The Sabarmati River has always been important to the city. The city has been growing around the Sabarmati River for centuries since it was founded in the 15th century by the ruler Ahmed Shah.However, over the years the river has been neglected by the city. The river had lost it’s importance as the city has turned itimportance as the city has turned it’s back to it.In 1997, the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of theAhmedabad Municipal Corporation) commissioned EPC to prepare a comprehensive feasibility studyto develop a 9 km stretch of the city’s riverfront. EPC provided development management services to SRFDCto SRFDCL until 2002. During this period its mandate was to direct and monitor all the preparatory work. Since then HCPDPM has been responsible for the project’s architectural,urban and structural design. The riverfront project is a comprehensive environmental improvement project which involves river training, constructing retaining walls, providing storm water outfalls, retaining walls, providing storm water outfalls, ghats and jetties, reclaiming 200 hectares of land,providing interceptor sewers,creating parks and gardens, designing new streets & promenades with better street lighting,providing housing for economically weaker sections and informal markets and constructing utility buildings & structures.structures.I’ve been a part of this project since my graduation in 2006. I’ve worked with the team which made the 2007 & 2009 SRFD masterplan. Over the past 3 years I’ve not only worked on the master plan, but also on several other aspects of this project.My work on this project included design of the new retaining wall, design of various access pointsnew retaining wall, design of various access pointsto the river, planning of new infrastructure development for the project. Apart from designing & planning my work also included co-ordinating on site with clients & contractors. This project has been a great learning experience for me in the field of Urban Design, Planning & InfrastructureDevelopment & i have cherished everyDevelopment & i have cherished everymoment of it till this day and would like to continue in this field of work.

SRFD Master Plan - 1998

SRFD Master Plan - 2007

SRFD Master Plan - 2009

Another important aspect of the SRFD project isthe traffic planning of the new roads that are to be constructed to cater to the needs of the project & the city. Several studies of the existing traffic condition have been done in order to design the roads that would come up once the riverfront project is ready.The SRFD project has two major roads running North-South for a distance of 11Km on each bank.A 30M wide road runs on the East bank & 25M road on the west bank.

The SRFD project roads have to be linked to the existing road network of the city. The SRFD roads would run from the north-south and will be linked at regularintervals with the existing network.

The Roads have been designed giving priority to the needs of

pedestrians and cyclists.

Street furniture & lanscaping has also been considered in the street design.

Traffic Study Plan

Plan of Typical 24 M Right of Way for SRFDP

Plan of Typical 24 M Right of Way for SRFDP Section of Typical 24 M Right of Way for SRFDP View of Typical 24 M Right of Way for SRFDP

The above drawing shows the orginal course of the river with the sewage outfalls (BLUE) that dumped untreated sewage directly into the river which led to severe pollution of the river. The Yellow is the existing slums located on the banks of theriver. Thees slums have also been directly responsible in the pollution of this river.

In order for new development to come up, around 180 Ha of land has been reclaimed from the river. The banks of the riverhave also been made uniform for water to flow with lesser friction. Services such storm water drains & Trunk sewer lineshave been laid and connected to the existing sewage network in order to prevent the sewage from flowing directly into the river. The relaimed land will also have various other developments along the banks that cater to the need of the city.

One of the main goal of this project is to make this river open to the people of the city and create meaningful public spaces.This has been achived by creating several parks & gardens along the river bank. Other public institutions have also beenplanned in order to make the river more accessible to public.

Satellite Image of Sabarmati River in its orginal course

Night View of Kankaria Lake after it’s Inugration in December 2008

View of the Pushpakunj Plaza

View of the Toy Train & Promenade

The Kankaria Lake has been for centuries the one the most important landmark of Ahmedabad. The 15th century manmade lake is perfect circle and is an engineering marvel. Apart from its construction feats this lake has been a big attraction for the people of Ahmedabad. This lake is one of the largest places where people of the city can gather around and spend quality time. However over the years, this lake had begun to loose its quality and was neglected by the very people who once enjoyed its beauty.This proposal by HCPDPM envisions a comprehensive lakefront precinct, set in the heart of Ahmedabad, which will stand out as a memorable urban space. Its primary objective is to create an efficient, durable infrastructure that will foster entirely new uses in addition to supporting current day activities. Strategies include creating large pedestrian zones along the lake's edge, developing approximately 6 km of access streets, creating access points to the lakefront, enhancing recreational potential by improving public facilities, conserving historic buildings and encouraging overall development around it. The plan emphasizes on good design detailing for sidewalks, carriageways and on street parking, facilities for the informal sector and access ramps to the lake's ghats.

I’ve been associated with this project for over 3 months. My scope of work has been in the schematic design and working drawing stages. Apart from the working drawings I have given expert input on how to make the lake a barrier free environment for all.

The main idea behind the Street Design Manual (SDM) is to bring about a standardization of roads in India. This design manual is being published in collaboration with Institute of Transportation and Design Policy (ITDP). The manual will cater mainly to all the municipal corporations of various cities who are involved in the construction of roads in a city.One of the other important objectives of this manual is to give priority to pedestrians and cyclist on the road. Informal on road activities are also considered while designing of roads.

This project is currently at a schematic stage, where various road sections are being finalized. Street widths of 6, 7.5, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 M are being designed. Various elements in the street are also discussed and designed such as sidewalks, cycle lanes, on road parking, storm water drain, under ground services, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).Various materials for the design are also a partof the manual, which would help in understanding the pro’s and cons of each material when used in street construction.

I’ve been a part of the project since it began in June 2009; I’ve been involved in the design stages of the streets and also the book layout. The book due date is December 2009.

Apart from working on architectural & Urban Design projects, I’ve also been working with several NGO’s such as Unnati, Handicap International & Blind People’s Association in the field of Barrier Free Environment. I’m a trained & certified Accessibility auditor. The main scope of work as an accessibility auditor is that of doing an audit of the built auditor is that of doing an audit of the built environment and rating it in terms of accessible for all. We as architects also give simple proposals to the client on how their premises could be made barrier free for all. I’ve also trained several architecture trainees who have worked with me in the audits done. WWe have done several audits in and around Ahmedabad over the past few years. Some the important projects done by us are, Indian Institute of Management (IIM-A), AhmedabadGujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad CampusAhmedabad Railway Station, AhmedabadGujarat Gujarat Vidyapith, Sadra & Rankheda CampusPiswada Village (Rural Accessibility)Gargi College (Delhi University), New Delhi

Working on this field has been a very special experience for me. I have learnt about the hardships faced by people with disabilities in today’s built environment and how insensitive our approach is towards making a barrier free environment for all. towards making a barrier free environment for all. I have realized that as architects we have a moral responsibility towards the society and that we should stand above the rest and fulfil it.

Small changes in existingdesign can make a big difference to people withdisabilities.Here, a slope added can help in easy movement of wheelchair users, old peoplewheelchair users, old peopleand pregent woment.

Even though there is a provision for seperate railwaycoach for the disabled, the existing design makes it impossible for wheelchair userto access it.HereHere’s an affordable solutionwhich makes life a little moresimplier for the disabled.

Existing Condition Proposed Design

Existing Condition Proposed Design

Advancement in technology & innovative design can make life much more easier for the disabled and help in attain the goal of a barrier free environment.

Existing plan of Central Vista & Sachivalaya Campus, a very dull & boring development all around

A comprehensive redevelopment plan of the central vista & Sachivalaya campus will give the space its due importance

The 1960’s plan of Gandhinagar conceived a grand boulevard – the Central Vista, as the focal point of the city that would run on a north-west, south-east axis from the railway station to the Sabarmati River. The Vista was envisioned as a large public space for people to visit and enjoy. Unfortunately even forty years later, this vision has not been realised. The Central Vista lacks the experience of a central space. It is sparsely built with no attractions andincomplete roads. More importantly there is no binding vision and decision making system to ensure that opportunities are not squandered. The design concept identified the elements that work together to create an iconic space: Axis, Focal Point, Nodes, Edges, Movement, Activities, Meaning and Symbolism. These elements are used to restructure along with the design strategies comprising of streamlining the existing road network, creating an extensive pedestrian network and identifying a variety of land uses on the Central Vista axis. A comprehensive landscape strategy corresponding to the land use ranges fromecological to informal public areas. The design proposes a comprehensive vision that can guide the development of the Central Vista over time and make it a truly symbolic space.