Ahmedabad, seventh largest populous city of India and Commercial Capital of Gujarat State has unique identity recognize by River Sabarmati and Gandhi Ashram established on its western Bank (Famous World over by Name Satyagrah Ashram). Sultan Ahmad Shah established the city in 1411. The City is spared over area of 190.84 Sq. Km. The River Sabarmati flows from north to south in the center of the city and splits the city in almost two equal parts. The city encompasses Population of about 4.5 million. Ahmedabad experiences hot and arid climate with scanty Rainfall. River Sabarmati is backbone of the development of Urban Sprawl of Ahmedabad.

At present the riverfront lies neglected and characterized by unimaginative and unplanned development. It’s potential to provide city level social infrastructure and recreation facilities lie untapped. Though it is a major source of water for the city and despite the building of a major barrage to retain water, except for a few months during the monsoon the river is dry. Sewage contaminated storm water out-falls and the dumping of industrial waste pose a major health and environmental hazard. Though the riverbanks and bed provide a place to stay and source of livelihood for many poor citizens, the riverbank slums are disastrously flood prone and lack basic infrastructure services. The slums located along the riverbed also pose a major impediment to efficient management of monsoon flood sin the river.
It has long been acknowledged that appropriate development of the riverfront can turn the river into a major asset, which can improve the quality of environment and life in Ahmedabad and improve the efficiency of its infrastructure. In May 1997, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation established the Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) under Section 149 (3) of the Companies Act 1956. The SRFDCL was provided with seed capital of Rs. one crore and charged with the responsibility of developing the Sabarmati Riverfront. In August 1997, the SRFDCL appointed Environmental Planning Collaborative (EPC) a city based not for profit urban planning and urban development management consulting firm to prepare a comprehensive proposal for the development of the Sabarmati Riverfront.