Urban planning sets the stage for a modern Colombo

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

About 60 percent of the population would be living in urban areas by 2020, according to the latest statistics of the Urban Development Authority. The estimated average rate of urbanisation in the country from 2010 to 2020 would be in the range of three percent to four percent per annum, while the country's annual population growth rate would be less than 1.2 percent.

With the end to civil unrest Sri Lanka is expeditiously heading towards urbanisation. Sri Lanka needs dynamic cities across the country to meet the demands of this changing society. As a first step, the Government has given attention to Colombo since it is the country’s gateway to the world – economically and socially. Urban planning has set the stage for a new city in the Colombo metro area as well as its peripherals.

The regeneration of the city from its former state to face new demands will transform the entire city profile completely with huge value addition to the properties while addressing sustainability issues of development.

Changes

The basis for the proper development of a city is town planning also known as urban planning (which is a separate skill). Urban planning is designing settlements, from the smallest towns to the largest cities. Slowly but steadily, outstation cities are also being developed and proper town planning is the key to success. With numerous changes taking place in many cities, town or urban planning has become a popular profession.

In another six years there will be an increased demand for developed urban areas and it is the responsibility of professional planners to come up with creative plans for safe, sustainable and efficient cities with modern green environment concepts.

Chairman, Institute of Town Planners, Professor P.K.S. Mahanama

Head, Country and Town Planning Department, Moratuwa University, Dr. Jagath Munasinghe

Chairman, Young Planners Forum, Institute of Town Planners, Hasitha Lewke Bandara

Do we have competent professionals to meet the demand? With graduates passing out each year from the University of Moratuwa holding a Bachelor’s degree in Town and Country Planning along with senior professionals, Sri Lanka has a steady pool of experts to cater to the demand.

The turning point in urban development took place in 2010 with specific Government decisions taking urban development under the Ministry of Defence, said Head, Country and Town Planning Department, University of Moratuwa, Dr. Jagath Munasinghe.

“If we do not want another war to come up in our country planning safe and efficient cities is crucial,” he said.

New trend

Improperly planned urban areas provide a breeding ground for illegal activities affecting safety and an unsafe living environment does not support an efficient work force.

“There is a progress in the urban development sector with the turn around in administration and it can go a long way in identifying and correcting questionable areas,” said Dr. Munasinghe.

The new trend in Sri Lanka's urban development sphere has created a better job market for graduates passing out.

“Today many government and private institutes are looking for creative, bright young planners,” he added.

Dr. Munasinghe said that students with a high Z score at the G.C.E. Advanced Level exam are selected for the degree course. Thus one can say that the cream of those who have passed the Advanced Level are enrolled. The undergraduates study 64 subjects including GIS technology, sociology, transport as well as arts and crafts. A town or an urban planner has a broad spectrum of knowledge and wisdom. It shows the gravity of the job. Planning an urban area is not an easy task.

It is a combination of technical knowledge, sociology and creativity.

Knowledge hub

The Department of Town and Country Planning of the University of Moratuwa has been selected as the Sri Lanka National Centre for South Asian Urban Knowledge Hub, under the project funded by Asian Development Bank.

The project aims at developing knowledge products and sharing good practices in the areas of urban development and resource management among South Asian countries.

“We as a country we are still behind world trend in urban planning as previous governments unfortunately failed to recognise its importance. The Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Town planning launched at the Moratuwa University in 2003 is the only degree program in the mainstream universities of Sri Lanka. Previously the program was at a post-graduate level where architects, engineers were able to acquire knowledge,” he said.

According to records, the first town planner was Oliver Weerasinghe.

“Weerasinghe was the brains behind the planning of the Anuradhapura sacred city,” said Dr. Munasinghe, explaining the history of Town Planners in Sri Lanka.

Town or Urban planning dates back to the 1970s, according to Dr. Munasinghe. It was during the British colonial era that the Town and Country Planning Ordinance was implemented.

Yet development was confined to main cities like Colombo and Kandy.

Turning point

Following the effects of the open economy a need arose to plan the capital city Colombo in a more organised way to meet economic and social demands.

Several foreign professionals were brought to Sri Lanka and it raised the need for local professionals.

The setting up of the Town and Country Planning Department and the Urban Development Authority were turning points for town planning in national development activities.

According to historical chronicles, the concept of town planning has a long history and emerged in the early Anuradhapura period. Following which, several cities such as Sigiriya, Yapahuwa Dambadeniya, Kandy and Kotte emerged.

When considering the concept of town planning in the world, its modern origins lies in the movement for urban reforms that arose as a reaction against the disorder of the industrial cities in the mid nineteenth century.

Urban planning can include urban renewal, by adapting urban planning methods to cities suffering from decline.

Alternatively, it can concern the massive challenges associated with urban growth, particularly in the Global South.

Since the late twentieth century, the term sustainable development represents an ideal outcome in the sum of all planning goals.

Strong influence

Sri Lanka was privileged to have professionals in town planning streamlined to accelerate development soon after gaining permanent peace.

We have an Institute of Town Planners incorporated by an Act implemented in August 1986.

Presently chaired by Professor P.K.S. Mahanama, the Institute of Town Planners is the umbrella organization for professionals. The institute is a strong influence in strengthening the professionalism of the trade and encouraging young planners to emerge.

With more graduates coming out of university with degrees in Town and Urban Planning there is a high demand to obtain the services of young planners in national development.

“As more towns are being declared as areas belonging to the Urban Development Authority, there is an increase in demand for proper town planning,” said Hasitha Lewke Bandara, Chairman of the Young Planners Forum of the Institute of Town Planners.

Menace

“While the UDA does the development work, maintenance is the responsibility of the local authorities. That is how the Sri Lankan mechanism works. So professional town planners are ideal for this job when employed under local authorities,” said Bandara.

He said that since 100–200 town planners graduate each year from the University of Moratuwa there are enough young professionals for the job.

If the local authorities incorporate more professional town planners, the sustainability of local urban area development will be efficiently maintained.

“For example, illegal constructions have become a menace in many towns.

This can be totally prevented if town planning is done correctly by professionals. Otherwise it not only blocks development but creates numerous social issues," explained Bandara.

Today the world considers Town Planners as green collar workers. They are needed to fulfill the demand for green development. They implement environment-conscious design, policy, and technology to improve conservation and sustainability. Youth initiative is crucial to make our cities hubs of economic development with energy-efficient environmentally sustainable practices.

"Before changes took place in the town-planning sector many young graduates migrated to countries such as Australia, Canada as there was a huge demand for town planners in those countries. And the high recognition of the Moratuwa University degree elevated the demand. These young planners serve the motherland only for one or two years and when they cannot find a better job they migrate. This brain drain has a negative impact on the country," said Bandara.

But today the trend is showing a down turn with more job opportunities opening up for the freshers.

"However, more chances could be created specially in the Government sector connected to national development. With such initiatives we can keep more young planners in the country. It will be major contribution to sustainable development," he said.