Exploring the elements of urban metarmophosis that sustain the place integrity of historic urban centres : the case study of Slave Island, Colombo

Abstract

Cities around the world have experienced unprecedented changes in their economy, environment and society due to rapid globalization and urbanization. Contemporary colonial cities of South Asian countries are dynamic, rapidly growing and continuously changing. Thus, urban transformations and mutations are not a new phenomenon, but rather a continuous process. A historic city and its heritage enables people to better understand previous generations and the history of where they came from, and offer place integrity and unity in the city. The study scoped within the discussion of urban metamorphosis in relation to morphological elements in Slave Island. Slave island is a Colonial city with vast collection of old buildings, yet serves as a home to all aspects of social and cultural urban life. It is an example for “Utilitarian architecture” where it comprises different kind of structures, designed and built by architects and non- architects in public and private spaces. This bustle commercial hub which has a dominant character of urban transformation where it sustains the historic authenticity while responding to urbanization. In such cases population of communities endures place integrity in the heart of old city. The objective of this study is to examine the engagement of social activities in development which incited place integrity. Further it aims to study the factors which preserved within the historical setting in relation to the elements of urban metamorphosis. The urban mutations of the existing physical structures have interconnections with social, economic, cultural and other aspects. Continuous urban growth, diversified activities, and social perception will always mutate the cities. Certain parameters have taken to measure Place integrity and identified the sense of place to analysis the sustained historic authenticity of this situation. Further the research has identified socio-cultural relationship of transforming urban setting.