now has designated areas and platforms for mobile vendors.

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Social Upliftment - SRFD
Slum Dwellers: There were around 12000 hutments on both side of river bank that cover
nearly 20% of the critical project area. More than 10000 families are allotted with houses for
resettlement, and 9078 odd families have already been shifted. Each house is of 26.77 sq m
carpet area. Commonly the relocation of a slum is provided on the outskirt of the city, but in
this case, it is located near to the prime location of the city.

Figure: Development of Slum Dwellers (Source:HCP)

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Slum Settlers
Relocation Map
(Source:HCP)

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Social Upliftment - SRFD
2. Provision of Socio-Cultural Facilities
● To provide new and improved facilities for the city and to
include sections with particular needs, provision of
markets and vending areas to include street vendors ,
laundry facilities for the washing community, trade and
fair facilities for the business community have been made
in the project. The project replaces a largely private
riverfront with an expansive public realm with a network
of parks, waterside promenades, markets, cultural
institutions, recreational facilities and commercial
developments for the city’s five million residents.
Figure: Development of Laundry
The significant facilities that have been provided in the project camps(Source:HCP)
are:
● Riverfront Market
● Laundry Campus
● Events Ground
● Exhibition Centre 28
Social Upliftment - SRFD
Gujari Bazaar: It is an age-old Sunday market, where 40% of traders were women and half
of them describe themselves as Dalits. It was unhygienic and also there is a risk of flood in
monsoon. Now, it is spread over 70.00 sq.mt area, and 1600 vendors can do their business on
788 pucca platforms and 783 laris.

Figure: Development of Gujari Bazaar (Source:HCP)

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Social Upliftment - SRFD
Dhobi Ghat: Around 172 Dhobis were using both the bank of the river for washing activities.
On the eastern bank of the river near Vasna Barrage is constructed as dhobi ghat spread
over approx. 9400 sq.mt area has utility area of about 600 sq.mt. There are seven blocks in
modern Dhobi Ghat, and each block has 24 units with well-developed water supply and
drainage system with a water meter for inlet watering.

Figure: Development of Dhobi Ghat(Source:HCP)

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Social Upliftment - SRFD
Event Area: Earlier the dry river bed was used to host events like circus and cricket etc.
However, a mega city like Ahmedabad requires a proper event management ground
facilities. So that an area of 60.00 aq.mt, spread between Sardar Bridge and Ellis Bridge on
the west bank has been designed for hosting events such as the Kite Festival, the Marathon,
the Cyclothon and Garib Kalyan Mela are organized.

Figure: Development of Event Area(Source:HCP)

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Social Upliftment - SRFD
3. Creation of Parks and Public Spaces
● The project's objective is to transform Ahmedabad's
riverfront and create a connection between the city and
its river. This will be achieved by reclaiming a large
portion of land on both sides of the river, spanning almost
twelve kilometers. The project aims to replace the current
privately-owned riverfront with a public space, consisting
of parks and promenades, that will be accessible to the
city's five million residents.
● This project includes two levels of continuous
promenades along the riverbanks. The lower level is for
pedestrians and cyclists and is located just above the Figure: Development of New
water level. The upper level is for public features such as Parks(Source:HCP)
commercial areas, parks, and public washrooms. These
promenades create an 11.5 km pedestrian walkway in
Ahmedabad. Ghats are also included at intervals to
provide access to the water for recreational and cultural
activities. 32
Social Upliftment - SRFD
Creation of Parks and Public Spaces

The project devotes around seventy hectares, more than a

quarter (26%), of the reclaimed land towards creating public
spaces in the heart of the city.

These open spaces range from public parks and gardens to

shaded plazas and urban forests.

The parks shall enhance livability in the neighbourhoods and

provide the city with much needed green spaces and respite
from the dense built environment.

The plazas on the other hand will offer public places for social
gatherings, and informal activities to take place.

Figure: Development of New

Parks(Source:HCP)
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Social Upliftment - SRFD
Usmanpura Riverfront Park: This Park is one of the many
public gardens created along the riverfront in this project. The
aim of the project is to transform this Park into an Urban
Retreat and strengthen the green space network on the
western part of the city. The 1.85 hectare Park provides the
visitors an opportunity to reconnect themselves with the
missing nature within the concrete spaces of the city. Figure: Development of New
Parks(Source:HCP)
Shahibaug Riverfront Park: This 6.2 Hectare Urban Park is
located on the opposite bank of the Sabarmati Ashram and is
having a long green stretch of 1.5 K.M. It has many attractions
like Walking area, Sun Dial, Amphitheater, Thought Garden,
Children Play area, Street area along with Food area and
Shopping plaza. You can sit, back and relax at one place. This
park is located between Subhash Bridge and Dadichi Bridge.
Figure: Development of New 34
Parks(Source:HCP)
Social Upliftment - SRFD
Riverfront Flower Park: To witness the beauty of the nature,
Flower Park offers variety of flowers to enthuse the feeling of
joy and happiness in oneself. There are more than 72 varieties
of species in this Garden full of flowers located near Ellisbridge.
The unique feature of this Garden is that it has been
differentiated on the basis of fragrance, theme, leaf color and
many other things. This 3.85 Hectare park also has a valley of Figure: Development of New
flowers to offer many different flowers at one place. Parks(Source:HCP)
Riverfront Biodiversity Park: The 9-hectare Biodiversity
Park will serve as an ideal alternative habitat for migratory and
resident bird species and has come up at the edge of Vasna
Barrage and near to Ambedkar Bridge. It has more than 5,000
trees and has endangered species of trees. This Biodiversity
Park will give the citizens a space to find 'solitude', away from
the humdrum of city life.
Figure: Development of New 35
Parks(Source:HCP)
Social Upliftment - SRFD
Riverfront Children Park: To promote the holistic well-being
through physical, mental, and social development of children
through play, Riverfront Children Park is the apt location near
Dafnala. This 0.55 hectare Park has a huge play area for
Children with Slides, Swings, Playground climbers, Seesaw etc.
Also, there is a Musical Fountain especially meant for Children
to enjoy their every moment and allows them to swing with Figure: Development of New
the music. Parks(Source:HCP)
B.J.Park: This 1.7 Hectare Urban Park is located between Ellis
Bridge & Nehru Bridge on the west side of Riverfront. There are
more than 170 Trees which are almost 50 years old maintained
well in this Park. This Park has created valuable green space in
the middle of City and will increase community engagement.
It has many attractions like Walking area, Children Play area,
Open Gym, Fountain etc.
Figure: Development of New 36
Parks(Source:HCP)
Social Upliftment - SRFD
Miyawaki Plantation: For the first time, more than 67,000
tree saplings have been planted along the East & West side of
the river. The plantation has been done with Miyawaki method,
a Japanese technique developed by Japanese botanist and
plant ecologist- Akira Miyawaki. In this method multi-layered
saplings are planted close to each other. This blocks sunlight
from reaching the ground and prevents weeds from growing, Figure: Development of New
thus keeping the soil moist. The close cropping further ensures Parks(Source:HCP)
that the plants receive sunlight only from the top thus
enabling them only to grow upwards than sideways. Growing
the saplings close also ensures space for more trees to be
planted.

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Sustainable Development - SRFD
The project master plan aims at making the development
sustainable in all aspects with the following objectives:

Revenue Generation:The project aims to be self-financing to

achieve its goals without relying on any funding from the
government.

The project has been planned to be self-financing, that is to Figure: Development of

Promenade(Source:HCP)
achieve its goals without relying on any funding from the
government. A small portion of the reclaimed land will be sold
for commercial development, to generate sufficient enough
resources to pay for developing the riverfront and managing it.
The private developments that will be built on the riverfront
shall be carefully controlled by volumetric regulations to
ensure that the built environment along the riverfront is
harmonious and has a memorable skyline. Development sites
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indicate the land pockets identified for sale or long-term lease.
Sustainable Development - SRFD
Development of Promenade: A key feature of this project is a
two-level, continuous walk on both sides of river bank built just
above the water level for pedestrian and cyclists. So there will
be no private ownership of river bank, and the whole stretch is
open for every citizen.

A key element of the project is a new linear two-level

promenade. The lower promenade having a minimum width Figure: Development of
Promenade(Source:Google Images)
of 10 meters lies just above the water level, providing
uninterrupted pedestrian access to the water.

The upper promenade hosts a variety of public buildings,

cultural and educational institutions, public parks and plazas
and commercial development.

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 Street Development - SRFD

Figure: Street Networking of Sabarmati Riverfront Development (Source: HCPDPM)

The SRFD streets have been constructed to serve as effective movement conduits. The SRFD streets run parallel to
the river on both banks thus providing continuous access to the riverfront development. All SRFD streets have
dedicated pedestrian paths with parking bays, cycle tracks and 6 m wide carriageways. 10.55 km long roads on the
east bank and 9.25 km long roads on the west bank connecting important parts of the city.
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Riverfront Land Use

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Figure: Land Use Map of Sabarmati Riverfront Development (Source: Google Images)
Construction Process - Original Condition

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Figure: Original Condition of Sabarmati Riverfront (Source: Google Images)
Construction Process - Diaphragm Wall & Anchor
Slab

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Figure: Diaphragm Wall and Anchor Slab construction (Source: Google Images)
Construction Process - Retaining Wall &
Earth-Filling

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Figure: Retaining Wall construction (Source: Google Images)
Construction Process - Further Development

Figure: Overall Development of the riverfront (Source: Google Images) 45

Riverfront Land Use http://www.sabarmatiriverfront.com/

The proposed development is of mix land use that includes commercial, recreational and residential
developments within the both side of river bank from Gandhi Bridge to Sardar Bridge.

Sr. No Sanctioned Land Use Area (Sq.m) Area (Ha) Percentage(%)

1 Road 4,44,378 44 22

2 Garden 2,74,585 27 14

3 Open space 3,71,198 37 18

4 Public Purpose 2,88,875 29 14

5 Lower Promenade 2,66,462 27 13

6 Multi use for sale 2,94,083 29 14

7 Sports 72,503 7 4

8 Residual(Residential & Other) 15,787 2 1

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Total 20,27,871 202.8
A Revenue Sustainable Project
● Likely revenue from sale of land Rs. 1700 Cr.

● Out of which, Rs. 1200 Cr. to be returned by SRFDCL to AMC

● A Corpus of Rs. 500 Cr. to be kept aside for O & M Exp. of the project

● Likely increase in revenue of property tax – Rs. 50 Crores

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Project benefits - SRFD
● It is made possible to retain surface water in the river all year round also utilized for boat rides etc.
● The water recharges the ground strata extensively with storage of 12.5 million cubic meter of river
water.
● Interceptor sewers and sewage diversion network has diverteds more than 250 MLD sewage from the
river and eliminated the pollutants.
● Diaphragm walls in the bed of the river has protected from scour and stopped erosion of the river
banks.
● Retaining walls along both banks has made 202 Ha. land available for further development for the city
and also contributed for flood protection.
● The embankments on either side of the river has provided wide walkways, many other facilities and
green space for the public with extensive tree plantation.
● 10000 slum dwellers residing on the riverbed have been rehabilitated and resettled in very good
pakka homes.
● Traditional user of river like washermen(Dhobis) and Unorganised vendors are now provided with
well organised facilities.
● Easy access to the river water through Ghats, Stairs/Ramps.

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Project Impact - SRFD
● Indian towns and cities are rapidly expanding but their natural assets have been neglected and abused
over the years.
● The progress of this project has emboldened other Indian cities to steer the growth and upgrade their
urban core and assets to improve the lives of its citizens.
● Smaller towns in Gujarat such as Himatnagar and Shyamlaji have sought the professional expertise of
the team from HCP DPM and positive transformation of their respective waterfronts are underway
while other larger Gujarati cities -Vadodara and Rajkot are also looking into the feasibility of
undertaking similar projects.

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Project Impact - SRFD
● The Sabarmati riverfront development project is a unique urban project being built in the heart of an
existing city, stitching together the East and West banks of the river.
● The project has brought the river back to the city and the people back to the river. The simple joy of
being able to walk along the river bank, to sit in a garden and enjoy the serene beauty of the river is
now a reality.
● Even while development is ongoing, completed new facilities are already being used by the public and
the reclaimed space is home to several events such as the Kite festival.
● Over the years, the project has become a part of the public realm and gradually transformed into the
new centre of Ahmedabad, creating a new identity for it.

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51
RIVERFRONT FLOWER PARK

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Riverfront Flower Park
● The Riverfront park is located along Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad,
Gujarat.
● It covers 1 lakh sq.ft.area.
● It spreads on top promenade of Sabarmati on west simply at the back of
the Tagore hall and V.S. Health center.
● The park consists of themed flower garden for the city of Ahmedabad.
This is designed for Tourist Attractions.
● The lawn is envisaged as a showcase of different plant species particularly
flower based in one of a kind themed areas all around the park.

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Elements of Riverfront Flower Park- SRFD
● The small bridges are designed for the purpose of connectivity of areas and to meet the needs of a
diverse range of people.

● There are three gates on the frontal aspect of flower park.

● The granite is used for pathways and for seating areas.

● The seating areas are designed near river bank and under the huge trees.

● Sculptures are made with plants and floras captures the centre attraction.

● The planted pots are attached to a huge stone on the left side of pathways for aesthetic and beauty
purpose.

● A children play area, small pond are situated at western banks. The swings are placed with shading are
located in few areas.

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Various Zones in Riverfront Flower Park- SRFD
● Flower valley and flower terraces
● Tricona Vatika.
● Lake Valley
● Plant showcase garden and Rose garden.
● A Greenhouse showcasing color loving and exceptional vegetation.
● Meals court docket.

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Site plan
Variations in pathways

Soft pathway (grass) Hard pathway (Granite)

Recycling material as a landscape
element

Tyres used as Plant potter box Tyres used as Semi wall

Lake valley

Pink lillies leaves which reduce evoporation

Variations in edge defining

Fine Knee level shrubs Coarse Knee level shrubs

Level variations
That brings us to the end.

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References
- ISOCARP Review 10
- SRFD Ahmedabad, a review by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
- EIA Report for “Sabarmati Riverfront Development Phase 2” from Acher – Hansol to Indira Bridge at
Ahmedabad, Gujarat SEPTEMBER 2021
- Sabarmati Riverfront Development (SRFD) - Environmental Planning Collaborative(EPC)
- Sabarmati Riverfront: A Catalyst for Ahmedabad’s Economic Growth - A Report
- A Journal of Landscape Architecture: Riverscapes ISSN 0975 - 0177
- Sabarmati Riverfront - Newsletter, December 2019
- Framework for Riverfront development as a Socio-Interactive space, Research Paper
- SABARMATI RIVERFRONT: PHASE 02 - Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd.
- SABARMATI RIVERFRONT.... Socializing a River & Inclusive Development - SRFDCL & AMC
- Sabarmati Riverfront Development - Initial Presentation
- Water: Resource and Threat(2009) - Topos
- Waterfront Development: A Case Study of Sabarmati Riverfront, Dipali Babubhai Paneria, Vishwa D. Mehta,
Bhasker Vijaykumar Bhatt
- Sabarmati Riverfront Development ,Integrated Environmental Improvement and Urban Revitalization by
SRFDCL and HCP Designs Ahmedabad

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References
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Journal-of-Landscape-Architecture_2
012.pdf
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Topos_2009.pdf
- https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/18321376.pdf
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/sustainable-development/
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/social-upliftment/
- https://www.isocarp-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Review10_Reconnecting-the-City-wi
th-its-River.pdf
- https://hcp.co.in/urbanism/riverfront-park-daffnala/
- https://urbanmobilityindia.in/Upload/Conference/b84df2be-cebe-4e83-a741-c6eb4c97f5c9.pdf
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/studies-reports/
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2015.09.10_SRFD-General-Presentati
on.pdf
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/SRFDCL_Newsletter_Dec_2019.pdf
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/phase_2_brochure.pdf
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SRFDCL-presentation.pdf
- https://sabarmatiriverfront.com/river-promenade/

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