Contents
Acknowledgments iii
Abstract v
Table of contents . vii
List of figures xiii
List of tables xi
List of Images . xii
1 Introduction and Research Methodology 1
1.1 Background . 1
1.2 Research Problem 2
1.3 Aim 3
1.4 Objectives 3
1.5 Research Methodology 3
1.6 Scope of Work . 5
2 Literature Review 6
2.1 Rapid urbanization and green cover changes. 6
2.2 History and evolution of green infrastructure 8
2.2.1 Exploration (1998–2007) 8
2.2.2 Expansion (2005–2010) 9
2.2.3 Consolidation (2010 onwards) . 9
2.3 Concept of green infrastructure 10
2.4 Properties of green infrastructure 11
2.4.1 Connectivity of Green infrastructure 11
2.4.2 Multi-functionality of green infrastructure 12
2.4.3 Multiscale Green infrastructure 13
2.5 Significance and benefits of green infrastructure 14
2.5.1 Environmental benefits 15
2.5.2 Socio-cultural benefits 16
2.5.3 Economic benefits . 17
2.6 Principles of green infrastructure planning: 17
2.7 Green infrastructure in Indian Acts, missions and guidelines 18
2.7.1 Green Infrastructure trends in different Indian cities 20
2.8 Standards and Guidelines for Green Infrastructure 21
2.8.1 International norms for urban green 21
2.8.2 Indian norms for urban green 21
2.8.3 State-level norms for Urban green: 23
3 Context Setting: Ahmedabad 24
3.1 About the city 24
3.2 Location and Regional context 24
3.3 Study area: AMC 25
3.4 Demographic profile 26
3.5 Stakeholders 28
3.6 Development plan mechanisms 29
3.6.1 Parks and Gardens through TP mechanism 32
3.6.2 Project mode development 34
3.6.3 Green streets along major transport corridors: 36
4 City and Zonal level assessment 37
4.1 Parks and gardens 37
4.2 Traffic circle/islands 43
4.3 Green streets 44
4.4 Tree cover in AMC area 46
4.5 Land use land cover 49
4.6 NDVI analysis 50
4.7 Key Findings: 51
5 Neighbourhood level assessment 52
5.1 Green Infrastructure at neighbourhood level 52
5.1.1 Selection of TP Schemes for Neighbourhood level analysis 52
5.1.2 Observations and analysis 56
5.1.3 Key Findings: 61
5.2 Condition of green Infrastructure 61
5.2.1 Need for assessment of the quality of green space 61
5.2.2 Assessment/evolution on various parameters 62
5.3 Key findings and observations: 64
5.3.1 Park size, Number of trees and footfall 65
5.3.2 Facilities provided vs activeness of the space 65
5.3.3 Desirable Facilities: 66
5.3.4 Aesthetics 67
6 Enabling Mechanisms for Green Infrastructure 70
6.1 Central and state-level mechanisms 70
6.2 City-level mechanisms 70
6.3 Parks and garden department: 72
6.3.1 Organizational structure: 73
6.3.2 Rules and Functions of parks and garden department in AMC 73
6.3.3 Powers and Duties of officers/employees 74
6.3.4 Procedure followed for decision making . 74
6.3.5 Norms set for discharge of functions 75
6.3.6 Categories of documents held 75
6.3.7 Feedback and complaint readdressed . 76
6.4 O&M provided to contracted agencies on PPP basis (Private agencies) 76
6.4.1 Execution of Work 76
6.4.2 Contract details 77
6.5 Budgetary allocations for green infrastructure in AMC 78
7 Improving Green Infrastructure 83
7.1 Key issues and observations 83
7.2 Strategies for improvement 85
7.3 Conclusion . 88
Bibliography 90
Appendix 1: Various definitions of Green infrastructure in the world 93
Appendix 2: Data Checklist for Green Infrastructure Assessment 96
Appendix 3: List of existing parks and gardens in the city 100
Appendix 4: List of existing traffic circles/islands in AMC area 108
Appendix 5: List of existing green central verges in AMC area 111
Appendix 6: Assessment of selected neighbourhood parks and gardens 116