Choosing a place to live in a bustling metropolis like Ahmedabad often involves difficult compromises. Residents frequently weigh affordability against civic amenities, or public transport connectivity against modern infrastructure. A recent academic exercise has now put data behind these everyday dilemmas, grading the city's major residential clusters.
Navrangpura Tops the Chart, Satellite a Close Second
A comprehensive grading system, developed by students of City Studio at Cept University, has evaluated ten major clusters in Ahmedabad. The findings, currently showcased at the university's Winter Exhibition, reveal a clear hierarchy. Navrangpura emerged as the top performer with a score of 60 out of a maximum 100 points. It was closely followed by the Satellite area, which scored 59 points.
On the other end of the spectrum, the study identified areas with significant challenges. Saraspur-Bapunagar scored the lowest at 40 points, with Vastral not far behind at 42 points. The assessment covered five clusters each from the city's western and eastern zones, highlighting the distinct urban landscape of Ahmedabad.
The Five-Pillar Framework of Evaluation
The student researchers adopted a meticulous, multi-dimensional approach to their evaluation. They analyzed each cluster based on five critical parameters:
- Infrastructure
- Mobility
- Housing and Shelter
- Safety and Comfort
- Affordability
Infrastructure was given the highest weightage at 48%. This broad category included sub-parameters like water supply, green and blue infrastructure, sewage systems, solid waste management, municipal services, and waterlogging. Conversely, affordability received the lowest weightage of just 4%. This factor considered property values, per capita floor space, vehicles owned, transport costs, and the number of earning members in a family.
Urban Insights and the East-West Divide
Urban planning officials associated with the project noted that Ahmedabad presents a unique typology of two distinct halves. The western part of the city consistently shows higher socio-economic indices compared to the eastern zones. The officials also pointed out that new growth centres are now emerging on the city's periphery, while core areas are witnessing rejuvenation attempts through various redevelopment projects.
The study also uncovered specific strengths of different neighbourhoods. For instance, Satellite scored notably high on safety and comfort, whereas Memnagar excelled in the housing and shelter category. A senior faculty member emphasized that these scores should be viewed as indicators from a student exercise designed to unravel the intricate nature of urban neighbourhoods.
"Every year, the City Studio takes first-year students to various city clusters to acquaint them with local conditions and civic infrastructure," the faculty member explained. "This practice has, over the years, generated a rich repository of primary data." This hands-on approach ensures that urban planning education at CEPT remains grounded in the complex realities of city life, providing valuable insights for future planners and policymakers.
