Socio-economic and functional viability of multi-storey apartments to house the urban poor

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on multi-storey apartments in Sri Lanka and provides an appropriate background for the study of its viability to house the urban poor in the city of Colombo. An in-depth knowledge on this subject area is essential for the architects, as the multi-storey apartments have become one of the universally accepted built forms in the urban living environment. In the Sri Lankan context also it has become an efficient mean of fulfilling the requirements of housing in the urban sector. This dissertation intends to find out the viability of multi-storey apartments within the social, functional and economic parameters prevailing in the city of Colombo. The study starts with a review out the previous housing strategies, their advantages and disadvantages. Then looking at existing examples. by literature reviews and from participatory observation assesses the suitability of multi-storey living for urban poor. One of the major findings of the study is the absence of knowledge and proper education among urban poor category to introduce this type of a new concept. It was found that the people who value our cultural features-and the society as a whole- are not prepared to accept this type of buildings that had been successful in foreign countries. It was clearly understood that adherence to the essence of Sri Lankan architecture and understanding of urban social characteristics play a major role in popularising multi-storey apartments among the urban poor.