Abstract:
The knowledge inputs by the professionals in the field of urban design, is pleased by
the emerging awareness of making vibrant urban spaces which is somewhat beyond
the current practice of just providing basic infrastructure or establishing physical
assets which is more common in road infrastructure developments in Sri Lankan
context. Thus, the time is good for a change to move away from the current
approaches and practices to convert our roads to streets and look in to them as a vital
part of public realm.
For such an initiation, it would be very much useful to have a thorough understanding
about our streets and human activities occurring there. Therefore, this study has been
focused on examining possible relationships exist between the occurrence of street
activities and the physical quality ofstreets in Sri Lankan urban context.
Jan Gehl’s explanation of three categories of outdoor activities has been taken as the
underlining theoretical basis to conduct this study whereas the main street of
Ambalangoda has been selected as a case study. Accordingly, based on the magnitude
of accruing optional and social activities particularly, it has been attempted to
identify special features and attributes associated with built environment as responsive
to such activities.
The research findings have been analyzed using graphical analysis tools and
ultimately this study derives some key points which may support in street design
endeavours looking forward of creating more responsive physical environments
which better suit with Sri Lankan urban context.
This study reveals that, street activities are noticeably responsive to the quality of
physical environment. The detail analyses done on the built environment reveals
about some of key features in the physical environment where social activities are
particularly attracted to those spaces being vital parts of the urban public realm.
