An investigation of green space within high-rise condominium sites in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Green spaces in cities have a positive impact on the health of the urban population as well as decrease urban heat Island effects. Therefore, green and open space should not be considered a luxury but an integral part of urban planning.For the purpose of this study a space is considered as a “green space” if the land cover has vegetation. The study investigates the impact of high-density housing developments in the Colombo city and its suburbs on green space. 90% of small Condominium developments (number of units ranging from 15 to 65) and 50% of large condominium developments (over 65 units) had less than 1% of green space on site. The reason for lack of green space was found to be high plot coverage, high FAR, small site extent and no landscape, communal space and green buffer requirement in the current planning and building regulations for condominium developments.