Abstract:
Many ofthe policies, plans and programs related to the environmental conservation, greening
the cities, balancing the carbon foot print and sustainable environment and economic
development by planning and management of urban green space.
The institutions directly or indirectly and individually or collectively responsible in planning
and management of urban green space are engaged in frequently change new concepts in
relation to:
- Sustainable environmental development(by the Ministry' of Environment and
Natural Resources by i;Sri Lanka Strategy for Sustainable Development (February'
2007)”, National Plan for Haritha Lanka Programme” (2009) and National
Physical Planning Policy & Plan, Project Proposals, Sri Lanka 2030, January 2011
(NPPP2011) )
- Establishing environmental friendly modern / beautiful green cities ('Mahinda
Chintana- A Brighter Future 2010’.
Maintaining bio-diversity and Balancing Carbon Foot Print.
Many of these concepts although adapted by various institutions responsible in planning and
management of urban green space its trickledown effect has not significantly impacted the
conservation and development of urban green space in urban areas.
The main reason for this became that many ofthese urban areas in the country consists of its
lands in combination of open space elements such as urban, natural and agricultural requires
to effective incorporation into the city life with its ample opportunities was available for
visual and functional realization. The assessment of the actions so far being made by the
authorities as well as Landscape professional indicated that their involvement in planning of
urban space is done in piecemeal and in isolation manner. However the new way ofthinking
on the planning of urban landscape is that it creates economic opportunities through
protecting and nourishing the local ecology and global public goods such as the environment,
for future generation. Vll
In the context of increasing the world population for the first time in history more than half
the world’s people live in cities and over 90 percent of urban growth is occurring in the
developing world, adding an estimated 70 million new residents to urban areas each year
(World bank) a new strategy is inaugurates for recognizing cities at the core of growth and
human development. It is committed to promoting sustainable cities and towns that fulfill the
promise of development for their inhabitants — in particular, by improving the lives of the
poor and promoting equity -- while contributing to the progress of the country as a whole
which is developed as Eco2 Cities - a Guide for Developing Ecologically Sustainable and
Economically Viable Cities.
Issues facing the provision of open space and how to enhance the landscape in areas where:
- uneven distribution of public open space and recreational facilities in terms of
population catchment
- Sub-standard provision of open space and recreational facilities when compared to
international best practice highly inadequate statutory requirement and protection
for public open space.
The Ecological Cities as Economic Cities Eco2 Cities book introduces some powerful and
practical methods and tools that can further enable sustainable and integrated city planning
and decision making.
The dissertation on “ Concept of Eco2 Cities and its relevance of: Planning and Managing
Urban Green Space in achieving Sustainable Environment” is addressing the present issues
connected with urban landscape for greening the cities as well as how to landscape designs
could be done to make an integrated effort to have environmental and economic development:
Develop an appropriate landscape design criteria in construction of buildings,
communities and infrastructure to utilize green building practices that promote
improved environmental performance including energy efficiency covering
vertical landscaping, greening the buildings, urban agricultural practices,
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maintaining micro climate, integration of green and blue areas etc hoping to
facilitate for establishing Eco2 Cities that create economic opportunities for their
citizens in an inclusive, sustainable, and resource-efficient way, while protecting
and nurturing the local ecology and global public goods, such as the environment,
for future generations.
Design principles for urban, natural and agricultural areas located in urban centres
by analyzing their ecological and bio-diversity - that will provide the visual and
functional realization.
Planning for greening the Open Space to provide a community facility for
recreation that ranges from children’s playgrounds through town parks for all ages,
to sport venues.
Encouraging vegetated private open spaces are quite extensive and contribute to
the Green Infrastructure necessary for a healthy environment, including provision
of visual amenity/relief where visible and not degraded by waste dumping, while
affording a natural drainage network and flood protection when measured against
international standards for provision of open space, landscaped areas ;uid
recreation facilities.