Urban conservation approach to development planning of local area with special reference to Batticaloa Municipal Council Area

Abstract

An urban area is a place with a character which has developed with time. So every urbanity is a place of uniqueness which will have its own inherited properties, identity and a development potential. The conservation of such characteristics and attributes which assist to define its urban character is a specialized skill which should be acquired by development planners. Hence urban conservation in development planning of a local area has been a challenging but an important issue. Many contemporary researches are being carried out to explore conservation potentials within the parameters of prime aspects of urban development, which are economic, physical, social and environmental aspects. In Sri Lankan context, it is revealed that the urban development plans which are being prepared for the urban areas, are not concerning the potentials of urban conservation. According to the preamble of UDA law 41 of 1978, the preparation of development plans for urban areas should consider the social, physical and economic aspects. Further study on the document reveals that it has hardly any emphasis on urban conservation. Today historic towns are been threatened and physically degraded, damaged or even destroyed by the impact of unplanned urban development. This can be considered as a result of not realizing the urban conservation potentials. The historic core areas are being protected, but the immediate locality is developed with no consideration given to conservation. So the lack of consideration of urban character conservation is a serious problem in local town planning practice. Accordingly, the layering proved that Baticaloa streets show high association of water fronts. The relationship of built fabric and water body is shaping the cities character. The occurrences of historic buildings in streets are at 3% yet in such a street occurrence of multiple conservable buildings are at 86.%. The occurrence of city blocks with conservable buildings is 21%. In such a city block multiple occurrence of such streets are at 73%. Of above 67% of such streets and buildings restricted to Turtle Island. Hence the potential of conservation is high due to condensation of such urban areas. The Dutch fort which was also recognized by public as the best land mark of Baticaloa and 2nd best place to be conserved is situated in this area. But the objects such as Kalady bridge and light house are in isolation. There for individual objects also have to be recognized for conservation based local area development plan.