Interdependence

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Born out of the need for a residential area after the establishment of ISRO - Space Application Center, Ramdev Nagar is an elite residential zone. It is sandwiched between the prime city centers of ISRO and Satellite. Although overshadowed by the identity of an informal settlement, Ramdev Nagar is renowned for its residential societies and the commercial development on its periphery.

Predominantly residential in nature, Ramdev Nagar comprises of people from all ranges of economy. A trail through Ramdev Nagar will let us experience the diversity. The precinct has all household services readily available at the nodes, providing its occupants with all the necessities. A transition is seen in buildings towards the nodes to incorporate commercial use in the first and first floor while retaining its residential qualities. This plays a major role in influencing the street activities. The uniformly themed bungalows of gated communities form the character of some of the streets, while the informal settlements and apartments dominate the others.

The following compilation is a study of all the factors that shaped the Precinct. Starting with the major determinants of change it continues to explain the changes they caused and the interdependence of these factors. This complex web of interdependence in the elements has been laid out in the form of a map and will guide us through the report.

Each part attempts to analyze a specific attribute of the area either physical or social supported by documentation and case studies.

All graphics, maps and charts included in the portfolio have been drafted, rendered and generated by me and any foreign reference has been sourced and duly credited.

V Sri Mallika Vyshnavi PG181051 Foundation Studio (Semester -1) Faculty of Planning

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1970

1975

1980

2001

2010-2012

Vikram Sarabhai laid the foundation stone for ISRO-Space Application Centre in 1962, in an area that would later get its name from this establishment. This institution triggered a shift of residential in the proximity, but the road network and public Transport were yet to be allotted.

By the year 1975, informal settlements have formed around the ISRO employed as the service class in the institute. Two other worked based settlements followed and remain intact until this date. The informal settlement was the first residential development in Ramdev Nagar.

The land use rapidly shifted from agriculture to residential. Plots have been demarcated and sold to developers. This character of residential societies is prevalent to this day and dominates the individual residences.

Satyagrah Chhavni was the first of this trend.

With the exponential growth in residential sector and the infrastructure was slowly being provided Ramdev Nagar was in the center of growth. In 2001, Fun republic, the first multiplex of Ahmedabad was proposed in Ramdev Nagar . This marked the beginning of Commercialiazation

Under TP Scheme: Vejalpur-6, Ramdev Nagar was equipped with wider roads and infrastructure. The BRTS that came in in the year 2012 further increased the land value and changed the typology of building adjoining main roads. Commercialization led to employment generation and improvement in facilities led to better quality of life.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar |Transformation of Ramdev Nagar

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Land and Built Forms

Connectivity

Public Realm

Infrastructure Economy

The mapping represents the interdependence of the factors and how , although in separate timelines the factors worked together towards shaping the precinct. Their interdependence is further simplified into chapters to be studied in detail.

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PART -1 Land And Built Forms 1.1 Land Charecteristics 1.2 Built Form 1.3 Housing

8-9 10-11 12-15

Chapter 1 : Land and Built Forms Outline Starting with the Correlation between the physical Characteristics of Land like Land Use, FSI and Jantri, the chapter studies the affecting factors and their consequences. Further proceeding to the Built form, it explores the evolution of built form, the typology of buildings and Massing. The patterns between typology and height, typology and land prices have been talked about. Moving forward into the built form, the predominant typology of Residential is studied in detail. Characteristics of residences, age, typology, the pattern of evolution and how it correlates with the overall evolution of landforms have been studied. The relation between the massing with the landform and how this varies with the changing typology of buildings is laid in the form of a matrix. The wide spectrum of Housing and preferences of people changing with income levels and size of dwelling units has been mapped with reference to the 40 household samples collected and extrapolated to understand the patterns.

Fig : 1.1(c) Land Prices

Interdependence The shift of land use from agriculture to residential with the establishment of ISRO Space Application Center was the beginning of the trend. ISRO acted as a pull factor bringing in more and more people, this is reflected in the evolution of built form and slow but steady transformation of the precinct. After Satyagrah Chhavni (the first gated community of Ramdev Nagar), this change increased exponentially.

The development curve from here, with hand in hand with the built form evolution. Land Prices increased subsequently, TP Scheme had provided better infrastructure and increased the FSI. High Rise Apartments were prevalent in the area from the late 90’s. But, the segregation and allotment of big parts of land into societies led to the development of gated communities with High End detached housing. This restricted the complete use of FSI. Ground Coverage of independent houses being more than that of apartments, the land value of the area kept increasing with the decrease in land for greenfield development. This was also the guiding factor for apartments being the next predominant typology. The increase in demand for housing and a cap on the available land led to high rise apartments.

Fig : 1.1(b) FSI

Fig : 1.1(a) Land Use

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar |Chapter 1: Land and Built Forms | 1.1 Land Charecteristics

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Case A: Building Typology: Government Housing Walkable distance from the SG Highway and a road width of 18m, the plot stands out with the highest price and lowest FSI. While the ownership and purpose of the plot are reflected in the FSI, the plot can be read as a sparsely planned low rise residential unit.

Case B: Building Typology: High Rise Apartment With an FSI as high as 3, this new development of Ramdev Nagar has relatively lower land value owing to the distance from the main roads. With the Block perimeters of the precinct as high as 1600m, walkability is a major factor that influences the demand for land.

Case C: Building Typology: Shopping Mall DevArc Shopping Mall on the SG Highway facing the ISKON junction is one among the most happening commercial outlets of the city. With an FSI of 4.5, this commercial plot has a medium land value. This is in contrary to the general trend of increasing land value with a proximity to major road or public transport.

Case D: Building Typology: Informal Settlement One among the three informal settlements in Ramdev Nagar, this establishment dates back to late 1960’s and has witnessed the evolution of the precinct. The plot has relatively lower land price than that of its neighbours.

This can be interpreted as a result of the plot retaining its settlement despite being equipped with a higher FSI and direct approach from the main road in the later years of development.

Case E: Building Typology: High Rise Apartment Situated on the Ramdev Nagar road, this case highlights two residential plotsone with a high rise apartment the other with a low rise apartment. Variation in the typology of these building is the second factor that resulted in varying Land prices.

This case shows the interdependence of Building Height, Building Typology with Land value.

Fig : 1.1(a) Correlating Land Charecteristics Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 1: Land and Built Forms | 1.1 Land Charecteristics

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Built Form Analysis - Built Vs Open

Fig : 1.2(b) The above map shows the existing figure ground of Ramdev Nagar

Evolution and Characteristics: Gated Communities were the prevalent built typologies till 2000 and this is further supported by the map depicting the evolution of road network.

(Fig : 102(a)). Road Networks and Built forms can be closely associated as they have worked together towards the development of the area. Development of the Satellite road, in 2001 and commercialization of the stretch marked the change in building typologies in the precinct. Fun republic can be referred to as the first commercial complex of both Ahmadabad and Ramdev Nagar. With this came Gulmohar Mall, Dev Arc Complex and the other chain of commercial buildings on Satellite Road. Development of SG Highway further encouraged this thread of commercial Spaces in Ramdev Nagar.

Meanwhile, between 2005 and 2010 the precinct underwent rapid development in terms of built form and has up to 78% of today’s building density. The next eight years from 2010 - 2018 have mostly been developments in the very few remaining land parcels.

In spite of 70%-30% proportion of built vs open, the abundance of independent bungalows with individual open spaces has led to a decrease in common open spaces in the precinct. With only two vacant plots and two plots under construction, the scope for greenfield development in Ramdev Nagar is narrowed. This is reflected in the increasing gap between the jantri rates and the market value for the land.

Fig : 1.2(a) Evolution of Built Form Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar |Chapter 1: Land and Built Forms | 1.2 Built Form

percentage of overall development in the maps are with * The consideration to the existing built form as 100% 10

Massing

Fig : 1.2(c) Building Typology Housing Typologies

Fig : 1.2(d) Building Heights Building Typology Although Apartments cater for 55% of the population in the precinct, in reference to the building use map, Semi Detached housing is the most common typology in Ramdev Nagar.

This variation is based on the number of dwelling units in each typology. Informal Settlements is the second prevalent type of building. The typology of building has been observed to be varying with the width of the adjoining road.

Another important character of built form in Ramdev Nagar is the Mixed Use Apartments at the nodes. Buildings incorporated commercial sectors in the first two floors of the building and residential above it.

Building Heights Semi-attached bungalows being the most common typology 0.9 is the mode FSI observed in Ramdev Nagar. Despite the revision in permissible FSI extending it to 4, the existing FSI in the precinct ranges from 0.05-3.5. This can be inferred as a consequence of the lack of land.

Highrise apartments were part of the initial development of the precinct and can be recognized as the only typology to have completely used the provided FSI.Asavari apartments, one of the oldest constructions in the precinct is a fine example for the same.

The predominant building type across the city varies from a Highrise apartment on the north-west to row houses on the northeast, indicating the chronological order in which they have been developed. In developed areas like Navrangpura where low rise bungalows have been the predominant typology, a strategic increase in the limit for FSI allowed for the redevelopment of these plots and catered for the demand. This cycle of demand and supply led to the increase in jantri prices.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 1: Land and Built Forms | 1.2 Built Form

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Housing Characteristics Fig : 1.3(a)

Fig : 1.3(c)

Fig : 1.3(b) 55% of the population in Ramdev Nagar comes under Apartments, but only 15% of the precinct is covered under this typology. This indicates the abundance of high rise apartments.

Comparing the age of buildings with the typology, it can be stated that gated communities and societies were the first stage of development in the precinct.

Row Houses the second dominant typology, this again can be related to the age of buildings. In the early 2000s when the built fabric of the precinct was beginning to get denser, the prevalent typology was detached housing and this translated into denser low rise developments- Row houses.

This trend continues to this day and the next preferred typology is slowly shifting to High Rise Apartments.

Fig : 1.3(d)

Following the evolution of road network and infrastructure (refer Fig : 2.1(b)), 59% of the existing built form had been constructed before 2000. The shift in preferred building typology from detached to rowhouses and now to the apartment has also begun at the same time. Increasing facilities acted as a pull factor for the people and increase in demand led to the change in typology. Despite the changing trends, 68% of the construction of the residential sector in Ramdev Nagar comes under gated communities and reflects the strong dominance of the past over the present.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar |Chapter 1: Land and Built Forms | 1.3 Housing

Fig : 1.3(e)

With a major contribution from the high rise apartments, rowhouses and the three informal settlements in the area, the population density of Ramdev Nagar is 356 PPH, pushing it towards the higher end of the density gradient in Ahmedabad. In the 30% built area of the precinct, apartments contribute up to 33% in ground coverage and 55% of the total population.

Correlating the density map with the age of buildings it can be inferred that the buildings built in the recent times have relatively higher density.

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Fig : 1.3(f ) Building Matrix Comparision between the Floor Space Index and the ground coverage of buildings across typologies gives more informed understanding on the massing of Built Form.

The above matrix depicts that the detached housing is the prevalent built form following the average FSI of 1.2 in

the precinct. Schematically explaining the relation, it can be stated that the FSI and Ground coverage are inversely proportional to each other where one increases with the decrease in the other, and different typologies can be identified in this variation.

Fig : 1.3(g)

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 1: Land and Built Forms | 1.3 Housing

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Charecteristics Ramdev Nagar presents a housing spectrum ranging from informal settlements to High rise apartments and their corresponding prices varying from 10 Lakhs to 2 crores.

Major factors that influenced the price of units are the approach to the building, Area, Age of the building and the demand. Row houses occupying 17% of the total buildings have started developing along with the establishment of ISRO. This character is distinctly visible in row houses and thus the wide range (10 Lakhs- 1 Crore).

Apartments being the predominant typology

contribute up to 55% of the total population and even this typology offers a wide range of options for people across income groups.(50,000 per month to 2,00,000 per month).

Ramdev nagar maintains a average household size of 4.1, the per capita area and the income.

Legality The dominance of Gated communities and societies from the initial stages of development.

Rowhouses and semi-detached houses were the most common typology among these communities. 68% of the construction in the precinct

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar |Chapter 1: Land and Built Forms | 1.3 Housing

has been delivered through developers following all the stipulated regulations. This left very little scope for individual expansion into setbacks and roads. All the building in the precinct follows the permissible FSI. Ramdev Nagar tekra has defined the character of part of the precinct for more than 50 years now. Most recently, TP Scheme has proposed a road through this informal settlement as an attempt to discard it. This led to protests against the government and the proposal has been temporarily called off.

Fig : 1.3(h) Housing Spectrum

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Fig : 1.3(i)

Fig : 1.3(k)

Fig : 1.3(j)

Fig : 1.3(l)

The above graphs are based on the detailed study of 40 households in Ramdev Nagar and are used to map the interdepence between Unitprice, Area of Dwelling Unit, Monthly income of the household and the percapita area per household.

It can be inferred that with an average household size of 4.1 people in Ramdev nagar prefer to live in apartments a per capita floor space of 10-40 Sqm. The relation between approach, age and the price of the property can be identified in Fig : 1.3(l). This can further be noted in Fig : 13.(i), that these factors have reflected where detached and semi detached properties are seen in Low income groups as well.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 1: Land and Built Forms | 1.3 Housing

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Chapter -2 Connectivity 2.1 Evolution 2.2 Ease of Movement 2.3 Travel Patterns

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Road Network Fig : 2.1(a) Evolution of Road Network

Chapter 2 : Connectivity Outline Beginning with analyzing the Evolution of Road Network and the factors that triggered it, this chapter discusses the approach to Ramdev Nagar, ease of movement within the precinct and the travel patterns of its residents. Ease of Movement has been further segregated into pedestrian, vehicular and public transport. And these individually talk about the difficulties and possibilities of the existing network supported by examples and comparison with the neighbour precincts. The travel patterns of the residents have been segregated into two major categories - Income Group based and Purpose based. This analysis is based on the 40 household surveys and has been extrapolated to the scale of Ramdev Nagar.

Studying the evolution of Road network, it can be inferred that although the shift from agricultural plots to residential has started in the late 60s, there was only one major road with other informal trails. With government intervention and a subsequent demand from the housing sector, the road network of Ramdev Nagar under TP Scheme Vejalpur-6, has evolved and now occupies17.85% of the area.

Link Node ratio is used to understand the level of connectivity in a specific area. Owing to the private gated communities that are spread all over the site, the roads with complete public access are limited. With a low value of nodes and links, Ramdev Nagar boasts a link node ratio of 1:1 which cannot be considered as a fair indicator of connectivity.

Interdependence Growing along with the demand for housing, the road network of Ramdev Nagar worked along with the evolution of built form. It can be said that they are intertwined and would not have been possible in isolation. The effect of Satyagrah Chhavni (the first gated community of Ramdev Nagar) on the road network is evident and has greatly affected the movement in the precinct. The urban blocks have grown in size owing to the trend of gated communities.

Development of SG Highway and the Satellite Road affected the land use inculcating the commercial sector and this factor reflected in the new roads proposed.

The TP Scheme had provided better infrastructure and converted the temporary trails into permanent roads. The roads widths later kept increasing with the increase in footfall and demand. The market land price of plots is greatly influenced by the width and the condition of the adjoining road. Allocation of BRTS in the year 2012 increased the connectivity of the precinct to the city. This affected the overall road capacity and acted as a pull factor for more footfall.

Fig : 2.1(b) Hierarchy of Road Network Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar |Chapter 2 : Connectivity |2.1 Evolution

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Ease of Movement - Pedestrian

Comparing the block Sizes of Ramdev Nagar and Jodhpur gam, it can be stated that the type of development greatly influences the size of Urban Plots.

Although similar in character, in relativity to Ramdev Nagar, Jodhpur has a lower dominance of gated communities on the road network and this is reflected in its huge variation in block sizes from 250sqm to 2,00,000 sqm.

Fig : 2.2(c) Pedestrian Movement :North blocks In order to analyse the ease of pedestrian movement inside the precinct, the walking distances and the increasing gap with their air distance has been depicted. Keeping in mind the decrease in block sizes towards the south of the precinct, this analysis has been seperated into north and south parts.

Case A : Pedestrian distance is thrice the Air Distance.

Case B : Pedestrian distance is twice the Air Distance.

To further correlate the block sizes in the north and south it can be stated that the grain size is larger on the north and this is supported by the figure-ground analysis and the building typologies on these plots. (refer Fig:1.2(b),1.2(c))

Fig : 2.2(a) Urban Block Areas

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 2 : Connectivity | 2.2 Ease of Movement

Fig : 2.2(b)

Fig : 2.2(d) Pedestrian Movement :Souh blocks 19

Available Routes and Adequacy

Ease of Movement - Public Transport

Connectors: The ISKON Temple junction is the major node and the meeting point for all the routes connecting Ramdev Nagar to the city. Karnavati Club and Jodhpur Road are the secondary connectors to the precinct.

With 49% of residents in the high-income group that prefer a private vehicle and a close proximity to work there is a decrease in the need for public transport. The available routes are mostly used by the Low Medium Income groups on a daily basis.

The route map below depicts the bus routes and importance of Satellite Road in connecting the precinct to the City.

Fig : 2.2(e) Key Map: Distance to Bus Stops

Fig : 2.2(g) Accessibility to Public Transport

Fig : 2.2(h)

Fig : 2.2(f ) Route Map to Major Landmarks of the city Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar |Chapter 2 : Connectivity | 2.2 Ease of Movement

Access to Public Transport in Ramdev Nagar The 1 Sq Km of Ramdev Nagar doesn’t have a marked stop for public transport but is part of multiple bus routes connecting Satelite road to Jodhpur.With a BRTS line running on its peripherey the minimum walking distance to the public transport amenities has relatively decreased but only 17% of the residentns live in the 5 minute walk periphery (Fig : 2.2(h)). This is because of the sparsely distributed residents and the commercial front on the north.

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Ease of Movement - Vehicular

Traffic Analysis

The line width depicts the hierarchy of traffic flow from the road.

Fig : 2.2(j) Traffic Analysis - Ramdev Nagar Char Rasta

Fig : 2.2(i) Traffic Analysis - Ramdev Nagar

Overall Traffic Analysis - Ramdev nagar Peak Hours: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM; 19:00 PM - 21:30 PM The traffic inside the precinct of Ramdev nagar is influenced by multiple factors like Building Typologies : In an otherwise calm residential zone, traffic is mostly concentrated around the school zone and office buildings.Mixed use apartments with commercial activity are also a prime reason. (Refer Fig : 3.1(c)) Street vendors: The entrance into Ramdev nagar from the Satellite road experiences traffic in the major part of the day as the Right of Way has been affected by the encroachment of street vendors. The informal Settlements adjoining this road have used the edge as an extension and inturn cause tarffic.

Street Condition : With only 36% of road network divided by medians, and 22% equipprieed with footpaths, the carraige way is effected by pedestrians and the traffic violators. Lack of a traffic signal inside the precinct is another reason for increasing traffic.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 2 : Connectivity |2.2 Ease of Movement

The following analysis has been presented based on a detailed analysis of traffic flow at three different times of the day to understand the peak times and establish an average.

Pull Factors: Alternate route onto SG highway from Satellite road. Mixed Use character of the junction and the informal vendors that open up in th evenings.

Negative Outcomes: Lack of designated spaces for these informal vendors, they cause distrurbances and are sources for conflict points. Unsupervised junction is the major reason for the traffic conjestion in Ramdev Nagar Char Rasta.

These above drawbacks have been taken up to solve and a schmatic design solution is presented in Fig : 3.4(d).

Fig : 2.2(k) Conflict Points

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Income based Travel Patterns

Fig : 2.3(a)

Fig : 2.3(c)

Fig : 2.3(e)

Fig : 2.3(g)

Fig : 2.3(b)

Fig : 2.3(d)

Fig : 2.3(f )

Fig : 2.3(h)

Correlating the increasing motorized trips with the increasing length - the trip length covered by people of different income groups shows that most of the trips

covered by High income groups are less than 2.5 km and have been covered on 2 or 4 wheelers. Fig : 5.1(m) Trip have been covered by non motorized mode upto

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar |Chapter 2 : Connectivity |2.3 Travel Patterns

2.5 km distance, most of which constitute of work trips of low income households and education trips across all incomes. Fig : 2.3(m). With 49% of residents belonging

to high income group (Fig : 5.1(a)) and less demand for public transport there is an increase in ownership of two wheelers and four wheelers. Fig : 5.1(m) 22

Purpose based Travel Patterns

Fig : 2.3(i)

Fig : 2.3(j)

Fig : 2.3(k)

Fig : 2.3(l)

Observations

Observations

Observations

Observations

People of Low Medium Income and Medium High Income tend to travel the longest for work.

People of High Income group choose to live closer to their work place - In a radius of 2 km.

Ramdev Nagar has adequate number of primary and secondary schools and most of the residents prefer a 2 km proximity.

Universities and International Schools are the outliers and are observed occasionally.

With Multiplexes (Gulmohar Mall, Mukta), Shopping Complexes (Star Bazaar) in a radius of 2 kms the occasional social trips are to Riverfront and Kankaria Lake and mostly covered on 4 wheelers.

Other Trips constitute the trips to hospitals and are mostly escort trips to the temple or a school. They are covered on 2 wheelers.

Fig : 2.3(m) Trip Distribution based on Purpose.

The travel patterns of Ramdev Nagar have been presented based on 40 household surveys conducted. It has been linked with the employment patterns and job generators with in the precinct for the better understanding of the kind of jobs generated and preferences of people to work inthe proximity.

Each household of the precinct displays a varied pattern of trips per day, despite the diversity, there is a certain pattern followed. With an average trip rate of 5.45 per household and 3.6km of average motorized trip length, each households in the precinct has recorded a minimum of one trip per day. the purpose and mode changes with each family.

Example : A family with children below 18 years irrespective of their income level recorded a minimum of two trips to the school and two trips to work. Escort trips have been observed in families with children below 15 years and elder above 60 years. A family without kids (Retired Couple) has recorded weekly trip instead of daily and stand as a outliers.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 2 : Connectivity | 2.3 Travel Patterns

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Chapter -3 Public Realm 3.1 Street Activities 3.2 Public, Semi Publis Spaces 3.3 Case Study : Ramdev Nagar Char Rasta 3.4 Informal Sector

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Chapter 3 : Public Realm Outline This chapter analyses the public life of Ramdev Nagar, the interaction spaces and commercial spaces are studied. Analysis of the public realm in Ramdevnagar speaks about the transformation of a private space into a semi-public one rather than the usage of the public spaces provided. Instead of a clear black and white for private and public use, the residents of the precinct chose to introduce a grey area to interact in. This distinct character has been mapped along with the street activities overall. With the decrease in public spaces, the road has turned out to be the only accessible space and thus the building edge has a great impact on the street character. To further understand the street character, the major node - Ramdev Nagar char rasta has been studied. The chapter further explores the informal sector of commercial activities and a offers a proposal to better incorporate these inevitable spaces into the road network to avoid congestion.

Interdependence Responding to the basic necessities, the public spaces of Ramdev nagar have taken a back seat when considered in relation to the devlopment of other attributes like road network, infrastructure. The dominace of gated communities is distinctly visible in the precinct as the interaction spaces have been shifted inwards and the communities have been planned in a way to inversely face the roads.

Development of Satellite road and SG Highway and the establishment of Fun Republic had shifted the focus from residential development to commercial for a short span. This brought in a series of designated commercial development on the staellite road adding to the interaction spaces.. Proposal of BRTS immensely affected the land prices of plots adjoining the main road and caused a shift from residential to commercial. AMC garden, the only developed public space of the precinct was not developed til 2014 and started functioning from 2016.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 3 : Public Realm |3.1 Street Activities

Fig : 3.1(a) Mapping Street Activities

Fig : 3.1(b) Building Edge Analysis

Fig : 3.1(c) Building Use Distribution - Ground Floor

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Fig : 3.1(c) Activity Mapping

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 3 : Public Realm | 3.2 Public, Semi Publis Spaces

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Case Study : Street Activities

Fig : 3.3(e)

Ramdev Nagar Char Rasta experiences higher footfall than the AMC Garden and thus has been chosen as the case study to analyse the public activities in the area.

Supported by the traffic analysis (Fig : 2.2(j), 2.2(k)), it can be inferred that the Ramdev Nagar Char Rasta is a rather busy junction and is most active in the evenings and the peak traffic hours. The time based informal vendors on four sides of the junction (Fig : 3.4(a),(b),(c)) and the mixed use buildings at the junction (Fig : 1.2(c))that open unto the road inviting people, shape the character of the street. Analysis of the lux levels at the junction further supports the importance of it in the area. Amidst the positive outcomes of the interactive junction, it does face problems of congestion due to unmonitored traffic flow leading to multiple unpleasant experiences.

Fig : 3.3(b)

Fig : 3.3(c)

Fig : 3.3(d)

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 3 : Public Realm |3.3 Case Study : Ramdev Nagar Char Rasta

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Informal Vendors Informal vendors are an important part of the economy and they record an economy of approximately 25 lakhs per month (75 informal vendors; Monthly income of 30,000 has been estimaed based on the detailed case study of two informal vendors ), which surpasses the annual income of a low income resident. A sector that big in scale has been neglected and distributed unevenly throughout the precinct and at nooks and corners, sometimes on the major junctions causing serious congestion in the peak hours. (Fig : 2.2(k))

Design Proposal

The following pictures are a window into the informal vending sector in Ramdev Nagar.

Fig : 3.4(a)

Fig : 3.4(b)

Below is a proposal of incorporating the informal vending on to the sides of roads without affecting its right of way by a mere reallocation of width and maintenance. In the proposal, all the existing amenities have been retained and additional space for vending has been allocated at regular interval to regularize this sector.

Key Map Fig : 3.4(e)

Ramdev Nagar being known for its residential communities offers a bigmarket for the hawkers and temporary stalls. Although their access is restricted to outside the gate, hawkers are a regular here.

Fig : 3.4(c)

Fig : 3.4(d) Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 3 : Public Realm | 3.4 Informal Sector

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Chapter- 4 Infrastructure 4.1 Sewerage and Storm Water Network 4.2 Solid Waste Mangement

32 33

Outline With a population of 35,615, the area of Ramdev Nagar has been analysed for the solid waste management, water supply, sewerage system and stormwater system. This chapter is a breif overlook of the existing infrastructure facilities and their adequacy. Sewerage, Storm water line, Solid waste managemnet have been studied in detail and capacity of each facility is calculated and analysed against the recquirement in the precinct. this analysis is dependent on the population and consumption patterns. Both these charecteristics have been estimated as per the surveys and standards.

Interdependence

Sewarage and Storm Water Network

Chapter 4 : Infrastructure

Fig : 4.1(a)

Fig : 4.1(b)

The infrastructure services in Ramdev Nagar evolved along with the evolution of the road network. With a dominance of gated communities, the development of infrastructure services inside them has been separated from that of the public roads and is managed independently by the private authorities of respective communities.

Although developed before the gated communities infrastructure service have not reached the informal settlements until 2001 and 2003 after government intervention.

The length of the road network is directly proportional to the length of roads.

The TP Scheme - Vejalpur 6 had provided better infrastructure and the existing lines were renewed. The GSR and ESR tank supplying water for the precinct has also been updated in 2015 and now has a capacity of 25,00,000 litres serving 1/3rd of the population in one cycle.

All these developments are a result of an increase in population and demand for services.

Fig : 4.1(c)

90% of the road network is equipped with a sewerage system. Owing to a majority in gated communities, this system is further layered into public and private. The main public sewerage line runs along the public roads and branches out into the private communities.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 4 : Infrastructure | 4.1 Sewerage and Storm Water Network

The sewer system of Ramdev Nagar evolved with time and transformed from a dense system laid down on either side of the road (Fig : 4.1(c))to manholes on a single side and scope for addition with future development.This is reflected in the pattern of the manholes laid.

The Storm water lines are laid as per the contours and one complete stretch with a natural slope has been excluded from the storm water line.

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Total No. of Dustbins: 232 Total Capacity of Bins: 26,225 L Total Population : 35,615 Average waste produced per person : 0.4 kg/day Estimated Waste : 14,250 L/day Availability- 45% in abundance

Fig : 4.2(c) Route Mapping

Fig : 4.2(a) Effect on ROW

Fig : 4.2(b) Mapping Garbage Bins Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 4 : Infrastructure | 4.2 Solid Waste Mangement

The solid waste management system in the precinct has a structured hierarchy in the collection and disposal of garbage. The biggest bins have been strategically positioned on the main roads to avoid interference in the right of way, this has been depicted in the provided section (Fig : 4.2(a)).

Despite the 45% abundance in the availability of bins, open dumping has been observed on vacant plots and footpaths indicating an unplanned placement of bins.

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Chapter - 5 Economy 5.1 People and their choices

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Chapter 5 : Economy

Ramdev Nagar is known as one among the elite residential parts of Ahmadabad. The ever-increasing property and land prices have heavily benefited the people who have invested in the area before 2000. The rising demand for housing and the choice of people to stay in the proximity of work despite the prices has increased the rental value of Ramdev Nagar.

Outline Falling in the higher end of the economic group in Ahmedabad, Ramdev Nagar is an elite residential area. Starting with the income distribution in the precinct, the chapter goes on to study the intertwined factors of job generators, the nature of the job, income variation depending on the nature of job. It later depicts the relation between monthly income, housing preferences and their consumption patterns. It talks about the ownership of assets and how it affects the everyday activities in the life of an individual.

Fig : 5.1(a)

Interdependence

Economy includes employment generation, income levels, ownership of assets and their choice of lifestyle. Quality of living in an area is affected by all the above factors. Major trigger points from 1960-2018, that has switched the economy from agriculture based to an elite residential area are establishment of ISRO, Space Application Center, Commercialization of the Satellite road and SG highway roads. Proposal of BRTS that raised the land value and caused a shift of building typology on the main roads to mixed-use or completely commercial outlets.

The commercial character is more visible on the periphery of the precinct and the outlets inside the precinct are limited to small-scale offices, food outlets and retail stores for household necessities.

Fig : 5.1(b)

With the development of SG Highway, DevArc complex and Gulmohar mall had further grown in popularity and in 2015 Novotel and Model Corporate office were added to this list increasing the commercial value. These acting as pull factors there has been a higher demand for housing and despite the significant rise in land and property prices, has been rising. This is an indicator of the quality of life and people’s choices in the precinct.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 5 : Economy | 5.1 People and their choices

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Fig : 5.1(f )

Fig : 5.1(e) Fig : 5.1(c)

Fig : 5.1(g)

The above flowchart is a visual representation of how one factor led to another to finally shape the character of the economy in the area. The dominance of the residential sector led to the generation of household-based jobs,

that have benefitted the 26% of the Low-income group(Fig:5.1(a)). And the other job centres were limited to small-scale retail outlets and offices that have been incorporated as a part of the residential establishment.

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 5 : Economy |5.1 People and their choices

Fig : 5.1(h)

This is reflected in the nature of jobs available which variety offered by this typology and property value being further effects the earning capacity of the employee. affected by factors like age and approach has made it The relation between household income and housing affordable to people from all income groups. preferences indicates a dominance by apartments. The 37

Case Study : 1 Fig : 5.1(j)

Case Study : 2 Fig : 5.1(k)

The graph represents the monthly expenditure of people with different monthly income. It can be noted that irrespective of the income group, health is a prevalant expense throughout in diffrent scales.

Fig : 5.1(i)

Fig : 5.1(l)

Understanding the City | Ramdev Nagar | Chapter 5 : Economy | 5.1 People and their choices

Fig : 5.1(m)

As an extension of the consumption pattern graph, vehicle ownership analyses the preference of people.

Ownership of vehicles is lower in Low-income groups owing to the factor of affordability. It has been noticed that people that fall under Low Income and Low medium income group show a preference to work within 2 km of the house, decreasing their need for motorized transport.

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Located in the west zone of Ahmedabad, Ramdev Nagar began developing after the establishment of ISRO- SAC in 1970. It falls in the initial stages of the growth curve of Ahmedabad that ranges from the establishment of institutions by Sarabhai’s to the proposal of Riverfront development, BRTS and Metro. Privatization of land from agricultural plots marked the beginning of gated communities like Satyagrah Chhavani in the precinct. The rapid change that followed was catered to, by developing the services under TP Scheme (Vejalpur-6) between 2000-2005. “Interdependence� of each characteristic on one another be it physical or social has shaped Ramdev Nagar into an efficient residential community and this interrelation is evident in every study of its features. Figuratively speaking, the structure and functioning of Ramdev Nagar can be compared to that of a play, where land is the stage, typology of buildings are different characters who carry an individual storyline of FSI and price. All this run or produced by the audience and a financer - occupants and the government who are in turn benefitted by the results like the quality of life and income generation. Infrastructure services as the backstage managers running the show in the dark. All these factors perform collectively to put a show and cannot be experienced or developed in isolation.

With the shift of Central Business District to Satellite Area, this graph of demand has been growing exponentially and estimated to continue. Repeated choice of quality of life over the price of the property is a fine indicator to conclude the efficiency of Ramdev Nagar. Availability of all basic necessities in the immediate neighbourhood and proximity to the major commercial centre is the major pull factors. A quick analysis of these strengths can credit the efficient features while pointing out the factors with a need for betterment.

Infrastructure and road network of the precinct has a scope of development to further increase the efficiency.

Looking at a bigger picture, when studying areas like Navrangpura and Shyamlal Crossroads where a similar high demand led to the redevelopment of typologies, the next step for Ramdev Nagar appears to be the same.

Redevelopment of low rise built form to put in use the unused FSI( Floor Space Index) and exploit it to its full potential. Glances of this can already be seen in the growing preference for high-density housing developmentsApartments. Having said that, Ramdev Nagar has not yet reached that mark of saturation to trigger redevelopment in that scale and appears to be capable to accomodate the developments for the next 5 years.(Hypothetical assumption) V Sri Mallika Vyshnavi PG181051 Foundation Studio (Semester -1) Faculty of Planning

V Sri Mallika Vyshnavi PG181051 Foundation Studio (Semester -1) Faculty of Planning