Review of the urban acupuncture approach and its applicability to designing Sri Lankan cities

Abstract

This research focuses on the applicability of the urban acupuncture approach in Sri Lankan Cities. Urban Acupuncture approach is generative method targeted to achieve the “wholeness” ofthe city but through informal design product. Every city has several systems individually and collectively. Before going to a design or planning solution the systems should be studied carefully and find the nodes and meridians where we have to treat. Colombo city was selected as the case study and Panchikawatta node has been selected as the nodal point on the basis of the existing context within the city and included one of the regeneration sites by the Urban Development Authority. There are two levels of context of the site studied and proposals were made on those two levels. In the regional level, major objective ofthe project was to bring the Panchikawatta node in to the system then only we can give a solution to local level. Considering all the major physical elements of the city, a transportation loop has been proposed to connect the site with other areas in pedestrian, cyclists and vehicles modes. In next while having well connectivity with immediate region how the node should be treated? The derived steps from the precedent studies which are Outset, Vision, Tool (acupuncture) and Transformation applied in each steps of the preparation of the Urban Design brieffor Panchikawatta triangle. In the end a methodology and 7 recommended rules were developed for apply the Urban Acupuncture approach in Sri Lankan cities successfully.