Study Area

Ahmedabad is the seventh largest metropolitan city in India with population of approximately 7.2 million in 2011 (4.5 million in 2001). The city is located in the northern part of Gujarat and on the bank of River Sabarmati at 23°00’N, 72°40’E, at an elevation of 53 m. Ahmedabad (Karnavati or Amdavad) was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970 and later the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar. It is the financial and economic hub of Gujarat dominated by textile industries, also known as the “Manchester of India” (Ahmedabad City Development Plan, 2013). The average temperature of the city ranges from 36 °C to 43 °C (in summer) making the region more hot and dry, and 15 °C to 23 °C (in winter). The average rainfall is about 1017 mm. The vigorous growth of the city’s economy led to its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of 59 billion USD in 2010. The administration of Ahmedabad is controlled by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC, http://www.egovamc.com). During the last two decades the city has attracted many foreign investments making Gujarat one of the few economically developed states of India.