An Examination of the impact of linear development on urban form in South-West coastal region

Abstract

The visually perceivable physical setting & activities of a place, principally structure the characteristics of the place. Less tangible than these components, yet serves to link & embrace them, their attribute of identity has variously been terms as 'spirit of place', All terms refer to character or identity of the place, a strong & distinctive spatial quality strange to that place, which differs from that of all other places. Streetscapes in urban contexts are such places where creation, preservation and maintenance of strong characteristics have become indeed a crucial need. Since the urban environments have become disordered & meaningless places which does not reflect the historical precedence nor the historical character due to many ad-hoc developments that have taken place, proper understanding of the notion of character in urban streets cape in cities is essential in order to determine a better future for the urban cities of the world. Therefore the urban centres or cities are forming a threat of becoming continuous corridors with the adjoining towns developing in the same manner. Linear expression along Galle Road is deteriorating gradually. While these roads are commercializing rapidly, these strips are characterized by noise, confusion and harsh climate: monotonous & endless, formless & eventless growth, lacking a particular hierarchy & coherence quite inhospitable to man on foot and in vehicles, spatial movement becoming monotonous ....