Western Fringe of Ahmedabad

Ghatlodia, in north-west Ahmedabad, is considered as one of the evolving peri-urban area. In recent years, Ghatlodia has surpassed other peripheral fringes in its affordability quotient as well as demand for housing. Multiple factors have been the driving forces behind Ghatlodia’s growth into a self-sustainable residential hub. The portfolio tries to identify the various factors that led to the growth of this fringe and its real estate market. This will also include the determinants in the transformation cycle of Ghatlodia from the peri-urban area to the integrated part of the city. Further, the portfolio showcases the dynamics through built form, land use patterns, availability of services, accessibility, and economic factors. Folio will also unfold the notion of affordability. It will cover the altering market prices, the Jantri rate, and the opportunities available for the Ghatlodia’s future growth, amongst others.

The quality of built environment and the spatial factors that contribute to the built environment is central to the fields of Planning. To gain a better insight into this relationship, it is essential to understand the functioning of major contributing factors that affect the spatial infrastructure of the city. Ghatlodia has steadily turned into one of the largest fringe areas of Ahmedabad. Having been inhabited for over half a century, it is one of the few places around the city which can still boast of a cosmopolitan residential culture. Ghatlodia has mixed type of morphology. The rural-urban fringe, in the real sense is a narrow zone with varying width outside the political boundaries of an urban unit which is neither urban nor rural in character. Ahmedabad is undergoing rapid urbanization process with the fast-changing land cover in its periphery. Largely, migration from the hinterland as well as the internal growth of population has contributed to this phenomenon. With the number of people streaming into Ahmedabad increasing every day, the real estate in Ghatlodia too has begun to see a sudden rise. Owing to its strategic location and provision of good civic amenities, Ghatlodia has witnessed high growth.

Ghatlodia precinct is converting into a contemporary built form. transformation from low rise density to high rise density can be seen through the journey of Ghatlodia. From row houses and semidetached houses which were present earlier, the precinct is now seeing more of Highrise apartments. In the last decade the vacant lands have developed majorly into Highrise apartments. The older 2 storied row houses are now being redeveloped into the newer residential form. As a result, people from the nearby areas are making a choice to settle in the Ghatlodia neighbourhood. This is bringing a change in the socio-economic fabric of the precinct, as the more middle-income groups are settling down here as compared to lower and lower middle-income groups. This in-turn is bringing the change in the in the related fields such as commerce. The precinct presently consists of small commercial units along the road on the ground floor. This is a typical character of middle-income neighbourhood. As of now we can see few commercial complexes and other concentrated commercial activities springing up which cater to the upcoming middle-income group. We can thus infer that the social economic fabric of the precinct is changing, although still it remains affordable. With all the amenities and upbringing infrastructure, this area is attracting more people with its affordability. It is now being a self-sustainable neighbourhood.