CONTENTS List of figures iii List of tables iv List of maps v List of abbreviations v Executive summary 1 Chapter 1 introduction & research design 8 1.1 introduction 9 1.2 research problem 10 1.2.1 key research questions 10 1.2.2 research objectives 11 1.2 methodology 12 1.2.1 the general framework 12 1.2.2 objective, approaches and tools used 13 1.3 scope and limitation 16 Chapter 2 literature review 17 2.1 concept of green infrastructure 18 2.1.1 green infrastructure network 20 2.1.2 spectrum of green infrastructure 21 2.2 why green infrastructure 22 2.2.1 benefits of green infrastructure 23 2.2.2 case studies showcasing gi benefits 25 New york 25 Washington d.c 25 Seattle 26 Philadelphia 27 Portland 28 Great lakes, ontario 30 Chicago 31 2.2.2.1observations 31 Chapter 3 green infrastructure indian scenario 33 3.1background 34 Approaches of government at different levels 34 3.2 national /state level approach 34 3.2.1 forest conservation act, 1980 34 3.2.2 national environment policy, 2006 35 3.2.3 national action plan on climate change 37 3.2.3.1 national mission for green india 38 3.2.4 national lake conservation plan 40 3.2.5 urban development plan formulation and implementation guidelines 41 3.2.6 gujarat town planning and urban development act 44 3.2.7 jawaharlal nehru national urban renewal mission 44 3.2.8 comparative matrix for national/state level approaches 50 3.3 green infrastructure – situation at national level 52 Forest cover 52 Mangrove cover 53 Tree cover 54 Bio-diversity and wetland conservation 55 Urban green spaces 55 3.4 city level initiatives 56 3.4.1 chandigarh 56 3.4.2 gandhinagar 57 3.4.3 delhi 57 3.4.4 bangalore 58 Chapter 4 study area – ahmedabad 60 4.1 introduction to study area 61 4.1.1 location and regional context 61 4.1.2 demographic profile 64 4.1.3 land use 65 4.2 data collection and survey 68 4.2.1 data collection framework 68 4.2.2 secondary data collection 68 4.2.3 primary survey 70 4.3 approaches of government at city level 72 4.3.1 city development plan 72 4.3.2 development plan 75 4.3.3 general development control regulations 82 4.3.4 jnnurm projects at city level 83 4.3.5 other programmes by amc 85 4.4 existing blue and green infrastructure in the city 86 4.4.1parks and gardens of amc 86 4.4.2 tree cover in the city 91 4.4.3 green streets and tree plantation along roads 94 4.4.4 green spaces 95 4.4.5 lakes and river front 96 4.4.6 total gi in the city 98 4.4.7 management and maintenance 99 4.4.8 expenditure and budget 103 4.5 issues and findings 105 Chapter5 recommendations 106 5.1 conclusion 107 5.2 recommendations 107 Bibliography 112