Ketaki Sanjay Rane

UP4000-1

Surat, a rapidly expanding industrial hub known for its diamond, textile sectors, is undergoing transformative urban growth, particularly along its eastern corridors an evolution that, while economically promising, is straining the environment and urban livability. In response, the proposed Development Plan envisions Surat as a climate-resilient, inclusive, and economically robust city anchored by strong infrastructure and spatial equity. Rather than relying on rigid state control, the plan advocates for a market-responsive, liberal approach emphasizing mixed-use zoning to enable organic growth while enforcing strategic interventions to safeguard ecologically sensitive areas and mitigate negative externalities. By aligning compact development with climate-sensitive planning and rationalized regulatory frameworks, Surat’s roadmap offers a compelling model for Indian cities aiming to balance rapid urbanization with long-term environmental and social sustainability.