Transformation of the landscape of Nuwara-Eliya

Abstract

Chapter one introduces the natural landscape of Nuwara-Eliya and explains the location of the city, with it's climatic and topographical background and it's landscape elements. Chapter two describes the historical background of the city. It includes the pre-British period, that is during the king's time, its original landscape which was as virgin forest patches, and it describes the British period, which explains the starting of its transformation, to meet their needs. Chapter three concerns the present city of Nuwara-Eliya. It describes the post-independence period and transformation of the city during this period. Further more the haphazardly added buildings and renovations which started to break down the English city character of Nuwara-Eliya due to the irrelevance of British ideas. The town evolved as a holiday resort for it's scenic beauty and as a commercial center due to a great increase in the area given to agricultural crops. The economy of the city dwellers much depended on the agricultural crops supplying rather than facilities during the holiday season. The problems and impacts associated with the development of the city including socio-economic and political problems, visual pollution are also looked in to. Finally the thesis considers how to restore the city by understanding what is relevant to the city now. Guidelines to enhance it's beauty, and proposals to restore the city sustainability, are considered.