[Sample] Sabarmati Riverfront Redevelopment Phase II

Reclaiming the River's Edge

The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project is one of the most ambitious urban-waterfront reclamation efforts in Indian planning history. Phase II extended the original 10.5 km southern embankment northward by a further 9.5 km, stitching together a continuous public edge from the historic pols of the walled city to the newer residential neighbourhoods of the northern precincts.

The design approach centred on a graduated section: a hardscaped lower promenade for pedestrians and cyclists, a landscaped mid-level terrace for informal gathering, and a planted upper embankment that absorbs monsoon surges. Six new pedestrian bridges were inserted to connect the two banks, each designed by a different firm to create a family of structures that are visually coherent yet individually distinct.

“The river was always there, but the city had turned its back on it. This project simply turned the city around.”

— Principal Urban Designer, HCP Design & Project Management

The project delivered over 34 public gardens, three cultural pavilions, a heritage interpretation centre at the Gandhi Ashram edge, and 11 km of dedicated cycling infrastructure. The lower promenade alone attracts an estimated 85,000 users daily, making it one of the most-used pieces of urban public space in India.