Ahmedabad Beautification Projects

[viedumonde]

The roads have survived the monsoon without a SINGLE pothole or deformation as far a I can see. Nevertheless, it is not a "Model" road design because the roads are paved all the way from one compound wall to the other, and no footpaths, parking lots etc have been created. It's a shame that pedestrians are avoided totally in the design.

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

Yes, for motorists the roads are good (as in, no potholes) but otherwise they are no different from other roads!

[Licit Mortal]

Designer Foot path and Model roads


Here are some of the models that I made for urban areas in our country. They have an integrated BRTS system, service lanes, sideway paid parking , pedestrian areas, green cover, dedicated cycle lanes, foot over bridges or subways, proper lighting, lane marking and litter bins. Most of the necessary systems such as power lines, telephone lines, drainage, etc.. are provided through a service duct that is easily accesible under the pedestrian areas on both the sides through a controlled man hole. Someone close to people in AUDA or Modi can suggest these models if they are useful.

Model 1
4 laned carriage way with median in between and BRTS in the side of the roads. Acces to BRTS bus bays through subway.

view 1


view 2 - subway, pedestrian area and bus bay


view 3 - Cycle track and paid parking area


view 4 - Top view


view 5 - Side View


view 6 - Median view


Model 2 - BRTS lane between the carriage way and pedestrian area. Access to different areas of the road through FOB.





Model 3 - BRTS in the center, 6 laned carriage way between pedestrian and BRTS lanes, cycle track close to the pedestzrian area. Access to various areas of the road through FOB. No Escalators needed, sloped ramp provides access for both physically disabled and normal people.

view 1 - Top view


view 2 - From the FOB towards the bus bay (BRTS lane)


view 3 - Pedestrian, cycle track, paid parking and service lane


view 4 - Carriage way view


This is just a model that is a result of a game with my creativity and I am sure it would have a lot of engineering flaws. Just to give an idea of what I envisage as an ideal model road for our cities and towns.

I apologize if it is kiddish or eye sore for some in here.

cheers.

[reshapco]

Really nice designs... But do our officers will follow that ?

[Licit Mortal]

Hey. Glad you liked them. I am not sure if they will take it. TBH, I do not expect them to take my design completely, but if they would have a look, they would atleast get an idea of how a model road should probably be according to a yongster of this generation.

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

Cool Designs. But I wonder how people park their cars if the parking area is surrounded by the cycle track and the BRTS lane on both sides?

To a large extent the second design (6 lane) has been applied on some of the Janmarg routes. But unfortunately, except near the mouth of the NE-1, there are no pedestrian overbridges or subways. And of course the cycle track is a joke.

[azzi282]

The third design is best IMO, the first one is flawed in terms of the parking area, but if that was removed, then it would be the first one for me... The amount of trees is nice. If only it becomes a reality!

[Licit Mortal]

@rushab

Entry exit from the carriage way to the parking area is through the service lane in design 2 and 3 and BRTS lane in the first model. The entry and exit points are located every 250 ms or 500ms on the main carriage way. However, model 2 would be a flop in that reagard though.

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

The main problem is of course the short available widths. For instance, to apply the 6 lane design we'd require at least 140-150 feet wide road. And only 4-5 roads in Ahmedabad are that wide (SG Road, 132 feet RR, Narol-Naroda Road, 200 feet RR, Chandkheda Road etc).

Subways are too expensive to be feasible on a large scale. FOBs are good and I particularly liked the concept of sloping ramps (but I bet some bikers will attempt to use it ). I think a mixture of model 2 and 3 would work best for Ahmedabad if and only if people take to public transport (i.e. BRTS) in large numbers. Otherwise only 4 lanes for normal traffic is a nightmare.

[Licit Mortal]

subways might be costlier in terms of initial investment, but the greatest advantage of subways is that you can also create a whole lot of revenue by commercial exploitation of the subway space. Most of the cities in Germany do that.

6 lanes with BRTS should be the benchmark for all the new cities that they are planning to build in the future. With the existing roads, the best we can do it to provide elevated BRTS and LMV lanes (upto 4) and expanding the ground level area to accommodate pedestrian space, parking and cycle track at the compromise of one existing lane on either side of the road. Trucks and HMVs should be allowed to enter the city only between 23.00 hrs and 5.30 hrs. The access to elevated stations are through the FOBs on the pedestrian space.

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

Yes, commercial activities are viable for subways. But they require more maintenance and ventilation as well as some security during night.

The reason I would prefer FOBs for Indian cities is that aside from being cheaper they can be constructed using precast technology thus ensuring that the traffic is diverted only for a short span of time. And although I have'nt yet seen a FOB with shops I think the design can be remodeled to accommodate them.

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

Sabarmati Eye to get space near Ellisbridge

Source

Ahmedabad: The Sabarmati riverfront will soon get a 135-metre tall observation wheel, popularly called the London Eye. The promoters of the project have submitted a plan of Rs 1,500 crore.The site chosen for the wheel is most likely to be between Ellisbridge and Sardar bridge,according to AMC sources.The developer requires 20,000 square metres of land for setting up the project.

The observation wheel is different in design from the ferris wheel we see at fairs.Passenger cars are mounted on the exterior of the wheel instead of being suspended from its circumference.

The company had approached the AMC two days ago to discuss the business model of the project.A senior AMC official told TOI,The business model is most likely to be a joint venture between the AMC and the developer.The AMC will become equity partners by giving them land.This will be AMCs investment in the project.The company will approach us once again for a detailed presentation.

The 20,000 square metres of space is available between Sardar bridge and Ellisbridge.Earlier,the developer had wanted to set up a hotel along with the wheel,but we had claimed that we do not have enough land for the hotel premises, adds the official.

The London Eye is the largest observation wheel in the world,built in 1999 on the south bank of the Thames River.Standing 135 metres high,it gives one a panoramic view of London up to 25 kms in all directions.Therefore,it's called the London Eye.It was during one of the Vibrant Gujarat summits that the company Saloria Chartered Architects of London,one of the top 100 architect firms of the UK and right holders of equipment technology,had proposed a viewing wheel and recreation zone modeled on the London Eye,or Millennium Wheel.In the last three years,there have been talks of a millennium wheel being installed in Bangalore,Lucknow and Surat during 2011.But nothing has materialized till now.