ICLEI South Asia’s technical contributions to various climate-resilient urban development initiatives in Ahmedabad were recognised during the Urban Development Year 2025 Celebration event hosted by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on 19 July 2025, to showcase the city’s key transformational and pioneering urban initiatives.  

In May 2025, the Government of Gujarat marked a significant milestone by commemorating 20 years of the transformative ‘Urban Development Year 2005’ initiative, launched initially under the visionary leadership of then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi. This pioneering effort laid the groundwork for Gujarat’s comprehensive and forward-looking urban transformation. To celebrate this legacy, the ‘Gujarat Urban Development Year 2025–26’ was officially inaugurated on 27 May 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring the state’s continued commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and visionary urban growth. 

The event, graced by Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat; Pratibhaben Jain, Mayor of Ahmedabad; Banchhanidhi Pani, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad; Jatin Patel, Deputy Mayor, Ahmedabad; and Devang Dani, Chairman, Standing Committee, Ahmedabad, celebrated the city’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and future-forward growth in alignment with Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Gujarat 2047— government of India’s vision to transform and achieve developed nation and state status by the centenary of its independence in 2047.

As a part of its long-standing collaboration with AMC, ICLEI South Asia has been instrumental in shaping the city’s climate resilience and urban sustainability roadmap. Several key initiatives, supported by ICLEI South Asia, launched during the event reinforce the city’s ambition to become a net-zero, climate-resilient and future-ready urban centre.

Launch of the Ahmedabad’s Action Plan for the Urban Development Year 2025-26 

The Ahmedabad’s Action Plan for the Urban Development Year is a comprehensive blueprint for citywide development. Aligned with the long-term goals of Viksit Bharat 2047, Viksit Gujarat 2047 and Ahmedabad Net-zero Climate Resilient City Action Plan (Net-zero CRCAP), this plan outlines strategies across eight thematic pillars that include urban infrastructure & services, ease of movement, sustainability & climate resilience, government reforms, beautification & urban greening, housing & livelihood promotion, citizen engagement, inclusive & gender-friendly city.

ICLEI South Asia provided technical support to AMC in formulating this strategic action plan under the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)-funded Capacity Building Project on Low Carbon and Climate Resilient City Development in India (CapaCITIES). The plan reflects a data-driven, integrated, and locally contextual approach to sustainable urbanisation.

India’s First Policy on Good Construction Practices to Reduce Air Pollution

To address construction-related air pollution, Ahmedabad unveiled India’s first city-level ‘Policy on Good Construction Practices’. The policy introduces several measures to control dust pollution from construction sites, such as real-time air quality monitoring at construction sites >20,000 m², mandatory use of mist machines and dust suppression methods, on-site CCTV surveillance for compliance, use of green cover and wind barriers to reduce particulate matter, safe handling, storage, and transfer of construction materials, training and capacity-building for workers and contractors, and strict construction and demolition waste management as per AMC’s notifications. 

ICLEI South Asia provided technical support in preparing this policy and has been supporting AMC in its ongoing efforts to improve air quality under the National Clean Air Programme. As per the Central Pollution Control Board, Ahmedabad has successfully reduced the PM10 levels in the city by 40% in 2024 as compared to the levels in 2018–19. In recognition of this impressive progress, Ahmedabad has received an additional ₹1,274 million as performance-based incentive grants, underscoring its leadership in clean air initiatives.

Urban Greening Policy Measures for a Greener, sustainable, and resilient Ahmedabad

Reinforcing the city’s commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision under Mission LiFE – “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam“, the Panchamrit commitments made at COP26, Ahmedabad’s ‘Mission Million Trees’ campaign, and the Ahmedabad Net-zero CRCAP, the AMC released the comprehensive ‘Urban Greening Policy Measures for a Greener Ahmedabad: Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Future’. 

ICLEI South Asia provided technical support to the city in preparing these policy measures. It focuses on promoting tree plantation in public and private areas, conserving existing trees, improving biodiversity, adopting scientific greening practices, increasing tree survival rate, and developing diverse green spaces such as urban forests, rooftop gardens, and oxygen parks. It also encourages public participation, CSR/CER engagement, and community awareness through targeted campaigns and training initiatives. The policy measures emphasise the need for regulations for tree pruning and tree felling activities, along with proper disposal and management of green waste. With the successful implementation of the policy, AMC aims to foster a nature-positive, climate-resilient urban ecosystem for Ahmedabad’s future.

On-Route Solar-Powered Electric Bus Charging Station at RTO Circle

In a pioneering initiative, the ‘On-route Solar-Powered Electric Charging Station for Public Electric Buses’ was inaugurated, the first of its kind in India for public e-buses. It is developed by AMC with support from Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited and ICLEI South Asia under the SDC-funded CapaCITIES Phase II project.

This station will support the charging of 40-45 e-buses daily, with 20% to 25% of the total electricity consumption sourced from renewable energy, thus contributing in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The initiative saves approximately 0.4 million kWh of electricity, avoids 470 tCO₂e GHG emissions annually, and eliminates 120 hours of non-revenue-generating travel time daily while saving an estimated INR 15 million annually. 

As most Indian cities operate buses under a gross cost model, the introduction of on-route charging infrastructure powered by renewable energy presents a valuable opportunity to improve the effectiveness of urban transport systems while achieving significant energy and cost savings. The AMC now plans to replicate this model across three additional sites.

MoU signing for CapaCITIES Phase III

The MoU for Phase III of the CapaCITIES project was exchanged between AMC Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani and ICLEI South Asia Director Soumya Chaturvedula, in the presence of the Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and other city leadership.

CapaCITIES Phase III will provide technical support to AMC for:

• Operationalisation of the ‘Net-zero, Environment and Climate Resilient Cell’
• Preparation of sector-wise annual action plans in line with the Net-zero CRCAP 
• Preparation and monitoring of an annual climate budget
• Development of Climate Investment Plan 2030
• Access to climate finance mechanisms

ICLEI South Asia will provide technical support under this project, ensuring scientific rigour, capacity-building, and systems-level transformation to institutionalise climate resilience in AMC’s regular planning process.

ICLEI South Asia will continue supporting Ahmedabad in its climate and urban development journey. Through long-term technical support, data-backed planning, and systemic interventions, ICLEI South Asia is helping shape Ahmedabad into a model for low-carbon, inclusive, and resilient urban development in India.

The celebration of Urban Development Year 2025 marks a reaffirmation of Ahmedabad’s leadership in urban innovation and in advancing sustainable urban futures.