Abstract:
This study deals with spatial aspects of demographic changes and
residential development in medium and small towns in Sri Lanka,
a Case Study of the District of Kegalla and its three selected
urban settlements.
The first chapter is concerned with the pattern of growth of
urban settlements and trends of urbanization in the Sri Lankan
context. It highlights the case for residential development as
an important component of urban growth, and emphasises on locational
considerations, threshold population in terms of utility services
and appropriate criteria need to be used in residential development.
The second chapter more specifically examines some aspects of
housing development and the rate of population growth in major
categories of urban settlements with special reference to medium
and small towns. It attempts to show the significance of the problem
at macro level in respect of potentials and constraints for housing
development. .
The third chapter comprises the empirical component of the Study.
The district of Kegalla has been chosen as the unit of the Study.
It has a foir number of different sizes of medium and small towns.
The first three sections give the general description of the study
area in terms of general background, population and settlements and
demographic changes token place in the District. The fourth
section indicated some constraints and potentials in respect of
housing development.
The fourth chapter, discusses the provision of public services,
amenities, public utilities, etc. in the urban sector in the
District with a view to identify potential urban settlements
within a regional perspective. The first section attempts to
identify the hierarchy of urban settlements using the.method of
Scalogram. It also tries to identify institutional hierarchy
and prepare functional indices showing the different levels of
urban settlements in the hierarchy. The third section is devoted
to a discussion of the significant features of economic development
in these settlements and economic potential in the hinterland.
The fifth chapter of the Study highlights some locational aspects
of residential development in three locations. It justifies the
selection of three locations for further residential development
in terms of locational advantages, spatial development potentials
etc.
The sixth chapter is mainly concerned with the problem of identification
of potential groups and the rationale of selection of a residential
location from the points of view of such groups.
The seventh chapter attempts to formulate basic guide lines and
strategies towards residential development in medium and small towns
in the Sri Lankan context. It also indicates the necessity to
adopt a promotional urban policy in selected locations with
regional development objectives.
Chapter eight of the Study comprises of the conclusions and
recommendations.
