International Conference on Urban Sustainability: Emerging Trends, Themes, Concepts and Practices

THE WATERFRONT AND THE CITY

TOWARDS THE INTEGRATION: A CASE OF SURAT CITY
Prof. Ar. Bhavna Vimawala*
Ar. Bhavna Vimawala* (Professor, Faculty of Architecture, SCET, Surat)

ABSTRACT: Today, the agenda on the integration of urban waterfront and city are increasingly attracting
more attention and becoming the main theme of the city development strategies. Development of a waterfront
can be shaped through considerations of different factors which affect in creating the integration between the
waterfront and city. Thus, this paper discusses the waterfront and its integration to the city in the context of
Surat city, particularly in the present Indian context. The research identifies the factors that establish the
interrelationship and recognize how these factors influence the integration between them. These are; physical
characteristics include the condition of the edge, water quality, and impact of floods. Other factors are land
use, physical, visual and interpretive accessibility; and the built form along the waterfront. This study further
investigates the various reasons that affect the factors in establishing the integration between them. This
brings forth alarming situations and provides recommendations to the critical issues to be taken care of; to
improve and establish the integration between city and waterfront.

I. INTRODUCTION OF RESEARCH
Waterfront in urban context has been a worldwide The objectives are to study the integration between the
concern as they play an important role in the transformation of the waterfront and its influence on the
development of the cities. The relationship between city and examine the factors that establish the relation
water-related and urban-based functions, deep-rooted in between the city and the waterfront. These further
ancient times, persist the world-wide until the mid- investigate the reasons; influence the factors in
twentieth century (Hoyle, 1997). Cities are now establishing the integration between them.
growing bigger; the pressure on urban space and the
quality of the urban environment is constantly rising. In III. THEORETICAL PREMISE
order to preserve sustainable settlements; new way has The urban waterfront can be defined as “the area of the
to be found and need to integrate into planning. Cities cities and towns where land and water meet” (Breen
having the waterfront can be considered as laboratories and Rigby, 1994, 2). Waterfront in this research
in the planning process of urban redevelopment specifically means the existing water bodies with
considering public urban spaces and the quality of the adjacent land in the city. Surat city is endowed with
environment and space must be used even more different types of water bodies including the River
flexible, multifunctional and economically. Tapi, Arabian Sea and several lakes. River Tapi passes
Furthermore, there are large scale waterfront projects through the center of the city and meets the Arabian
being increasingly promoted as part of the development Sea about 13 km from the city center. Many lakes,
policy. The integration of the waterfront and the city is including the historical Gopi Talav (lake) are part of
an extremely essential issue because the idea of strong binding elements of the Surat city. This study,
redeveloping it is to get the water back to the city however, focuses on areas of River Tapi and adjoining
(Halprin, 1972). areas of the Sea. The structure of the city, in relation to
Thus, this research is an attempt to address the concerns the waterfront in this research; has been done to
and understanding the integration between the understand the growth pattern in context to its
waterfront and city. Development of a sustainable historical, physical, socio-cultural and religious aspects
waterfront can be created through consideration of of the city.
various factors which affect in establishing the
integration between the waterfront and city in the IV. CONCERNS & CONTEXT OF THE STUDY
various transformation stages of waterfront. The study Worldwide
examines the case of Surat city in the State of Gujarat, Urban waterfront redevelopment is being taken up
India. throughout the world, but is mostly confined to
developed countries, especially in North America and
II. AIM & OBJECTIVES European countries. It has continued to dominate in the
The aim is to understand the approach for developing international economy, trade and trends. Hence; it is
the integration between the waterfront and the city. now influencing the developing countries to revitalize

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 International Conference on Urban Sustainability: Emerging Trends, Themes, Concepts and Practices

the remarkable historic areas of the cities, recreational

and economic development under the influence of
globalization, (Fig.1) however, it is not enough to
sustain the project without the consideration of local
contexts” Craig-Smith (1995, 8). Thus, the opportunity
of having water bodies in cities should be taken benefit
to make a better environment for the city and the
people. Researches on the waterfront have argued about
the integration of the waterfront and the interface of
cities (Meyer, H. 1999). It further discussed that it turn
out to be successful in attracting people and city
economy when the waterfront project is integrated into
the structure of a city. These research studies are carried a)
out in developed countries like North America and
Europe, where the redevelopment of waterfronts have
been generally noticed. “It is still minimal in the
developing countries” (Hoyle, 2002, 141,162). Found
a reference in developing country like Malaysia, for
research study on contextual integration of waterfront
development in the city center of Kuala Lumpur by
Latip N.A (2011) examines the response of waterfront
development towards the water and evaluates the level
of contextual integration. Comparatively a lesser
amount of academic research on the waterfront can be
found in Asian countries particularly in the Indian b)
context. Thus, this research is an attempt to address the Fig.1 a) Waterfront in Developed country (North
concerns and understanding the integration between the America) and
waterfront and city. The description of waterfront b) Water edge in developing country (India)
transformation based on the different stages using the
illustration by I) Mann R. (1973) on the Impact of
development on the waterfront, II) Wrenn et al. (1983)
of pattern of waterfront development phases and III)
Hoyle’s historical model for the port city (1988 &
2000); IV) Hayuth (1988) on the phases of waterfront
transformation from the available literature study of
European and North American countries have helped to
understand the theoretical view in a more
comprehensive manner.

Indian contexts
As to emphasize, the contemplation of water in Indian
philosophy is quite diverse. Water and religion are
woven into the Indian lifestyle. The water bodies have
special significance in India. The concept of waterfront
in the Indian context can be interpreted in different
ways. Waterfront, an area of recreation has much less
significance in India compared to the socio-cultural and
religious aspects. For this purpose, several structures
such as Ghats, (large steps leading to the water body),
Ovara (access to water body with gateway), step wells,
bathing pavilions etc. have been built along water
bodies in India (Fig 2). Thus the city structure also
reflects the evolution pattern respecting all the socio-
cultural aspects, and makes the Indian waterfronts Fig. 2 Unique notion of the water edge act as distinct
unique from the rest of the world. character and language

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 International Conference on Urban Sustainability: Emerging Trends, Themes, Concepts and Practices

Yet cities have a strange tendency to forget their water V. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
bodies (Fig.3). Many urban rivers and connecting The research engaged the qualitative approach based on
canals are polluted, silted and have resulted in floods, a ‘case study method’ (Yin R.K. 2003; Kothari, C.
land erosion and other disasters. Many historic 2004) involving the archival research, the field study,
structures on the riverbanks have been demolished or including observations, visual survey, and interviews to
are being replaced by commercial structures (Breen and investigate the reasons for establishing the relation
Rigby, 1994). Bridge over the rivers, high-rise between the waterfront and city in case of Surat city in
development and highways are changing the character India. The process has been explained below in fig 4.
of the edges of the river. Waterfronts have turned their
back from the city in the battle of rapid urbanization. It
requires more attention and considerable efforts are
needed for the preservation of these unique natural
resources, urban language and character for Indian
cities.

Fig. 4 Framework for analysis

VI. A CASE OF SURAT

Fig.3 Neglected water bodies in recent development
The city of Surat was famous as a port at the prime
In recent years, several waterfront development projects location for trading and voyage in 16th, 17th and 18th
have been undertaken in cities in India such as centuries (Desai I, 1958; Maloni, R. 2003). Today,
Sabarmati Riverfront development and Nanded Surat is one of the most dynamic cities of India and
(Maharashtra) initiatives to revive their waterfronts. recognized in the leader in the world for textiles and
The inherent relation is forgotten while reclaiming of diamond businesses. The city lies on the western part of
land for revenue generation. Hoyle (1993, 33), India in the State of Gujarat on the bank of the holy
discussed considering each case is distinctive, but the River Tapi having about 6 km long coastal belt of the
fundamental principles mostly the similar. Thus Gulf of Khambhat -an inlet of the Arabian Sea (Fig.5.
subsequently the waterfront in Indian context & Fig 6) has the most important role in the evolution
transformation reviewed in the Indian context that and transformation of city structure in various stages of
influences the integration of waterfront and city. the early historical period to present time.

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 International Conference on Urban Sustainability: Emerging Trends, Themes, Concepts and Practices

Fig. 5 Surat with River Tapi at present

Fig. 6 Surat city coastal areas along river Tapi and different parts of identified study areas for field study

The popularity of road and rail transportation due to where citizens can access, appreciate and value the
convenience and speed, led to the major decline in the river. Surat faces major threats of frequent floods. Also,
waterfront transport and trading activities (Maloni, R. tidal flooding is common as the city is very close to the
2003). Typically, public access was denied and newer mouth of the river and the issues of flood management
buildings were oriented to face away from the rivers assume crucial importance. It is expected that by
and their banks. Due to the present development carrying out study the Surat city, the understanding can
pattern, the river edge is neglected completely. There be of importance to the Surat city and serve as the basis
are no proper and direct connections to the water bodies for the future study of the other cities.

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 International Conference on Urban Sustainability: Emerging Trends, Themes, Concepts and Practices

Identification of Areas for Field Study The study adopted techniques suggested as (Kothari
Based on reconnaissance survey, the areas along the 2004, 78) rating scale-indicator as, minimum, average
waterfront within Surat city were divided into seven and maximum use for evaluation of visual survey
different parts (A to G shown Fig. 6). The areas techniques. This technique offered extra means for data
identified as Part A, B, C and D are located on the left recording for scale-indicator level, based on field
side bank of and, Part E and F is located on the right observation to generate distinction between various
bank of (G is not part of the study area). The left bank parts of the city and its features (Reeve et al. 2007, 36).
is measured as 43 km (river and sea edge) and right is The mentioned factors have been recognized from the
32km. in length. Hence, the total running length of theoretical framework that has been found relevant in
banks is 75 km divided in 150 divisions for visual the context of Surat as mentioned in conceptual
documentation at regular interval of 500 mt. The field framework are the basis for the field study in the case
observations and visual survey documentation were of Surat. These factors are identified for field
done along the waterfront considering 150 mt to 200 mt observations based on the context of Surat city and its
length or the first available access road from water edge waterfronts depending on the local conditions that have
along the river Tapi. been examined to evaluate the integration of waterfront
Observations were prepared with reference to identified and city as explained below in fig. 7.
factors are mentioned, including the nature of
waterfront and locational characteristics, land use
components of functional use and activity pattern, built
form and, accessibility of the waterfront in detail.

Fig. 7 Factors affecting the integration of waterfront and city: Basis for field study, survey and interviews

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 International Conference on Urban Sustainability: Emerging Trends, Themes, Concepts and Practices

VII. EVALUATIONS & FINDINGS overall intention is to understand the present scenario of
Evaluation of Factors waterfronts and their relation between the waterfront
The various factors affecting the integration between and city from available data and information (Table 1)
the waterfront and city have been evaluated. The

Table: 1 Evaluation of Factors & Intensity Level

The maximum level of indicator of intensity 6. Unawareness & vision for consideration of
characterizes the positive qualities of factors which help waterfront
in establishing the integration between the waterfront 7. Ownership of land in riverbed areas due to
and city, whereas the minimum level suggests poor changes in water course &
quality that generates limitations or restriction, in 8. Vacant unutilized land along water bodies
establishing the relation between the waterfront and city
(Table 1). These findings can serve as the framework for any
waterfront to create sustainable strategies for
Identify the Reasons that Affect the Factors for integrating between them.
Integration
The main reasons that affect the responsible factors are VIII. RESEARCH CONCLUSION
further cross related to interviews as discussed above The conclusions about the research present
are further analyzed considering the ranking, stated that recommendations from findings and the suggestions for
the most reasons that affect the responsible factors are further research. The finding of the research can be
as mentioned helpful for local authorities in the formulation of
guidelines and policies, which are essential to establish
1. Weak implementations of policies, guidelines links between the waterfront and city followed by the
and regulations appropriate development of the available areas along
2. Lack of initial decision in planning approach the waterfront in Surat city. Findings also help authority
and Unplanned uncontrolled development to decide their short term goals (cleaning & maintain
3. Unhygienic condition of the water bodies- water quality, generating awareness, resolving
pollution, foul smell & ownership issues) and long term goals (formulation of
Erosion of bank and coast, silting, marshy land policies, appropriate flood management, coordination
and filthy banks and integration among authorities) will definitely
4. Lack of coordination and Integration support in continuing this momentum started by local
5. Frequent Flooding and existence of authorities. This generates the opportunity for new
Embankments debate regarding the enhancement of cities, their

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 International Conference on Urban Sustainability: Emerging Trends, Themes, Concepts and Practices

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