B In 2026, Ahmedabad stands at a fascinating architectural crossroads. As Gujarat’s largest city and India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad continues to honor its rich historical legacy while embracing futuristic design and sustainability. The city’s skyline and streetscape are evolving rapidly, making it a prime example of how tradition and modern innovation can coexist.
Architecture tends to consume everything else it has become one's entire life.
The Heritage Core: Pols, Stepwells, and Temples.
Ahmedabad’s walled city, with its iconic pols (traditional housing clusters), remains a vibrant, living example of centuries-old urban planning.
The Rise of Smart Urbanism
Under the Smart Cities Mission, Ahmedabad has seen significant technological and infrastructural upgrades. In areas like Bopal, GIFT City (in nearby Gandhinagar), and Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, we now see:
Green-certified skyscrapers
Solar-panel-lined roads
AI-based traffic control systems
Underground utility corridors
GIFT City: India’s Global Financial Hub
Although technically in Gandhinagar, GIFT City has dramatically influenced Ahmedabad’s architectural ethos. The futuristic skyline—boasting glass towers, energy-efficient systems, and smart grid technology—sets the tone for how the region views architecture and infrastructure. Several architectural firms are now blending similar aesthetics into Ahmedabad’s newer business districts.
