URBAN CONSERVATION AS CONDUCIVE TO 
PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT 
A S T U D Y F O C U S E D O N T H E H I S T O R I C C I T Y O F K A N D Y 
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A Dissertation presented 
to the Department of Architecture 
University of Moratuwa 
for the final examination 
in MSc( Architecture) 
Zeena Marikkar 
Department of Architecture 
University of Moratuwa. 
1997. 
71574 
T 14 
Acknowledgement 
I take this opportunity to thank Prof. Nimal Silva, Dr. Ranjith Dayarathne, 
Dr. L.S.R. Perera , Archt. C. J. De Seram, Archt. V.S. Nammuni, 
Archt. D.P. Chandrasekara, Dr. S. Manawadu , Archt. Ranjith Alahakoon and 
Archt. Kapila Dharmasena for their guidance and support from the inception of this 
study. 
Urban Development Authority staff of Kandy and Colombo, staff of Cultural 
Triangle, Kandy are remembered here with gratitude. 
I am grateful to all my friends in the University for their gestures of good will and 
help. 
To my dear husband for encouraging me and his painstaking effort in making this 
dissertation a reality. To my sister, brother and parents for their enthusiasm and 
support. 
ii 
ABSTRACT 
One of man's greatest achievements is undoubtedly the City, which is not a recent 
phenomenon but dates back to time immemorial. As physical entity in space , each city 
possesses a distinct form which though ceaselessly changing and evolving, is the very proof 
of its existence. The Form of a city is not only an indicator to the state of civilisation but also 
living evidence of its construction over time. Gerald Dix (1990) appears to put this in to 
proper context when he says, 
Towns are a pur* of our history; they reflect our likes and dislikes, our fashions and 
technologies, OUr W E A L T H and poverty " ( CONSERVATION AND CHANGE IN IHE CITY. THIRD WORLD PLANNING REVIEW - NOVEMBER 
1990 ) 
Today, especially in the third world the once humane cities are changing at an unprecedented 
pace on the pretext of development. If not controlled this pace may ultimately leave us junk 
yards and debris, and the ' beautiful' image of the city only in long lost memory. 
Urban conservation sets the framework within which to manipulate and modify this image of 
the city. It must be understood as one means of re-civilising our cities, and not just a 
mechanism through which ' face lifts ' for specific historic structures can be accomplished. 
This understanding of the nature of urban conservation as a constructive process should play a 
major role in any urban development policy. This is particularly true to those areas where a 
considerable measure of history and tradition exists and are also susceptible for exploitation by 
modern development: demands. Although there is ample indication that such an understanding 
exists in the more developed world, there remains a measure of hesitancy in giving serious 
thought to urban conservation in poorer countries. Lack of resources is an underlying cause for 
many cases, but it is also total or partial failure to appreciate the positive contribution of 
urban conservation in the process of development. 
This study aims to analyse these issues in the context of Kandy, a world heritage city with past 
glory still intact, but needing immediate measures to withstand the negative implications of 
modern development. 
0 
Acknowledgement ii 
Abstract iii 
Introduction 
(A) The Study 1 
(B) Problem Area / Architectural Problem . 1 
(C ) Justification Of The Study / Practical Relevance 2 
(D) Aims, Objectives/Method Of Study. 3 
(E) Scope And Limitations 4 
Chapter 1 
Third World Cities, Development Issues And Implementations. 
1.1 Urbanisation As A Prelude To Development 5 
1.1.1 Historic Perspective 5 
1.1.2 Contemporary Situation 7 
1.2 Development Issues And Implications. 9 
1.2.1 Change Of Land use Pattern. 9 
1.2.2 Misdistribution Of Infrastructure 11 
1.2.3 Increased Transportation 12 
Chapter 2 
Urban Conservation - Concepts And Applications 
2.1 Views And Definitions 15 
2.2 Purpose Of Conservation 16 
2.3 What To Conserve, Idea Or Artefact. 17 
2.4 Conservation, The Process 19 
2.4.1 An Overview 19 
2.4.2 General Framework 20 
2.4.3 Instruments For Conservation Of Built Fabric 24 
2.5 Implementation And Economics 29 
2.6 Tourism, An Environmental Imperative 32 
iv 
Chapter 3 
Study Of Kandy As A Major Urban Node In The Country. 
3.1 Urban Development Trends In Sri Lanka 35 
3.2 Kandy Its Evolution Through Time 36 
3.2.1 Establishment Of The City, Historic Development. 36 
3.2.2 Development Since British Occupation 39 
3.3 Contemporary Role Of Kandy. 40 
3.3.1 As Administrative And Commercial Capital Of Hills 40 
3.3.2 As A World Heritage City 41 
3. 4 The Present City, As Physical Entity In Space 41 
3.5 Development Issue In Kandy 43 
3.5.1 Inadequacy Of Public Open Spaces. 43 
3.5.2 Insufficient Pedestrian Links. 47 
3.5.3 Increased Vehicular Transportation. 51 
3.5.4 Expansion Of Commercial Activities. 55 
3.5.5 Services 62 
3.6 Regional Development, A Supplementary Approach 63 
Concluding Remarks 66 
Bibliography 70 
Annexture.