CEPT University Architects Envision Sustainable Olympic Village for Ahmedabad's 2036 Bid
In a groundbreaking academic exercise, architects and housing design students at CEPT University in Ahmedabad have conceptualized Novo Ville, a visionary Olympic Village designed for the city's potential hosting of the 2036 Olympic Games. This innovative project reimagines how temporary sporting infrastructure can evolve into permanent urban assets.
Academic Exploration Meets Urban Planning
A team of twelve master's students specializing in housing design, guided by faculty members, developed this comprehensive plan on 300 acres of land along the Sabarmati riverfront near the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera. The project addresses a critical question that often plagues Olympic host cities: What happens to the Olympic Village after the Games conclude?
Rather than creating temporary structures destined for demolition, the CEPT team approached the challenge with long-term urban integration in mind. Neethu Mathew, a co-tutor at the university, explained the philosophical underpinnings: "The city as we see it today is an aggregate of what has been built over a long time, with parts retained, parts demolished, parts rebuilt – over and over again. This process has been going on for over 600 years in the case of Ahmedabad."
Design Philosophy: From Temporary Accommodation to Permanent Legacy
The Novo Ville concept represents a significant departure from traditional Olympic Village designs. Sohan Nilkanth, a visiting faculty member and practicing architect, articulated the vision: "Novo Ville emerges not as a temporary dormitory destined for dismantling, but as a city within a city, a living extension of Ahmedabad's evolving urban fabric. It is imagined not as logistics, but as legacy."
The design incorporates several innovative approaches:
- Adaptive Reuse Planning: Rather than designing exclusively for Olympic needs, the housing units are conceived as regular residential spaces that would temporarily accommodate athletes and officials during the Games, then transition seamlessly into permanent housing with minimal modifications.
- Riverfront Transportation: The plan proposes using boats along the Sabarmati river as an alternative transportation mode to alleviate potential traffic congestion during the Games.
- Developer-Driven Model: The project suggests dividing the development among multiple developers, with each responsible for specific sections that include both Olympic accommodation and regular apartments.
Historical Context and Modern Innovation
Neeraja Bhalerao, one of the participating students, provided historical perspective: "The Olympic Village as a concept has evolved alongside global history. Before the 1920s, athletes were housed in hotels, boarding schools, or military barracks. Paris 1924 introduced a rudimentary 'village' of wooden huts near the stadium, but Los Angeles 1932 had the first modern purpose-built Olympic Village."
The CEPT project builds upon this evolution while introducing contemporary sustainable principles. Devesh Bapat, who worked on the project with colleagues Jay Muni and Khushal Navawal, explained the design approach: "The objective was to design compact unit types for single or double occupancy that could be attached, repeated, and clustered in multiple ways to optimize spatial use while maintaining essential qualities of good housing."
Urban Integration and Environmental Considerations
The students addressed numerous urban planning challenges through their collective manifesto:
- Maximum floor height regulations to maintain urban aesthetics
- Public access provisions to each development site
- Environmental considerations including green zones and riverfront preservation
- Comprehensive traffic and pedestrian circulation planning
Chinmayee Mokshagundam, a teaching assistant involved with the project, emphasized the importance of permanent solutions: "Tents are not a solution, although they can be dismantled. The visitors have to be provided with a better-level of accommodation, including proper facilities and amenities to be able to stay comfortably, practice, and perform well at the games."
Legacy Benefits for Ahmedabad
The Novo Ville project envisions multiple long-term benefits for Ahmedabad:
- Enhanced Housing Stock: Creation of diverse apartment types and community facilities that remain after the Games
- Green Infrastructure: Development of traffic-free parks, playfields, and recreational spaces along a green spine accessible to all residents
- Riverfront Revitalization: Transformation of the Sabarmati riverfront with eateries, garden restaurants, and public recreation spaces
- International Recognition: A unique urban development symbolizing India's potential for excellence in global events
This academic project, recently exhibited at CEPT University, demonstrates how forward-thinking urban planning can transform the challenge of Olympic infrastructure into an opportunity for sustainable city development. As Ahmedabad positions itself as a potential host for the 2036 Olympics, such innovative approaches to legacy planning could prove instrumental in creating a successful bid and lasting urban benefits.
