Arcade Independence Square:

An added spark of colour to Colombo

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Colombo has become more spacious, greener and more beautiful. The regeneration of the city from its former state to the new has transformed the entire city profile completely with huge value addition to the properties.

The 'Independence Square' redevelopment project is one of such projects first to initiate by the Government. It involved reviving iconic landmark redevelopment of around 100 hectares of landmass. The entire change done at a cost is not only to make the city beautiful. A number of projects were implemented to upgrade the physical condition of the Colombo city based on the garden city concept. A lot of leisure activities for the public have been created providing opportunities to witness real freedom.

New member

Apart from areas made available for recreation purposes of the general public such as the jogging paths and renovated parks many other areas are made to generate an income. Many of the revamped buildings in and around the Independence Square have become income generating venues serving the high end market. It is a return on the investment the Government made.

As of today another member joins the 'Independence Square' club bringing not only a value addition but reinstating a glory that faded away with time. With the renovations done to the majestic building that previously housed the Auditor General's office is the new member with ample space for classy shopping and relaxation in the middle of the Colombo city. Parapet walls of public buildings were scrapped down to make way for efficient land use. Once hidden among the trees just as an old building the glory it brings today to the elegance of the 'Independence Square' is unimaginable. It is not just beauty but beauty for a cause.

The once abandoned building has been given an overhaul with modern facilities while no change is being done to its architectural features. Out of the 90,000 square feet floor area 40,000 square feet will be available for the high end private sector business enterprises. Facilities have also been created to host large events and gatherings. The spacious shopping stalls have been installed with all modern amenities including special lighting and communication systems.

Without letting the old buildings with renovating potentials decay in to rubble they are rebuilt with indigenous knowledge and efforts making those buildings an important part of the Colombo city. These building once served as landmarks in the Colombo city housing important businesses and public services.

Old glory

Apart from being the commercial capital Colombo has a number of such heritage buildings constructed during Dutch and British era. They are icons of the city and have the potential of being of high commercial value. When this came to the attention of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa he gave the Urban Development Authority the green light to renovate suitable buildings. The first one was the Dutch hospital which is now thriving with foreign tourists and locals equally. And currently the Urban Development Authority as the responsible member of the Public service sector for upgrading townships, are continuing with the renovations of several iconic buildings in the Colombo city.

Under the current Urban Regeneration Program of the Urban Development Authority two such buildings of the Colombo city will be renovated and refurbished. According to a spokesperson from the UDA media unit the former St. John's fish market building and Gaffoor building in Colombo Fort area will be renovated and refurbished making them high tech economic centres of the Colombo Metropolitan area. And within a short period these will be open for businesses. Similarly former Marketing Department building in Colombo 7 in the neighbourhood of the Independence Square is now being transformed in to a high end market place. All this is happening while getting all ready to open the former Auditor General's building.

Due to misuse and lack of maintenance and also haphazard development, important parts of the Colombo city such as the Independence Square, lost its importance and grandeur. These refurbishing happens keeping the same structure of the building which is its characteristic. According to the Architects of the UDA it is quite a challenging job. And transforming it to a luxurious setting is far more challenging. Development work was carried out with paying concern to the environment and enhancing its uniqueness. In keeping to the green, clean and open space concept the area under development was incorporated with stretches of open greenery, trees and plants and ponds with enough 'breathing space'.

A pool of professionals including town planners, architects, engineers and landscape designers of the UDA were involved in every stage of the project.

Many line agencies especially the Colombo Municipal Council have supported immensely in completing this gigantic work. Sri Lanka Navy supported the UDA with all the necessary construction works in rebuilding the old Auditor General's building . Their assistance made this a very cost effective project.

The ownership of the land and building space will be with the UDA. It is expected that the term management mechanism of leasing the building spaces for business ventures will help recover initial development costs and the overall project plan ensures long term sustainability and growth.

New era

Before a permanent peaceful condition prevailed in the country, the City of Colombo and all other provincial urban centres lost many opportunities to achieve sustainable urban development during the recent past. Threats from terrorism were huge drawbacks for many development activities not only in the North and the East but for the entire country.

Following geo-political changes that took place in the country in May 2009, more attention was paid to the overall development of the country out of which developing the country's commercial hub the Colombo city became a priority. The City of Colombo continued to grow as the prime Commercial Capital of Sri Lanka. If not for the drawbacks we experienced before 2009, the strategic location of Sri Lanka in general and the City of Colombo in particular, located in close proximity to vital international marine transportation routes, would have grown dramatically as the key commercial hub of Asia.

The government's policy framework the Mahinda Chinthana: Vision for Future has correctly recognised these development trends and strengthened the institutional framework which directly involved the Urban Development Sector and adopted clear strategies to develop Colombo and other important and regional centres of Sri Lanka.