Place attachment and homelessness

Abstract

This is an endeavor to surface the outstanding phenomenon of, What is generally recognized as the most tragic era in the contemporary history of Sri Lanka. What was once regarded as simple "ethnic conflict" has now revealed many other more significant facets including displacement and homelessness. About six million Sri Lankans reduced to status as displaced with in their own country seek refuge where relative or kinsfolk live and majority residing in the what is known as " Transitional homes" such as welfare centers, relocated villages, resettled villages etc now spending most critical period of their life. Strategies change overtime. Various family members may return to their relatives in flight, depending on level of danger and opportunities for subsistence. The ultimate dilemma lies on attachment to various places and subjects by means of displaced families with strict earth bounded qualities like any other Asian society must cope with the trauma of separation from their native land and from friends and relatives. Initial hypothesis of place attachment as incisive criterion to analyze and work out design parameters and guidelines for when re sheltering displaced community. A need of a unique tool to stimulate and acquire place attachment qualities as form of environmental memories, environmental autobiography depicts great success.