A Planning approach for identification of land for urban development

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to examine the possibilities to identify lands for urban development in order to mitigate the land scarcity problem in the Greater Colombo Economic Commission (GCEC) area . In this connection , this study is concerned with identification of possibilities in order to utilize low - lying lands for urban development in planned manner. This dissertation is in five parts , problem identification and need for the utilization of low - lying lands , data collection and analysis of definition and concepts , identification , of case study area with potentials for urban development, identification of potentials and constraints and conclusions and recommendations . The body of the dissertation is divided into five chapters. Chapter one deals with the significance of the utilization of low - lying lands for urban development . It focuses the importance of land in the process of urban development . The characteristics of low - lying lands and their functions are also discussed in terms of physical , ecological and economic spheres . It goes on further to deal with the importance of the utilization of low - lying lands for urban development activities . Chapter two deals with the needs for the utilization of lowlying lands for urban development in the GCEC area . It points out the nature and extent of demand for land for urban activities in the GCEC area. This chapter identifies the factors affecting demand for land . It goes on to deal with the nature and extent of supply of land for urban activities . In that land use profile and the magnitude of the land scarecity are examined. This chapter examine the problem pertaining to land supply in the GCEC area . It also discusses some strategy options in order to resolve the problem of land scarecity and need for the utilization of low - lying lands for urban development in the GCEC area. Chapter three deals with the analysis of the case study area of Muthurajawela Marsh. It discusses the development feasibility of the marsh in order to identify the potential for urban development . Technical feasibility is discussed in terms of aspects of physical , ecological ,hydrological infrastructur etc . , The financial viability of the development of Muthurajawel a Marsh is also concerned in this chapter. It goes on further to deal with the consideration of socioeconomic aspects of the development of Muthurajawela Marsh. Chapter four deals with the allocation of identified activities in the potential areas of Muthurajawela Marsh. It attempts to apply the potential surface analysis (PSA) inorder to identify the potential areas for residential and industrial activities . The application and process of the PSA is discussed in detail in this chapter.The final chapter (Chapter five) spells out the conclusions and the recommendations of this study which area rising from the analysis . This chapter concludes the possibility of utilization of low - lying lands for urban development and makes there commendations which need to develop low - lying lands for urban development in a planned manner.