As urbanization spreads throughout India, sustainable and smart city planning has become the top priority of government initiatives and private enterprises alike. At the forefront of this transformation is Dholera – India’s inaugural greenfield smart city, which serves as an example for future urban developments. Dholera represents more than just another city project; it represents an impressive step toward sustainable urban living through eco-friendly practices, cutting-edge technologies, and offering residents a high quality of life.
Mirrikh Infratech believes Dholera embodies our ideal vision of a sustainable city – meeting modern living demands while protecting natural resources. In this blog, we’ll take an in-depth look at its innovative design, environmentally friendly infrastructure, and why it has set a new benchmark in urban development in India.
The Vision Behind Dholera Smart City
Dholera, located in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad district and part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor initiative (DMIC), covers an approximate 920 square kilometer area – making it one of India’s largest and most ambitious smart city projects. From its design from scratch forward, sustainability, efficient infrastructure management, and advanced urban planning were at the forefront when creating Dholera.
Dholera stands as a beacon of urban areas for urbanization’s next phase: one in which urban development entails creating environments that foster well-being, resilience, and sustainability. The government envisions the Future-ready urban center as a model smart city that integrates green initiatives, renewable energy sources, and smart technologies to set a new standard of urban living. It also focuses on energy efficiency, water efficiency, and Future-ready urban planning to mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote long-term resilience.
Sustainable City Planning: The Core of Dholera’s Design
One of Dholera’s defining characteristics is its commitment to sustainable city planning. Aimed at reducing its ecological impact, he Future-ready urban center integrates eco-friendly practices in land use, solid waste management, public transportation, and energy use.
Efficient Land Use and Zoning
At Mirrikh Infratech, we understand the critical role zoning can play in creating a balanced and efficient city. Dholera’s layout features three zones–residential, commercial, and industrial–each optimized to its intended use. This minimizes urban sprawl while supporting each sector equally.
Dholera reduces greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion by strategically situating industrial zones near transportation hubs and creating mixed-use spaces for electric vehicles like electric cars. It also incorporates green buildings and green roofs, aiming to promote sustainable consumption by reducing emissions by 50 per cent and ensuring efficient resource management.
Green Spaces and Urban Biodiversity
Dholera’s emphasis on public spaces goes beyond traditional parks. The city integrates green zones, gardens, and tree-lined avenues that improve air quality, mitigate heat waves, and support biodiversity. These green areas provide habitats for local flora and fauna, contributing to sustainable communities and combating environmental degradation.
Walkable and Cyclable City Design
Dholera was designed to encourage walking and cycling as primary modes of transport in every part of the city, similar to urban planning initiatives seen in San Francisco. The city offers safe pedestrian-friendly pathways and dedicated bike lanes that promote active lifestyles among its residents while simultaneously reducing air pollution, greenhouse gases, and carbon emissions. It is an example of sustainable transport in action.
Renewable Energy: Powering Dholera’s Sustainable Future
Dholera was designed as a self-sufficient city, with renewable energy as one of its primary power sources – particularly solar energy and a smart power grid. The sustainable urban center seeks sustainable economic growth while significantly decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar Energy Integration
Dholera’s commitment to energy efficiency can be seen through its construction of one of the world’s largest solar parks, with an anticipated capacity of 5,000 MW. This park supplies clean energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting a circular economy.
Smart Grid Technology
Dholera’s smart grid technology enables efficient energy use, real-time monitoring, and reduced losses, ensuring a resilient system capable of meeting fluctuating demands.
Advanced Water Management: Ensuring a Sustainable Water Supply
Rainwater Harvesting and Recharge
Dholera prioritizes water efficiency with an advanced rainwater harvesting system that reduces dependency on external water sources and prevents natural disasters such as droughts.
Wastewater Recycling
The city utilizes wastewater recycling systems for landscaping, industrial cooling, and other non-potable uses, reducing strain on basic services and ensuring a sustainable supply.
Smart Water Monitoring Systems
The city’s smart water management system tracks consumption patterns, promoting responsible production patterns and reducing wastage.
Waste Management: Moving Toward Zero Waste
Dholera employs an integrated solid waste management system focused on reduction, recycling, and reuse. The town promotes waste segregation, public transport initiatives to reduce emissions, and waste-to-energy conversion to generate sustainable power.
Technological Innovation: The Backbone of Dholera’s Sustainability
Integrated Command and Control Center
Dholera features an integrated governance system that ensures efficient management of urban centers and metropolitan areas, improving emergency response and town services.
Internet of Things (IoT) and Data Analytics
IoT-enabled infrastructure monitors air quality, urban population trends, and resource consumption, optimizing city services.
E-Governance and Citizen Engagement
Dholera’s e-governance platform increases transparency, enabling residents to access city services efficiently and participate in town planning.
Dholera: A Model for Future Sustainable Cities
Dholera is more than just an urban center; it is a model for small cities, urban residents, and growing rural areas across Latin America, the Middle East, and beyond. It highlights the importance of affordable housing, public spaces, and smart infrastructure in modern city planning.
At Mirrikh Infratech, we believe Dholera is setting the stage for future smart cities, proving that urbanization can go hand-in-hand with environmental preservation, environmental justice, and economic prosperity.
What role do green spaces play in creating a sustainable city?
Green spaces in sustainable cities play a crucial role in improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effects, providing habitats for biodiversity, and offering recreational areas for residents. They contribute to overall well-being, mental health, and resilience against climate change impacts.
How can renewable energy sources be integrated into a sustainable city?
Renewable energy sources can be integrated into sustainable cities through methods like solar panels on buildings, wind turbines in strategic locations, and biomass energy production, as advocated by the Green Building Council. These sources help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower carbon footprint, and significantly lower energy consumption while promoting sustainable development, sustainable transportation, and a cleaner environment for inhabitants.
Conclusion
Dholera is a sustainable city designed for the future, embodying innovation, resilience, and efficiency. From solar power and efficient water management to waste reduction and smart governance, Dholera exemplifies how towns can grow sustainably without diminishing the quality of life.
As India continues its urbanization journey, Dholera SIR’s model will be instrumental in shaping the towns of tomorrow. For individuals, businesses, and investors, it presents a groundbreaking opportunity; for Mirrikh Infratech, it is a testament to the potential of sustainable urban planning.
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