A Study on the transformation of recreational spaces into anti-social urban pockets in Sri lankan post war context : a case study in Jaffna city

Abstract

Recreational spaces are essential components of urban life, contributing to social interaction, mental well-being, and spatial inclusivity. However, in the post-war context of Sri Lanka, particularly in Jaffna City, several recreational areas have undergone a critical transformation, emerging as underutilized and, in some cases, anti-social urban pockets. This research investigates the underlying socio-spatial dynamics that have contributed to this transformation, using a case study approach focused on three key locations: The Fort surrounding area and Pannai Beach, Sangiliyan Poonga, and the Gurunagar recreational spaces. The study adopts a mixed-method research methodology, integrating qualitative and quantitative techniques, including spatial mapping, observational surveys, and semi- structured interviews with local stakeholders. The analysis is structured around four principal socio-spatial variables: location, connectivity, shape and size, and physical infrastructure. These are examined alongside the region’s unique post-war conditions—marked by rapid exposure to technology, sudden inflows of money and cultural influences, enduring trauma (both physical and psychological), disrupted family dynamics, and shifts in mobility and surveillance practices. Findings reveal a complex interplay between spatial neglect, insufficient infrastructure, and socio-cultural fragmentation that has led to the marginalization and informal re-appropriation of public recreational spaces. The study identifies how these spaces, once designed for communal benefit, have become zones of social exclusion, informal activities, and at times, unsafe environments. Furthermore, it demonstrates how post-conflict urban governance has struggled to respond effectively to these evolving challenges. This research contributes to the discourse on post-conflict urbanism and spatial justice by highlighting the urgent need for inclusive, context-sensitive planning strategies that address both the spatial and social dimensions of urban recovery. The insights derived from the Jaffna case study offer a framework for rethinking the rehabilitation and sustainable management of public spaces in other post-war urban settings.