NEED OF RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT

AT SURAT

A Design / Research Thesis submitted to the

Bhagwan Mahavir College of Architecture, Surat

By

PATHAN MUZAMMILKHAN

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of

Bachelor of Architecture

For
GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

BHAGWAN MAHAVIR COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

BMEF CAMPUS, BHARTHANA ROAD, VESU, SURAT, GUJARAT.
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the Design / Research Thesis entitled “NEED OF RIVER
FRONT DEVELOPMET AT SURAT”, has been submitted by Mr. Pathan
Muzammilkhan, En.no.-193531050003 under our guidance during the year
2023-2024. This thesis is submitted towards partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of Bachelor of Architecture and satisfies the
requirements laid down by Bhagwan Mahavir College of Architecture, Surat.

It is to be understood that by this approval, the undersigned does not

necessarily endorse or approve any statement made, opinions expressed
or conclusion drawn therein, but approves the study only for the purpose
for which it has been submitted.

Ar. Nirav Khandwala Ar. Chaitali Shroff

Thesis Guide Principal

SUBMITTED BY

PATHAN MUZAMMILKHAN
ENR. NUMBER: 193531050003

BHAGWAN MAHAVIR COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

BMEF CAMP US, BHARTHANA ROAD, VESU, SURAT, GUJARAT

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Thesis guide

Prof. Ar. Nirav Khandwala for the continuous support of my Thesis study
and research, for his patience, motivation, enthusiasm and immense
knowledge. His guidance helped me in all the time of research and writing
of this Thesis.

Besides my Thesis guide, I would like to thank my Thesis co-guide Prof

Ar. Pooja Dhariawala and Ar. Nisarg Bhanvadiya for their
encouragement, insightful comments and hard questions.

Last but not the least; department for their kind co-operation and help.
Last but certainly not the least, I would like to express my deep
appreciation towards my family and friends for providing the much-
needed support and encouragement.

Pathan Muzammilkhan

ENR.No. 193531050003

iii
 ABSTRACT

People are drawn to water. Human interaction with water is foremost feature
that calls for riverfront development. People have a strong desire to feel it,
reach it; and thus it becomes very important that approach to water should be
given, public space production along the river shore should be primary
purpose. This dissertation focused to develop a set of guidelines that
contribute to the establishment of socio interactive spaces at riverfront.
Research will also explore on current riverfront developments and notion of

place identity and place making by the development of recreational spaces

Different case studies and their analysis will provide the strategies of a
successful riverfront with meaningful socio interactive spaces. From the
synthesis of findings, a set of design attributes are framed.

Keywords: Riverfront, socio interactive, environment, spaces.

Pathan Muzammilkhan

ENR.No. 193531050003

iv
 AIM

"The aim of this project would be transforming city as a unique cultural

platform with recreational and entertainment facilities serving the city, its
people and tourists with new dimension, meaning and scale of development.
The riverfront development shall be envisaged as a city's identity on its river
front development Keywords: Riverfront, socio interactive, environment,
spaces.

v
 RESEARCH QUESTIONS & OBJECTIVES

Research questions & Objectives

There are few questions, which help us in the fragmentation of the objectives.
The questions are to

• What are the factors which help the city to rejuvenate the urban life and
the space through improved quality of life, facilitating recreational and
cultural activities, organizing informal businesses and designing better
public spaces with creative amenities.?
• What are the planning responses for related riverfront development in
Indian context?
• What measures, policies and practices, the government and riverfront
development management authorities initiated?
• What is the factor responsible for the development of public spaces?
• What are the adverse effect of riverfront development on social,
economic and geographical.?

vi
 OBJECTIVES

Objective 1: Ecological preservation:

• Identify and implement environmental protection priorities to protect

water quality and other sensitive natural features;
• Stop the flow of sewage, keep the river clean and pollution-free;
• Revitalize riverfront neighborhoods, rejuvenate River

Objective 2: Create Social/ Public space:

• Make the riverfront accessible to the public

• Create riverfront parks to enjoy the water.

Objective 3: Designing Development that is in harmony with the natural

character of the area.

• The urban form integrated with landscape, thereby, creating an

enriching experience by responding to the context of water, existing
diversity of activities, and forming a visually dominant landmark.
Encourage development of appropriate design, scale, and use to
improve the utilization of public lands and to improve residents' quality
of life.
• Create a memorable identity for river and the city

vii
Appendix RIVER FRONT

1 Table of Contents
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 2
1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Types of waterfront ........................................................................................................
1.3 Trend of waterfront development world wide ................................................................
1.4 Elements of Successful Waterfront Development..........................................................
1.5 Waterfront Developments.. ............................................................................................
1.6 Special Characteristics of Water front Area.. .................................................................
1.7 Importance of Public spaces... ........................................................................................
1.8 Characteristics of a Public Space include.......................................................................

2. River Front Development In India .......................................................................................

2.1 To analyze the present pattern of different riverfront development projects in the
country. ............................................................................................................................
2.1.1 Sabarmati Riverfront development. ........................................................................
2.1.2 Gomti Riverfront Development. .............................................................................
2.2 Yamuna Riverfront Development... ...........................................................................
2.3 Hindon Riverfront Project... .......................................................................................
2.4 Pune riverfront development.... ..................................................................................
2.1 Godavari river development.......................................................................................
Introduction RIVER FRONT

1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction
In general, a waterfront is the zone of interaction between urban developments and the water
and a waterfront area is considered as a unique and irreplaceable resource where it is the
interface between land, water, air, sun and productive plants. Moreover, the waterfront is
characterized as a place integrating land with water and having a natural attraction to people.
In fact, the seashore and riverfront are the most attractive water features for human
settlement and, in most countries; the land in front of water is developed earlier than the
inland areas.
Waterfront development refers to any development in front of water and a water body; a
river, lake, ocean, bay, creek or canal. In the development area, considered that a waterfront
development may not necessarily need to be directly fronting water but may only need to
look attached to the water. They believe that commanding a view of water can still be
considered as a waterfront property.
An official definition by the US Federal Coastal Zone Management Act, Office of Ocean
and Coastal Resources (OOCR) (1972) defines the term urban waterfront or port as, “any
developed area that is densely populated and is being used for, or has been used for, urban
residential, recreational, commercial, shipping, or industrial purposes”.
A more detailed definition by Guo (1998) as cited in Dong (2004, p. 7) described the
waterfront as the interface point where land and water meet, between approximately 200 to
300 meters from the water line and 1 to 2 km to the land site and also takes in land within
20 minutes walking distance. Wu & Gao, 2002, as cited in Dong (2004, p. 7) added the
waterfront area should have multiple features which incorporate each other and surrounded
by structural and non-structural objects to form a focal point.
In many cities in the world, waterfront areas began as commercial centres, transportation
hubs and manufacturing centres, as a central focus for them. However, due to complex and
multiple problems such as technology change, the historic preservation movement, increased
environmental awareness and urban renewal, a dramatic change in waterfront areas was
brought about and they became large spaces of unused property in the past thirty years or so.
The first waterfront development projects were started in North American cities, in particular
Baltimore and Boston, in the 1960s. Nowadays, waterfront development is a global trend
and thousands of schemes are being carried out in large metropolises, medium-sized cities
and even small towns all over the world. Whereas the early examples of waterfront
development primarily focused on leisure and retail, contemporary schemes have a broader
scope; many are set up with the aim to create attractive mixed urban environments that
Appendix RIVER FRONT

appeal to the imagination of people and persuade them to work there, to live there, or to visit
these.
Breen & Rigby (1996) assign developed waterfronts into six distinct groups: commercial
waterfronts; cultural, educational and environmental waterfronts; historic waterfronts;
recreational waterfronts; residential waterfronts; and working waterfronts

1.2 Types of waterfronts

As per NEW YORK CITY COMPREHENSIVE WATERFRONT PLAN, there are four
principal functions of the waterfront:

• The Natural Waterfront, comprising beaches, wetlands, wildlife habitats, sensitive

ecosystems and the water itself.
• The Public Waterfront, including parks, esplanades, piers, street ends, vistas and
waterways that offer public open spaces and waterfront views.
• The Working Waterfront, where water dependent, maritime and industrial uses
cluster or where various transportation and municipal facilities are dispersed.
• The Redeveloping Waterfront, where land uses have recently changed or where
vacant and underutilized properties suggest potential for beneficial change.

1.3 Trend of Waterfront developments worldwide

• 1960s - Massive waterfront development began and consequently initiated the world-
wide era of waterfront revitalization.
• 1970s - Urban waterfront redevelopment bloomed,
• 1980s - Accelerated and continued in the future.
RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

Clearly, interest in promoting riverfront development in many countries was caused by

environmental protection, shoreline access, water quality, historic preservation, tourismand
economic development, as well as the growing potential of the riverfront forrecreational,
commercial and residential uses.
Introduction RIVER FRONT

Moreover, festival and water sports are perhaps the most visible public-oriented activities
that have played a key role in the rediscovery of riverfronts
1.4 ELEMENTS OF SUCCESSFUL RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

Figure 9 Elements of Successful Riverfront Development

1.5 RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENTS:
Criteria for guidelines of development concept
-River as a main attraction of development
• According to the guideline, for any reason, river's role is remaining as a main
attraction for the development.
• River itself must be developed earlier than any others development
planning.
• Removal and changing river line or row are not permitted.
-Beautification of river reserves
• According to the guideline, developers are required to provide recreation and
beautification plan for river.
• Maintaining river reserve as a buffer zone to control environmental problem such
as soil erosion.

• Utilization river reserve for green areas and recreational use are allowed to the
Developers

-Level of river flow

Appendix RIVER FRONT

• According to the guideline, a development close to river areas would not

increase level of river flow. Development are more than 10 ha are required
to build retention pond with maximum area approximately between 3-5% of
total development area.
- Development of permanent infrastructure
• According to the guideline, the development of permanent building and
infrastructure are not allowed within river and river reserves, unless
facilities for recreational purposes such as playground.

1.6 SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RIVERFRONT AREA

Tab I: Special Characteristics of Riverfront Area

RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

1.7 GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

Riverfront development planning is often guided by four priorities: balanced land use;
respect for limited resources; improved public access; and safeguards for environmental
quality. The general principles for riverfront development are set out below:
• Interconnected, linear riverfront development with broad public access
• Encouraging the use of the greenway as a daily commuter path and
Introduction RIVER FRONT

recreational amenity .
• Demonstrating the connection between access, greenway development and
market demand.
• Creating a coherent, visually pleasing order to the water's edge
• Protection and enhancement of the natural environment
• Documenting the ecological state of the riverfronts in order to preserve this
environmentally diverse natural habitat.
• Preventing and, where possible, eliminating inappropriate uses and
practices from the rivers' edge.
• Protecting existing natural areas from development.
• Reclaim the city's identity as one of the best water cities
• Raising public expectations of what the city's riverfront offers.
• Attracting people, investment and the best aspects of urban living to the
riverfront.

1.8 IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SPACES

A public space may be a gathering spot or part of a neighbourhood, downtown, special
district, riverfront, or other area within the public realm that helps promote social
interaction and a sense of community Examples include spaces such as plazas, town
squares, parks, marketplaces, public commons and malls, public greens, piers, special
areas within convention centres or grounds, sites within public buildings, lobbies,
concourses, or public spaces within private buildings. As with all categories of Great
Places, it is important to identify what sets a space apart from others spaces to qualify it
for a Great Spaces designation. Public Spaces must be at least 10 years old.
1.9 ADVANTAGES & BENEFITS OF RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
The benefits and advantages of developing water front are manifold ranging from
economic benefits, environmental benefits to social/ community benefits. These
benefits are detailed below.

• With the development of riverfront there would be creation of jobs

in developing the front, jobs as it gives way to starting up of a host
of commercial activities in that region and also indirect job creation
associated with the set of activities.
Appendix RIVER FRONT

• Source of revenue for government — government would be able to

earn revenue in terms of taxes from the commercial activities in the
region. The commercial activities include shops, restaurants, sport
activities, transportation, boating etc which can be leased out or
giving to private players to operate.
• Development of tourism in the region — with the development of
riverfront the tourism in the region can be increased by offering a
variety of attractions like water sports, entertainment arenas, parks,
shopping areas, etc.
• Economic spin-offs — rise in the value of properties in and around
the region, acting as a catalyst for redevelopment and renewal of
nearby places
• Habitat protection and restoration Conservation of water in the river
Human/Environmental connections • Conservation and
development of land • Conservation of flora and fauna
• Maintenance of river bank.
• Water conservation practices - Development of projects would
ensure a proper design of projects in conserving river and
maintenance of rivers flowing through large cities.
• Beautification of the riverfront with a natural outlook will provide
the general public with an open space for leisure and recreation
• Providing employment opportunities for nearby people and helping
in development of region.
• Encouraging recreational activities like walking, jogging, biking,
sports activities, etc
• Improving quality of life of nearby community by revitalizing the
neighbourhood
Introduction RIVER FRONT

CHAPTER 2 RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

There is a wave of riverfront developments in India. UP governments ambitious project
Gomti riverfront development in Lucknow is under construction which is influenced from
first riverfront development project, Gujarat's Sabarmati Riverfront development. There
are several other similar riverfronts proposed on the banks of rivers in India.

- Bulky Riverfront Projects

Riverfront developments are cost rich projects that take few years of rigorous work for
development. It takes diversion of resources, government budget, labour, etc.
Looking briefly at these projects indicates that the discourse mainly revolves around the
commercial and recreational activities. Concrete Wall Embankments, reclamation of the
river in floodplains and commercialization of the reclaimed land are the innate components
of these projects.
Recreational Activities that are promoted on the riverfronts typically include shopping
malls, boat trips, theme parks, restaurants, walk ways and parking lots in the paved and
encroached river bed. Every riverfront project talks about the commercial beautification of
the river but none emphasizes on the betterment of its condition and ecology.
Is it just a cosmetic beautification of rivers or does it really rejuvenate or betters the
condition of rivers? The riverfront developments that mainly aims to beautify for
commercial purposes essentially changes the ecological and social landscapes of the river,
transforming it into an urban commercial space rather than a natural, social, cultural,
ecological landscape.
To analyse the present pattern of different riverfront development projects in the
country.: -
Sabarmati Riverfront development:
Sabarmati riverfront development was the first project in the group of riverfront projects in
India. Sabarmati riverfront on river Sabarmati in Ahmedabad was proposed in 1960 but the
construction started in year 2005.
It is acclaimed pioneering in urban transformation and envisaged to develop 11.25
Km stretch on the banks of the river but ground reality is different and the project
has done little to no development of the river. Instead has deteriorated the river
ecology.
The 1 1.25 km long stretch is made of concrete embankments on both sides with
walkways. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1200 crores which will be recovered by
selling of parts of reclaimed land for commercial and residential purpose. The reclaimed
land is used for public as well as private development. More than 85% of the reclaimed
land will be used for public infrastructure. recreational parks. sports facilities and gardens
while nearly 14% will be used for commercial and residential purpose.
Appendix RIVER FRONT

In 2003, the project was extended to cover an I I .25 km stretch from 10.4 km stretch with
reclamation of 202.79 hectares (501.1 acres) and was put on fast track. Project was
inaugurated by then Chief minister of the state Narendra modi on 15 August 2012.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) claims that the after the project, riverfront has
added vibrancy to the urban landscape of Ahmedabad with its well-designed gardens, open
spaces, walkways, along with activities which contribute to economic growth.
The average width of the river channel was 382 meters (1.253ft.) and the narrowest cross-
section 330 meters (1.080 ft.). It is uniformly narrowed to 263 meters (863 ft.) without
affecting its flood carrying capacity and the riverbed land is reclaimed on the both east and
west banks to construct 11.25 km long riverfront. The total of 202.79 hectares of land is
reclaimed.
It also claims that it improves/has improved environment by reducing erosion of the banks
and flooding of low-lying areas of the city by the walls constructed on the both banks. The
new integrated sewage and storm-water system intercepts 38 former sewage and industrial
effluent discharge points and route it to sewage treatment plants located south of Vasna
Barrage. Thus reducing the water pollution in the river. The water level in the river is
retained through Vasna Barrage and the losing water is replenished by the Narmada Canal.
It enabled the groundwater recharge and the recreational facilities like boating in the river.
It also replenishes river by treated sewage water. Though the project has been labelled as
"best practice" by several financing institutions, it has also drawn flak for poor
rehabilitation of the displaced (rehabilitation happened only after High Court orders
following a public interest petition) disrupting the nexus of sheltemlivelihood and services
of urban port lack of transparency in the execution, not improving the water for tampering
with the carrying capacity of the river.
It is strange that Environment Impact Assessment of the project was not conducted neither
any credible public consultation process held.
. The project has only transferred the water from both banks to the river downstream
formazan barrage, which is situated downstream from the city. The Vasna barrage stops
and stores the water released from Narmada Main Canal that crosses the river about 10.4
upstream from the barrage. Thus this 11.25 km stretch of the river now holds the Narmada
water and huge losses from the stretch are losses for the drought prone areas.
The project was stalled during August 2006 to March 2007 due to heavy floods. Prior to
the floods, the river's maximum carrying capacity was calculated at 4.75 lakh cusecs on
basis of the rainfall over last 100 years. The floods however proved the calculation wrong.
The irony is, this project is considered pioneering project in the group of upcoming
riverfronts in India and is laying the guide lines for them despite being no less than a
failure.
Sabarmati riverfront has distorted the ecology of the river to space the commercial
greed of few.
The water quality of the river is extremely poor and has declined in discourse. The
cosmetic treatment of the water stretch has depleted the water and Sabarmati and water in
the river is of river Narmada.
Introduction RIVER FRONT

Components of Sabarmati Riverfront development Project:

• The 11 .25 km long stretch would be made of concrete embankments on both sides
with walkways.
• The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1200 crores which will be recovered by
selling of parts of reclaimed land for commercial and residential purpose.
• The average width of the river channel was 382 meters (1,253 ft.) and now it is
further narrowed and jacketed within 263 meters (863 ft.) The riverfront with its
open spaces, walkways, well-designed gardens along with activities will contribute
to economic growth
• It claims that it improves environment by reducing erosion of the banks and
flooding of low-lying areas of the city by the walls constructed on the both banks.
• The water level in the river is retained through Vasna Barrage and the losing waters
replenished by the Narmada Canal. The shelter, livelihood and services of urban
poor were disrupted and displaced poorly to reclaim the river land.
Gomti Riverfront Development
Gomti riverfront is an example of a wrong lead produced by River Sabarmati. Gomti
Riverfront started in 2012 under the aspiring government led by then newly elected chief
minister Akhilesh yadav. Gomti riverfront was proposed to rejuvenate the present
condition of the river Gomti. In addition to it, it would beautify the embankments, to build
them for commercial and recreational activities.
The project aims at building concrete riverbanks of length 12 km stretching from Pucca
pull to Shaheed path. The state government has made irrigation department the nodal
agency of the project to revive the river in three ways. There will be extensive cleaning of
the river bed and water flow will be regularized through river channelization. Besides, the
surroundings will be made beautiful. There will be walking plazas, cycling and jogging
tracks and ghats along the banks. It also aims at joining Sharda canal with the river to
maintain the water level in the times of crisis.
If look closely, this projects mainly speaks about the cosmetic beautification of the river.
Building of concrete walls in the riverbeds has disturbed the ecology of the river.
Maximum natural water sources in the depth have depleted and the water has dried up.
In the Environment impact assessment report conduct by IIT Roorkee, IIT Roorkee had
warned about the consequences of this project. Limiting the river within the channel of
250-meter-wide concrete wall would suffocate the river and advert times would blow away
the bridges like Pucca Pull (Hardinge Bridge) with it. When floodplains are paved with the
concrete and cement, excess water would flood the city in times of flood. The project has
raised several concerns and received flak from various environment experts all-around.
Several drains are still falling un-intercepted in the river causing pollution. Excess tax
payers' money is being wasted on this venture but nothing about the expenses is there in
the public domain. People are totally unaware about their money being wasted. Irrigation
department denied rendering information asked by Ballot box India in the RTI.
Definitely, the project has attracted the people of the city at it is added into their list of
hangout points. Several selfie points with enormous lighting and space certainly entice
Appendix RIVER FRONT

anybody in there. But it may be easy and soothing to one's eyes but the adverse impact it
holds is frightening. Project was estimated at Rs 1300 crores and was scheduled to end by
the 2016. But it is still in progress.
Key features of Gomti Riverfront development project:
• The project aims at building concrete riverbanks of length 12 km stretching from
Pucca pull to Shaheed path.
• There will be walking plazas, cycling and jogging tracks and ghats along the
banks.
• It also aims at joining sharda canal with the river to maintain the water level in the
times of crisis.
• River has been jacketed within 100-120 meters
Yamuna Riverfront Development
Though still on paper, Delhi government has plans ready for the Yamuna riverfront
development project. Delhi government aims at improving the abysmal condition of river
Yamuna that runs in miserable condition through Delhi. As estimated, it will take two
years to develop a 5 km stretch of Yamuna with Rs 200 crores. As proposed, after
development of stretch to beautify about a quarter of the river stretch it will have medicinal
gardens. a biodiversity park and a modern wrestling ring. The river will also have canoeing
and rowing facility. The stretch on the quarter length of the river in upstream of Amirabad
will also sport cycle tracks and recreational activities. Birdwatching and nature trails will
also be facilitated. It will be a 'concrete free' riverfront development and to keep it
ecological use of bamboo and wood will be made.
Key features of Yamuna Riverfront development:
• development of a 5 km stretch of Yamuna River with Rs 200 crores
• It will be a 'concrete free' riverfront development and to keep it ecological, use of
bamboo and wood will be made.
• The developed river stretch will have medicinal gardens, a biodiversity park and a
modern wrestling ring. Bird watching and nature trails will also be facilitated.
• The stretch on the quarter length of the river in upstream of wazirabad will also
sport cycle tracks and recreational activities. The river will also have canoeing and
rowing facility.

Hindon Riverfront Project

Alike other kins, Hindon riverfront also talks about restoring the Hindon river ecology and
make it clean. The hindon riverfront project would stretch 22 km up to Greater Noida. A
green corridor is proposed to be developed across 600 hectares Noida flood plains that will
avail picnic spots to general public. In the first phase, about 200 acres will be acquired and
converted into the riverfront area. The project involves developing facilities like parks,
yoga centres, picnic spots and sports centres. The proposed plan also entails eco-friendly
cycle tracks, green belts and parks in green corridor. The project would also take care of
Introduction RIVER FRONT

the untreated sewerage falling in the river to rejuvenate it by sewage treatment plants. The
projects DPR is still under preparation and is expected to complete by the mid of 2017.
Key features of Hindon Riverfront project:
• The hindon riverfront project would stretch 22 km up to Greater Noida.
• A green corridor is proposed to be developed across 600 hectares Noida flood
plains that will avail picnic spots to general public. The project involves developing
facilities like parks, yoga centres, picnic spots and sports centres.
The proposed plan also entails eco-friendly cycle tracks, green belts and parks in
green corridor.
The project would also take care of the untreated sewerage falling in the river to
rejuvenate it by sewage treatment plants.