Country Overview_Sri Lanka

South Asia Region Urbanization Knowledge PlatformUrban Regeneration and Inclusive Growth for South Asian Cities

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

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

Outline Overview of My Country, Sri LankaBackgroundIssues on UrbanizationChallengesWay forward

OverviewFull Name: Democratic socialist Republic of Sri

LankaArea: 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: 09Capital city (commercial ) & largest city :

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

Introduction-Sri LankaLying off the Southern tip of IndiaIt is one of the smaller countries in south AsiaThe population is multi ethnic and multi

religious in compositionIt 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 UrbanizationCompare 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

Year Urban Population %

1891 10.61901 11.61911 13.11921 14.21946 15.41953 15.31965 19.11971 22.41981 21.52001 - Source: Dept. of Census & Statistics

Urban Population in Sri Lanka (1891-1981)

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

*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

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

CHALLENGESEnvironmental Pollution and Degradation1. Air 2. Noise3. Water4. Land

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Encroachment of Environmentally sensitive areas which are not suitable for human habitation.

1. Road/Railway reservations2. Canal reservations & Beaches3. Wetlands/ Marshes4. Archeological sites5. Religious/ Cultural sites 6. Detention/Retention areas7. Sand dunes

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Population Explosion1. 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 .

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

THANK YOU