262
Table-2 : IMPORTANCE MATRIX FOR THE SUITABILITY ANALYSIS
S.No. | Para-meter | SD ST |Slope | Flood | Erosion | L- use | GW | SW | Rdn | Rin | Weitage
l. SD 1 5 2 3 3 3 1 1 5 7100235
2. ST 1/5 1 1/3 % 1/2 3 1 1 5 7 | 0.068
3. Slope Va 3 1 1 1 3 1 1 5 7T 0.150
4. Flood 1/3 2 1 1 3 3 1/3 3 3 gi 0.113
S. Erosn 1/3 2 1 1/3 1 2 172, i. 1/3 s 7 | 0.076
6. Landuse 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/2 1 2 2 5 8 | 0.068
7. GW 1 1 1 3 2 1/2 1 1 5 8 | 0.146
8. SW 1 1 1 1/3 3 1/2 1 1 S 8 | 0.103
9. Road-net 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1.1/5 1 1/4 | 0.024
10. Rail-head 1/7 1/7 1/7 1/7 1/7 1/8 1/8 | 1/8 4 1 0.017
SD = Soil Depth, ST = Soil Texture, GW = Groundwater prospects, Erosn = Erosion hazard, Flood = Flood hazard,
Rdn = Road network, Rin - Rail head, L-use = Land use
RESULTS
The urban land use suitability map prepared using multi parametric weighted approach is presented in Figure-
2. From this figure, one can clearly see the best areas suitable for urbanisation are located along the major
transportation network of the Ahmedabad city. From the urban sprawl study of the city, it has been observed that the
city has extended well beyond the present municipal limits and it has even crossed the limits of Ahmedabad Urban
Development Authority on the western side i.e. beyond Ambligaon. The general trend of growth from 1972 to 1982
was observed mainly along the transportation network. After 1982, the growth has been observed between the main
transportational routes (Naroda and Odhav, Odhav and Vatva, Vatva and Sarkhej) where the land was predominantly
under agricultural use. The productive agricultural land in the villages of Chiloda, Nikhol, Chinubhainagar, Singarwa,
Ratanpur, Vinjhol, Vatwa, Narol, Isanpur, Ranipur, Sahijpur, Piplaj, Gyaspur, Sarkhej, Fatewadi, Makarba, Jodhpur,
Mamadpur, Ambli, Bopal, Shilaj, Ognaj, Khodiar has been irretrievably lost. It has been observed on the east that the
area within the walled city and in the industrial estates of Naroda, Odhav and Vatva is highly congested with narrow
roads and lanes intermixed with all activities (residential, industrial, commercial, public and semi- public etc.,) and
devoid of greenery. Moreover, the residential areas in the industrial areas have been built in low lying areas without
any proper planning. This may lead to frequent flooding of these areas during heavy rainfall. On the contrary, the
western side of the city is primarily built as per the modern concept of town planning. The residential, recreational and
educational institutes have been properly planned with wide roads and lanes. Hence, the quality of life in this part of the
city is much better as compared to the eastern side of the city. However, after the year 1982, the new development has
taken a new trend of high-rise structures due to increasing economic pressure on land, which may worsen the quality of
life in the western part also in a few years.
A total of 800 ha of land has been reserved under GREEN BELT' along the whole of Ahmedabad City.
From the study, it has been observed that only 292 ha are lying vacant while the other areas have been either
encroached or occupied. Most of the green belt in the eastern side has been encroached. However, it is still vacant on
the western side except in the village areas of Vasna (AMC) and Juhapura. The study area has promismg potential for
development of water resources and conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater. It is suggested to take up a
systematic and detailed study to draw a meaningful and effective water resources development plan of AUDA area.
Such a plan would indicate combination of sites suitable for water harvesting/artificial recharge along with appropriate
zones/sites for groundwater abstraction for sustaining adequate supply against the necessary water demand in future.
It has been observed that the areas with undulating terrain with or without scrub located in the villages of
Koteshwar, Bhat and Naroda- Gyaspur, Vanzar are highly suitable for urbanisation. The water-logged areas have been
identified for conservation and are located 1n the villages of Lali and Bidaj. It has been seen that the water logging is
mainly because of wastewaters that are released through the Khari Canal from the three industrial areas of Naroda,
Vatva and Odhav. It is also seen that the excellent and very good ground water prospect areas are conserved for future
use. The area has promising potential for development of water resources and conjunctive use of surface water and
groundwater. It is suggested to take up a systematic and detailed study to draw a meaningful and effective water
resources development plan of AUDA area. Such a plan would indicate combination of sites suitable for water
harvesting/artificial recharge along with appropriate zones/sites for groundwater abstraction for sustaining adequate
supply against necessary water demand in future. The soils with clayey texture located in the west of Mehmedabad
have limitations for development and hence they are suggested for preserving under greenery. It has been observed
that the Khari cut canal is the most polluted canal as most of the industries located in Naroda, Odhav and Vatva
industrial estates dump their untreated wastes in this canal. The water in this canal is only the waste water rather than
Intemational Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXII, Part 7, Budapest, 1998
