Halcrow Group Ltd. was a global engineering and consultancy firm headquartered in the United Kingdom. With decades of experience in city planning, transportation systems, and infrastructure development, Halcrow was known for its expertise in master planning complex urban areas around the world.
Later, Halcrow became a part of CH2M Hill, which was acquired by Jacobs Engineering Group, a Fortune 500 company specializing in global infrastructure and smart development projects.
Halcrow Contribution to Dholera Smart City
Master Plan of Dholera Special Investment Region
In the early stages of the Dholera Smart City project, the Gujarat Government and DMIC Development Corporation (DMICDC) appointed Halcrow to prepare the Comprehensive Integrated Master Plan of the Dholera Special Investment Region.
This plan became the foundation for all future development in Dholera. It included:
- Land use strategy
- Zoning for industrial, residential, and commercial areas
- Environmental planning
- Sustainable infrastructure blueprint
- Mobility and logistics framework
- Phased development model
Halcrow’s approach followed international smart city guidelines and made sure the city could scale smoothly from a few thousand to millions of residents and businesses.
City Zoning and Land Use Strategy
Halcrow divided Dholera into functional zones that would support both economic growth and residential quality of life. Here are the major zones planned:
| Zone | Purpose |
|---|---|
| City Center | Central Business District (CBD), office spaces, civic centers |
| Residential Zone | Housing, apartments, gated communities, public amenities |
| Industrial Zone | Manufacturing units, light/heavy industries, logistics |
| Knowledge & IT Zone | Universities, colleges, IT parks, research institutions |
| Commercial Zone | Malls, retail markets, offices, restaurants |
| Tourism & Hospitality Zone | Hotels, eco-tourism, resorts, entertainment |
| Logistics Hub | Warehouses, cargo terminals, freight corridors |
| Public Utility Zone | Hospitals, police/fire stations, schools |
| Green & Recreational Zone | Parks, urban forests, playgrounds, sports facilities |
This type of zoning ensures that Dholera Smart City will remain organized, traffic-friendly, and balanced in terms of development.
Infrastructure Planning & Utility Design
Halcrow also prepared a full infrastructure blueprint, including modern urban systems such as:
- Smart Roads & Transport Systems: Grid-based road network for smoother traffic, integrated metro and expressways.
- Water Supply & Sewerage: Sustainable water sourcing, underground sewage system, water treatment plants.
- Power Supply & Renewable Energy: Solar energy farms, electric grids, and uninterrupted energy supply.
- Drainage & Stormwater: Flood-resilient stormwater management design.
- ICT & Communication Infrastructure: Optical fiber network, data centers, and smart surveillance systems.
This planning ensured that Dholera would be a technology-first, future-ready smart city.
Sustainable City Planning
Sustainability was a core focus of Halcrow’s plan. They implemented:
- Green building zones
- Solar power integration
- Water conservation techniques
- Zero-waste strategy
- Eco-friendly transport model (EV readiness)
- Rainwater harvesting & natural water recharge systems
With these elements, Dholera aims to become one of the most sustainable smart cities in Asia.
What Happened After Halcrow?
Once the master plan was approved, the execution was handed over to:
- AECOM (USA) – Reviewed and updated planning for technical execution.
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T) – Infrastructure and road construction.
- Tata Projects – Utilities, power, and EPC works.
- Wipro & IBM – Smart ICT and data center partners.
But it was Halcrow’s initial planning that served as the base for all this development.
Why Halcrow’s Role Matters Today
Halcrow’s master plan is still relevant and followed today because:
- It ensures organized development across all 6 Town Planning Schemes (TP1–TP6).
- It was designed for long-term scalability — the city can grow for decades without chaos.
- It used global standards, making Dholera attractive for international investment.
- It integrated smart technology and sustainable urban solutions before it became a trend.
Final Words
The success of any mega city project depends on a strong foundation. Halcrow laid that foundation for Dholera Smart City with its world-class planning, clear zoning, and forward-thinking infrastructure design. As Dholera grows into a global business and industrial hub, Halcrow’s role will always be remembered as the one who gave shape to India’s smartest city.
