Isha Jaiswal

UD4006

Ahmedabad’s gamtals, or urban villages, offer a valuable chance to enrich the city’s public realm through their dense, vibrant, and human-scaled environments. Unlike newer developments, gamtals naturally support active street life via narrow lanes, chowks, and mixed-use spaces. However, issues like congestion, neglect, and poor connectivity hinder their full potential. A study of Kochrab and Paldi gamtals reveals their detachment from key urban networks despite being near major roads and the riverfront. A strategic approach using Urban Inserts, Placemaking, and Redevelopment Guidelines can transform these areas into walkable, inclusive, and culturally resilient urban spaces that reinforce Ahmedabad’s fabric.