The Gujarat government has recently returned 19 Local Area Plans (LAP) and the Central Business District (CBD) plan to the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), sparking a wave of uncertainty in urban planning. This move comes seven years after the submission by AUDA, following concerns raised by private landowners.
The Government’s notification on November 28, 2023, cited the need for modifications to the plans, primarily focusing on the public transport system, including the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and Metro Rail. The LAPs, covering approximately 18 sq km from Visat petrol pump to Vishala Circle in Ahmedabad, were submitted by AUDA in 2017 for government sanction. The CBD West, a proposed commercial hub along Ashram Road, spanning 5-6 km from Usmanpura to Ellisbridge, faced objections from private landowners. The concerns primarily revolved around proposed roads and their impact. CEO of AUDA, D P Desai, stated that representations from private landowners highlighted concerns, particularly regarding proposed roads in the LAPs. With the changing landscape of public transit systems, including the operational Metro, revisions to the LAPs have become necessary. The alignment of the Metro and changes in land use since the initiation of LAPs in 2012-13 require a comprehensive revision.
The LAPs had initially proposed a floor space index (FSI) of 4 for 18 areas and 5.4 for CBD West. The proposed incentives, including a higher FSI of 5.4 and changes in building height regulations, aimed to rejuvenate the CBD by leveraging connectivity through BRTS, the proposed Metro, and the Sabarmati Riverfront Project. The CBD West, designed by HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited, sought to transform the central area with increased FSI incentives, encouraging redevelopment.
As the AUDA awaits further clarification on required modifications, the urban planning landscape in Ahmedabad is poised for a potential transformation, aligning with evolving transit systems and the city’s development needs.
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