Gendered public life in Pettah: colonial spatial legacies and contemporary participation in Colombo

Abstract

Pettah, one of Colombo's oldest commercial neighbourhoods, developed under Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial rule. Its street layout, building typologies, and spatial organisation historically prioritised male-dominated trade and administrative functions, embedding gendered hierarchies into the urban form. While previous research has examined colonial urbanism and gender in Colombo, few studies have connected these spatial structures with the lived experiences of contemporary users. This study investigates how Pettah’s colonial commercial morphology shapes current perceptions, mobility, and participation in public space. Using archival research, on-site measurements, photographic surveys, systematic street observations, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and oral histories, the study examines both physical and social parameters. Physical aspects include street layout, circulation patterns, shop houses, courtyard houses, upper floors, courtyards, mashrabiyas, visual permeability, and privacy thresholds. Social aspects include perceived safety, accessibility, mobility, visibility, and participation in commercial and social life. Findings indicate that Pettah’s colonial-era urban form—wide streets, narrow alleys, and segregated upper floors—historically enforced male dominance in commerce. Today, women continue to participate in the area but face safety and accessibility challenges, while the built environment still subtly shapes social interactions. The study highlights the persistence of gendered spatial patterns and recommends gender-sensitive design interventions, adaptive reuse of courtyards and upper floors, and participatory urban planning. Future research should explore other South Asian colonial districts and track shifts in gendered urban participation over time.