Master of Science in Landscape Design

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.248.9.226/handle/123/76

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Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

item: Thesis-Abstract
Biodiversity in landscape design
Ariyawansa, KTC
Sri Lanka is one of the Biodiversity Hot Spots in the world. It has a high species richness and a high endemism in flora and fauna. Of the total number of plant species present in Sri Lanka, about 75% are indigenous and about 25% are exotics. In this dissertation, the use of indigenous, endemic and exotic plant species in landscape designing is discussed. Chapter I is an introduction to the current status of biodiversity. The aims and objectives of the study also pointed out. Recorded figures of biodiversity are stated in Appendix I. Chapter II explains the climatic and geographical background of Sri Lanka which has been supported to become a hot spot of biodiversity. The traditional landscaping in villages is associated with houses and the weva. Traditional home gardens are created with most of the indigenous or endemic plant species to Sri Lanka. Ancient gardens such as Rnmasu Uyana and Mahamegha Uyana were landscaped with the indigenous plants of the same area. Features of those landscaping is discussed in Chapter III. During colonial period, with introduction of exotic plant species, they were widely used in landscape designing. Colombo Museum Garden is highlighted here. Chapter V includes a present study of some existing landscapes of different use. The Botanic Garden, Peradeniya, Vihara Maha Devi Park, Independence Square and Colombo Town Hall are discussed here. Use of indigenous plants in private gardens like Lunuganga and Dambulla Arboretum are emphasized. The availability of exotic plants in plant nurseries around Colombo are highlighted and listed in Appendix II. Chapter V reviews the use of indigenous and endemic plant species in above mentioned landscapes. A list of endemic and indigenous trees, shrubs and herbs used in landscape designing are given in Appendix III. Effect of endemic and indigenous plant species on butterflies is discussed in Appendix IV.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Landscape as a metaphor
Krishantha, DKN
“Dreaming is an act of imagination, attesting in al/ men a creative power, which, if it were available in waking, would make every man a Dante or, Shakespear" HF.Hedge The saying confirms that the dreaming is the way of be born of new talents ...philosophers , scientists designers, artists and architects, including landscape architects who can make the world something better place, new and creative. Dreaming is the language of mind. It nourishes mind with innovative wondering ideas. Personal creativity is greatly increased by utilizing the information gleaned from the subconscious mind in dreaming. The dream experience is perhaps the most creative form of consciousness that some people will ever experience. When recall these dreams upon waking can take symbols, images and adventures experience and discover what is going on at deeper levels of psyche. Interesting thing is each dream is inspired from the Nature and again it brings new outlook of nature's experience. This is incredible valuable information that will improve creative potentials immensely. By these dreams, the designer or artists or writer ....etc would be able to reinterpret the nature converting their dreams into metaphors that becomes a reality; may be through arts, crafts, science, ...or in other related creation. So why not in landscape !
item: Thesis-Abstract
Microclimate and perception : research and design for thermal comfort in Kandy urban cityscapes
(2011) Rajaguru RMMK; Balasuriya S
Therefore, the role of landscape architect is essential in creating, according to individual habitat a more favorable outdoor environment for people with regard to their immediate inner living space: adequate shade, cooler temperatures, light breezes, and protection from glare. Outdoor public spaces become the heart of the civic life of the city and of those activities, that bind a community. Among public spaces "transitional spaces" are most significant. The problems arising from this approach with respect to human bioclimatic needs and perceptions as well as urban microclimate will be elucidated and practical solutions proposed. As a general conclusion, a different approach to urban design that conceivesthe 'city as landscape' is suggested. Thermal comfort forms an important factor for the usability and attractiveness of outdoor places. The recent research on thermal comfort reveals that next to physical parameters psychological factors are equally important. New knowledge on the perception of microclimate in outdoor space that can serve as a basis for urban spatial design has been lacking. The study has tried to elucidate some of the essential factors influencing microclimate perceptions and how these perceptions relate to the typical microclimate of these spatial configurations.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Seating culture with Sri Lankan landscape
Rathnayake, RMVN; Balasuriya, S
Our seating culture acts as one of the factors that helps to establish the Sri Lankan identity. Cultural, religious, social, political and geographical features entwined with the life style of the people have made a lasting impression on the seating culture of Sri Lanka. This is not one that was introduced or extracted from the foreign lands, but one that was born and stabilized in this country it self. The first chapter discusses about the day to day life of the people and its relationship to the life style. Further it touches upon the way how power religion and respect at different social levels have molded our seating culture. The second chapter focuses on how, anthropometries and ergonomics have affected the seating culture of Sri Lanka and the physiologically aspect and the materials used for seats. The seating systems and postures are adapted in populated areas and the way these changed according to the rural and urban environmental situations, will be discussed in the third chapter. The fourth chapter discusses the positive and negative aspects observed in the case study areas and the response of people to variations in seating. The most suitable seating for a country like Sri Lanka with different urban situations and different life styles are discussed in the conclusion with the necessary actions and perspectives to make the seating culture of Sri Lanka one of our own again
item: Thesis-Full-text
The Landscape space as a contemplative media
Gunasena, KG; Gunathilake, R
Many Literature surveys show that contemplation as great impact on our psychological and physical well being. Although there are number of relaxation therapies for stress reduction, Meditation or contemplation can considered as the most advanced method. Al1 is often considered as a contemplative media. The purpose of art is not just full fill the sensory satisfaction, but persuades a person towards spiritual upliftment. Since the landscape is a living form of art it has great possibility of being of this media for contemplation. This dissertation attempts to exams the possibility of landscape space as a contemplative media for achieving relaxation.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Urban green spaces : with reference to the city of Colombo
Pilapitiya, PSP; Balasuriya, S
Historical evidences show that green spaces were a part of every city in human civilisation whether it is in Mesopotamia, Indus valley or in the later developments in Europe. Sri Lanka also had a very prominent affiliation with green spaces in its cities in the early periods. • When Colombo became the capital of Sri Lanka under foreign rulers the city adapted many characteristics of those countries. The first prominent plan for the development of the city was brought forward by Sir Patrick Geddes. Later on there have been a series of proposals, the newest one being the Public Outdoor Recreation Spaces (PORS)Plan for Colombo, which goes into details of a nesting concept having a hierarchy of parks. The prevailing legal framework is also not effective as it does not directly address the issues in protecting the existing green spaces. With the pressures of population increase, urbanisation and industrialization several undesirable outcomes such as fragmentation of land, environmental pollution, urban microclimatic effects etc have surfaced. There are a number of green spaces in the city of Colombo, some being maintained well and some being neglected to the point of being lost as a green space. Urban green spaces have a number of benefits viz. ecological, environmental and social. Colombo is progressing slowly towards protecting and enhancing its green spaces. There are some examples positive and negative throughout the world that we can consider as a base in developing our own green space network. We have to speed up our work towards achieving a desirable amount of green spaces in the cities since the forces that destruct and destroy them are more powerful and have more speed in making even the available spaces dwindle during a little time span. As Martin Luther (1483-1546)expressed, "For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold or silver."
item: Thesis-Abstract
Wayside trees in city of Colombo
(2015-08-10) Gunasinghe, WKD; Balasuriya, S
In the present study, a review was carried out on the wayside tree Colombo city. In addition, a structural interview was carried out with the relaxants authorities including government and non governmental institutions. First chapter of the dissertation introduce the brief history of the wayside trees in Sri Lanka emphasizing different historical periods ruled by native and foreign rulers. The review indicated that there was a trend of integration of wayside trees in to a number of developments scheme. The second chapter and evaluation of way side trees of Colombo City was also made and there was drastic change in the planting of wayside trees with the introduction of modern construction in the city. Most of the wayside trees in the Colombo city have been evidence that the colonial rulers have paid an attention to preserve the wayside trees. In addition, there were roadside tree plantation plan during the time of foreign ruling and after the independence. The chapter tree briefly dealt with the wayside tree landscaping special reference to management of wayside trees. The review indicates that there is no appreciable level of the management of wayside trees attempted by local government, authorities in Colombo city. This may be due to the lack of finance, labours force, expertise and inefficient communication between the relevant authorities. Chapter four in the dissertation focuses the issues related to the wayside trees in the Colombo city. There are number of contributive factors in these issues, namely population increase, illegal encroachment, urbanization, and industrialization let to minimize the biodiversity in the city area. The earth slip, water logging, root damaging and water stress can be let to death of road tress and increase the risk of natural disasters. The beneficial effect of the wayside tree plantation let to minimize the industrial and vehicular CO2 emissions and create the microclimatic effect in Colombo city.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Wetlands in Colombo : a threatened landscape : destruction of wetlands in Colombi city and its periphery by dominating cityscape over natural landscape
Dharmawardena, MSN
"... Oh! Great king the land belongs to people and all living beings thou art only the guardian of it the birds of the air, and the beasts have as equal right to live and move about in any part of the land as thou. The land belongs to people and all living beings. Thou art only the guardian of it......" -Mahawamsa – This was the Buddhist teaching and advice to the King or the trusteeship of the earth resources. This implies a great meaning in the sense of protection of environment, even today, its' importance is still being effective. The nature cares for all creatures, not only the human beings; all animals, birds, insects, reptiles, fish .... not only fauna, even for flora. Every creature is given its' own niche in nature without any discrimination. In return they never do any harm to destroy the nature. All these creatures, they live and obey the principles of Nature. They never emits effluents that are harm to the Nature. No any harm to its' context in order to change its' environment and characters, No any permanent structures, no excessive use of its' resources .... BUT all the harm is done to the nature ... by the human being who is considered as the brainy among all creatures that the Nature created. To fulfill personal needs and selfish lifestyle the creations of nature are being vanished by him There are a lot of incidents of such context. The one is the destruction of wetlands ..... The time for destruction is very short; their effects are irreversible, permanent bitter and harsh. Once we loss them we will miss them forever. The future generations of all beings may suffer the action of present generation of human beings...... !

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