Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is taking a step that would to some extent wash away the sins committed by civic planners leading to a disorderly growth. For the first time, the AMC would be practising, what they call, micro zoning in the area under Sabarmati riverfront project influence.

It means that the size and height of buildings will be governed by the existing skyline of that spot. The planners hope to create a “pleasing to the eye” effect when the multi-crore riverfront project is ready. The procedure does not involve scripting a new Floor Space Index (FSI) regulations for the area, but within the ambit of the existing development control regulations, the town planning department would decide the height of the buildings located close to the riverfront.

This would pertain to only upcoming projects along the riverfront influence zone. 18 micro zones have been earmarked around the riverfront.What the department would be looking at is a general distribution and pattern of building heights. This would in turn establish clear definition to the project edges and create a contextual relationship to the riverfront and its surroundings.

“Though the state urban development department would bring out a separate set of regulation for the riverfront, we are trying to set the house in order outside the riverfront area. Once the riverfront comes up every body would want to bring down their old constructions to make way for skyscrapers. We cannot allow such haphazard development anymore around it,” says a senior official of Sabarmati riverfront development corporation limited (SRFDCL).

“Public plazas and streetscape orient the development to the river and establish direct connections to the surrounding neighbourhoods and business districts. A haphazard development can ruin this. One also needs to look into the existing infrastructure at Ashram road, the drainage lines and other civic amenities in the area.” adds the SRFDCL official.

The basic purpose of the riverfront is the creation of large public spaces. The site will include a high-density, mixed-use development that responds to the surrounding areas. This also includes use of building height and architectural facade to highlight significant public spaces in the riverfront.

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