Role of Development Control Regulations in Achieving Compact Urban Development: A Case of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Rapid urbanization and migration result in urban sprawl, an increase in housing and infrastructure demand, and cause an increase in the city's overall density. Various cities and states have distinct building bye-laws, rules, and organization tools to assure that this process is effective and structured. Together, these rules define the city's urban form, architectural style, and land usage. Municipalities use various tools to control population density and restrict unplanned urban expansion. These tools govern parameters such as ground coverage, height, density, land use, amenities, infrastructure, and architectural design and construction features. These tools shape the city's response to urbanization, i.e., sprawl or compactness. In developed nations, the concept of the compact city is incorporated into urban planning strategies to make the best use of available space while minimizing sprawl, strengthening reliance on public transportation, improving infrastructure, and fostering a lively urban environment. However, it is uncertain whether an already densely populated city in a developing country like India would benefit from a compact urban fabric. To gain insights into the compactness of the Ahmedabad city and evaluated its urban morphology, five designated areas measuring 2 km × 2 km each were selected as case study sites. This analysis aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the city's compactness and its impact on urban development. Based on this finding, the study proposed policy-level interventions to foster a transformation in the existing urban morphology. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of considering various parameters in the formulation of the upcoming development plan.