South Asia Region Urbanization Knowledge Platform

Urban Regeneration and Inclusive Growth for South Asian Cities

Hotel Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri lanka,20th-21st ,2012

Plnr, Indu.S. Weerasoori Deputy Director General( Planning) Urban Development Authority

Outline
Overview of My Country, Sri Lanka Background Issues on Urbanization Challenges Way forward

Overview

Full Name: Democratic socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Area: 65,610 Sq .Km Population: 19.4 million (2005) Population : 21.2 million (2011 )* Total Urban Population:4.07 Million(2005) Population growth rate(2005-2010): 0.69% Provinces: 09 Capital city (commercial ) & largest city : Colombo

Source: Urbanization and Sustainability in Asia, Basil van and Sisira Pinnawala *Index mundi

Introduction-Sri Lanka
Lying off the Southern tip of India It is one of the smaller countries in south Asia The population is multi ethnic and multi religious in composition It was one of the first developing countries in the world to established the basic elements of a welfare state. Sri Lanka despite of its smaller size ,has rich bio-diversity distributed within a wide range ecosystem ranging from rain forest to grass land.

Back ground of Urbanization

Compare with other countries Sri Lanka has low level of urbanization. The urban population has heavily concentrated towards the South West coast of the country, especially the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The growth rate of urban population in the officially designated urban territories has been slowing in the last inter- census period. i.e.. 1971-1981*

Source: Urbanization and urban growth in Sri Lanka, Prof. Willie Mendis,1996 Cont.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Urban Population in Sri Lanka (1891-1981)

Year 1891 Urban Population % 10.6
*Data from 1891 to 1953 are in respect of MC&UC area only. The data from 1963 to 1981 include town council area also. But data for 2001 includes M.C&U.C area only

1901
1911 1921 1946 1953 1965

11.6
13.1 14.2 15.4 15.3 19.1

1971
1981 2001

22.4
21.5 Source: Dept. of Census & Statistics

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The problem associated with urbanization are most prominent in the Greater Colombo area where 43% of population live in slum and shanty settlements. The situation of shanty settlements in and around Colombo is serious because they are located in areas unsuitable for residential purposes. The available studies has indicated that urban status of Sri Lanka has changed over a period of time corresponding to the changes made in various legislations.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

 Urban Status is conferred on an area by the Minister In Charge of Local Government. The above situation changed in 1987 with the repeal of the Town Council Ordinance. Several areas outside the M.C. and U.C. have also been declared as urban development areas by the Urban Development Authority as an Urban Development Area

Issues

Land scarcity (problems of supplying habitable space ) Spiraling land values. Overloading of physical Infrastructure. Uneven distribution( Urban population has been weighted towards coastal area of Southern & Western ) Urban Poverty Degradation of urban environment and environment pollution Encroachment of sensitive areas Disaster risk and impact of climate change . Definition of urban Area Isolated aging population . Lack of Institutional Capacity. E.g Local Authorities

CHALLENGES
Environmental Pollution and Degradation 1. Air 2. Noise 3. Water 4. Land

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Encroachment of Environmentally sensitive areas which are not suitable for human habitation. 1. Road/Railway reservations 2. Canal reservations & Beaches 3. Wetlands/ Marshes 4. Archeological sites 5. Religious/ Cultural sites 6. Detention/Retention areas 7. Sand dunes

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Population Explosion 1. Providing infrastructure facilities. 2. Shared resources among many people. 3. Improper distribution of wealth and resources.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Sanitation, water and transport problems. Diminishing the Green Cover. Loss of prime agricultural land due to urban sprawl. Housing land supply, infrastructure

amenities.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Lack of Green Space and Urban Heat

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Additional demand on Social and Physical infrastructure. Colombo 0.7 million resident population and 1.8 to 2 million daily commuters.
Solid waste disposal problems.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Way forward
Redefine definition of Urban and compute a total population considering the prevailing situation . Create of strategic transport and communication net works to link each and every urban agglomeration (according to the approved national physical planning policy and proposed spatial framework ) Ensure the threshold population for newly create urban settlements to sustain them in the long run . Strength local authorities to deliver effective services Prepare rational spatial development plans for urban centers with suitable regulatory frame work including zoning laws. Mainstream disaster risk reduction into national Plans and Local Development Plans

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Provide comprehensive long term solution for under served settlements Build up a close relationship between local authority and divisional secretariat to have and integrated urban development progrmme Improve the urban governors and management . Enhance local investment climate in medium and small towns ,that promote economic growth and generate job opportunities .

THANK YOU

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY