Mitigation and redevelopment as a sustainable development strategy for disaster prone human settlements : with special reference to landslide at Peradeniya town

Abstract

Settlements cannot be relocated due to two reasons; cost of infrastructure and the socioeconomic factors in that particular location. As such Peradeniya town center has been developed at a key road intersection. Peradeniya has been identified as landslide prone in 2004 through the Landslide Hazards Mapping Programme (LHMP). In 2009 NBRO initiated a project to mitigate the landslide at Peradeniya. With the implementation of the landslide mitigation activities successfully NBRO initiated another study to formulate town development plan for Peradeniya as a post landslide mitigation redevelopment strategy. The study conducted considering multidisciplinary aspects of land. Finally, town development plan was formulated under the vision of “Gateway to the Kandy city, University and Botanical Garden.” This is to preserve the main character of the town while enhancing aesthetic and economic value of the settlement. Likewise, there are settlements vulnerable for natural hazards but it’s possible to redevelop following proper geological and land use planning principles to preserve the character of that particular settlement to ensure the sustainable development without allowing valuable land resources to be abandoned.