GIFT city is being developed as a global finance business district, a first of its kind Smart City in India, designed to be at or above par with the globally benchmarked financial centres in an area spread over 3.58 sq. kms. near Gandhinagar, Gujarat. A land of vibrant culture, color, crafts, textiles and festivals, Gujarat is also one of the most drought-prone states in India.

Our proposed landscape has a central theme that creates a forest, recharges and re-supplies water, generating climatically-appropriate people’s places. It aims to mitigate the ecological imbalances through landscape restoration and new interventions. The city and the forest will grow together and water will be collected, retained and re-supplied to the river, reducing the future urban heat island and creating water self-sufficiency. Thus, a thriving ecological, sustainable city with a variety of flora and fauna, and a gentler microclimate will be created. The landscape design comprising of urban agriculture and open spaces —block-level, community and recreational—is directly influenced by people and the built fabric.

The Gift City Landscape Master Plan creates a diverse and robust open space system for the present and the future. At the city level, a Tapas Udyan and a rejuvenated riverfront, provide recreational opportunities for everyone. Within the SEZ zone, a central spine and Samruddhi Sarovar will provide entertainment and recreation to the office workers and visitors.

Ecological corridors for recreational biking, walking and commuting are created along the north and south storm water canals, thus benefitting animal species as well. A third ecological corridor is re-introduced that drains Tapas Udyan through the central canal to the river. A belt of agricultural fields rings the entire city to make it food self-sufficient. A street arcs through the city, connecting north to south, creates a vibrant retail district. Kiosks, seating, shade and shared spaces should make this a vibrant and exciting urban space, while retaining the cultural fabric of the region.