Browsing by Author "De Silva, MCK"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

item: Conference-Abstract
Defining ‘urban’ among urbanizing rural : the case of Sri Lankan urbanization
De Silva, MCK; Dharshani, GC; Minasinghe, JN
The level of urbanization of a country or a region is generally measured in terms of the share of its urban population. Since there is no universal definition for ‗urban‘, countries follow different approaches such as demographic, density, administrative, economic, morphological and functional, to define ‗urban‘ in their contexts and Sri Lanka uses a pure administrative approach. Surprising trend of urbanization was observed in Sri Lanka with a drop from 21.5% in 1981 to 14.6% in 2001 and 18.2% in 2012. This was questionable as ripple effects of urbanization can be experienced all over the country. Disputes and confusions over the definitions of ‗urban‘ are observed at International contexts. This research investigates this issue through a comprehensive review of existing definitions of ‗urban‘ and respective scholarly works. Initial review of literature had found that definitions of ‗urban‘ vary greatly between countries but usually they comprise of several criteria. This paper describes these findings on conventional approach and proposes an alternative framework to redefine ‗urban‘ in Sri Lanka, by two principle approaches ‗urbanism as a way of life‘ and the concept of ‗urban society‘ resulted from a complete urbanization through a human centered approach. The results indicated the geographical representation of level of urbanization in Sri Lanka and it was quantified as 34%.
item: Conference-Abstract
Modeling Colombo's land uses with Metronamica : a demonstrative approach
Wimaladasa, GJ; De Silva, MCK; Jayasinghe, AB; Munasinghe, JN
The enormous complexity built into cities makes them difficult to understand for any purpose. The ever changing land uses in any city is not an exemption, despite its importance for planners to know at some level of certainty. In order to overcome this difficulty Cellular Automata (CA) models are widely used in the field of urban planning as means of simulating land use changes with adequate bearing on the complexities associated with urban systems. This paper is a demonstrative attempt to model the land use changes in Colombo Metropolitan area in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 2010, within a modeling framework developed with CA based simulation application: Metronamica. Simulation results are assessed and validated using visual comparison and statistical methods. This study is placed in a context where the current planning practices in Sri Lanka are in need of robust methods and versatile techniques to comprehend land uses in rapidly growing urban areas.
item: Article-Full-text
Modeling Colombo's land uses with Metronamica: a demonstrative approach
(Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2014-12) Wimaladasa, GJ; De Silva, MCK; Jayasinghe, AB; Munasinghe, JN
The enormous complexity built into cities makes them difficult to understand for any purpose. The ever changing land uses in any city is not an exemption, despite its importance for planners to know at some level of certainty. In order to overcome this difficulty Cellular Automata (CA) models are widely used in the field of urban planning as means of simulating land use changes with adequate bearing on the complexities associated with urban systems. This paper is a demonstrative attempt to model the land use changes in Colombo Metropolitan area in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 2010, within a modeling framework developed with CA based simulation application: Metronamica. Simulation results are assessed and validated using visual comparison and statistical methods. This study is placed in a context where the current planning practices in Sri Lanka are in need of robust methods and versatile techniques to comprehend land uses in rapidly growing urban areas.
item: Conference-Full-text
Revisiting the notion of 'public spaces': professional and community perspectives
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Perera, WSD; Kulatunga, U; De Silva, MCK; Dias, N; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
Public spaces serve as vital components of urban landscapes, facilitating social interaction, community cohesion, and individual well-being. However, differences exist between the perspectives of urban planning professionals and the broader community regarding the conceptualisation, design, and management of these spaces, with professionals focusing on sustainability and urban planning principles, while community members prioritise immediate concerns such as safety and accessibility. This paper conducts a comprehensive narrative literature review to delve into this divide and propose strategies for bridging it. The literature highlights the multifaceted nature of public spaces, emphasising their role as venues for social engagement, cultural expression, and community identity formation. This approach synthesises various themes and perspectives, capturing the nuanced evolution of public spaces in response to contemporary challenges. One key theme from the literature is the divergent priorities between urban planning professionals and the general community. While professionals prioritise inclusivity, sustainability, and community impact, the public focuses on immediate issues such as safety, accessibility, and environmental quality. This disconnect underscores the need for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to public space design and management. To bridge this gap, the paper suggests adopting context-sensitive approaches that integrate localised narratives, identities, and placemaking practices. By prioritising equity-focused and accessible design strategies, public spaces can become truly inclusive environments that foster a sense of belonging for all. As societies evolve in response to technological advancements, cultural shifts, and changing demographics, the notion of public space must adapt, requiring ongoing re-evaluation to promote social cohesion, community empowerment, and well-being.