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Collage of the Sabarmati edge at Koteshwar: construction machinery, cattle, a surviving green patch and the new riverfront, with quotes from residents

A-05 · Academic · CEPT University · In progress

Unmaking theperennial river

The Sabarmati at Koteshwar

Studio
Current studio, CEPT University
Location
Sabarmati at Koteshwar, Ahmedabad
Year
2026 · in progress
Role
Individual studio project
Methods
Mapping, interviews, field documentation

Brief

Understanding the Sabarmati through its changing ecological, social and spatial conditions. Work so far has focused on site observation, mapping, field documentation and interviews, and on the relationships between the river, infrastructure, local communities and changing patterns of access.

As the riverfront extends to Koteshwar, the open river edge — once shared by farmland, forest, wildlife, temple visitors and daily rituals — is being replaced by a fixed, controlled edge.

Stage
Mid-semester
Site sections
13, with a 1:2500 site plan
Lens
Environmental justice — who benefits, who bears the burden

Process — research to detailing

  1. Observation

    Thirteen site sections along the Koteshwar stretch, a site plan, and photographs of construction replacing open ground.

    Site plan, sections and photographs

  2. Interviews

    Residents, farmers and temple visitors describe a river that used to be part of daily life — and the forest, foxes and nilgai that have gone.

    A landscape in transition — mind map

  3. Mapping change

    Three layered isometrics, from shared landscape to transition to developed edge, with the forest, farmland, water bodies and wildlife that are lost or reduced.

    When the landscape changes

  4. Access

    Before development, people and animals walked straight to the water for bathing, rituals and daily use. Today access passes through a fixed, controlled edge.

    River access — before development and today

  5. Strategic responses

    In-situ redevelopment without displacement, a community benefit zone, room for vendors, native replanting, a safe construction edge, a development boundary and buffer, a flood-resilient stepped landscape, and a public link between Koteshwar Temple and the river.

    Reconnecting the river edge

Next project · P-03

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