ICCPP - 2023

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.248.9.226/handle/123/21707

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9th International Urban Design Conference on Cities, People and Places ICCPP- 2023 (Pre Text)
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
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An appraisal of co-benefits of green building; challenges in creating crisisadaptive built environment
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Mudannayaka, MADD; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
As the world moves achieving sustainable built environment, the concept of green building has emerged as one of the most important trends in the construction sector around the world. Buildings that are sustainable, use less energy and less water, save money while preserving natural resources. As a result of growing interest in the topic on a global scale, the development of sustainable buildings has recently appeared as an emerging trend in Sri Lanka. According to the findings of several studies, the initial expenditure required for the construction of sustainable buildings is considerably more than that of conventional buildings. Adopting a green concept for the construction of buildings, in a state of crisis like Sri Lanka needs to understand the advantages and difficulties that may arise in the process. In the face of the current crisis in Sri Lanka. This study is conducted to examine the co-benefits that can be obtained from the concept of green buildings and the methods used in creating such buildings that are adaptive to prevailing crisis. A questionnaire survey is deployed to accumulate primary data, and the statistical approach of the relative importance index was utilized in the analysis of data. According to the findings, green buildings offer numerous environmental co-benefits, economic co-benefits, and social co-benefits, creating energy efficient, and crisis-adaptive built environment. Further the study reveals the relative significance level of each building element within the context of sustainable built- environment, and barriers in the construction industry in its achievement.
item: Conference-Full-text
edge effect analysis of peri-urban natural ecosystem deterioration; Bahirawakanda terrain, Kandy, Sri Lanka
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Sirimewan, Y; Dharmasena, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
Ecosystems are constantly threatened by the poorly regulated development impact in the developing world. Rapid urban development and inadequate management of the ecosystems are the main reasons for this. This is mainly due to the rapid urban developments and inadequate concern of managing natural ecosystems. Using the remote sensing field this research intends to investigate the ecological deterioration of natural terrain due to the rapid urbanization process. The field of remote sensing is not widely used in analysing urban issues in Sri Lanka. This study focuses on understanding and calculating the ecological impact with reference to Kandy Bahirawakanda natural peri-urban terrain ecosystem based on remote sensing field. There are four ecological impact indexes that can be used to measure the impact using remote sensing technology. This paper uses the edge effect index as the measuring device to measure the increase of isolation of ecological patches. This approach provides a clear insight in to how a single ecological patch fragments into the separate patches and the increase of gaps between those patches. This provides a very good physical and visual indication of one important aspect of the destruction of natural ecosystems.
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The effectiveness of landscape elements in creating roadside urban landmarks: insights from the Galle road from Colombo to Panadura
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Wickramasinghe, PP; Dharmasena, JH; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
Landmarks are any natural or man-made structures that are recognized by the public of a particular place that makes the place memorable for them. These are important in many ways especially in an urban context; hence landmarks should be given high priority in the planning of a city. Human memory keeps adapting to new places and regularly generates mental images to make decisions on spatial aspects. Landmarks contribute to creating such a mental representation of a particular place. Urban environment consists of both hard & soft landscape elements. It is important to realize how some of these landscape elements become landmarks. In this study, four fundamental rules (Similarity, Proximity, Simplicity, Continuity) of Gestalt theory of visual perception have been used to clarify the easiness of recognizing landscape elements; an object or feature as a landmark in commuter’s mind. A combined methodology of locational / photographic analysis and a route-based traveler analysis was used to assess how people recognize the locations with reference to the landmarks by considering hard and soft landscape elements. The results revealed the distinct visual characteristics of hard landscape elements and the distinct spatial character generated by soft landscape elements are important in creating memorable landmarks. Therefore, the sensitive use of landscape elements according to the above two factors can go a long way in creating a striking landmark. Spatial aspects of soft landscape landmarks can lead to more pleasant urban spaces. This study will help future approaches in planning and designing urban landmarks and streetscapes effectively.
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Effects of urban renewal and gentrification on social reconstruction
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Perera, MMM; Navaratne, NMP; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
Gentrification is a consequential effect of urban renewal which usually functions towards making a city an economic powerhouse in the process of urban development. Gentrification contains promises of “urban revitalization”; however, this process includes a lot of urban reshuffling, slum clearance, slum relocation, and similar processes which do not benefit low-income citizens. This study examined the current urban development of Sri Lanka, in terms of the architectural strategies used which aid in incomplete gentrification, resulting in social segregation of income classes, religions, and ethnicities. This paper analyses the pros and cons of gentrification from the viewpoint of social reconstruction and social polarization in accordance with different income groups. It discusses the co-dependent relationship between society and architecture, and investigates alternative strategies for gentrification which take the social structure into consideration, through the analysis of the current urbanization of Slave Island. For this purpose, the urban process of Slave Island has been followed by formal and informal interviews with the citizens, non-participant observations, as well as extracting from prior studies from 2006 to 2021, paying special attention to the recent when major development plans were implemented, and started undergoing drastic changes. The results indicated that the urban development strategies implemented are currently causing social segregation in the area. This paper examines the architectural aspects accountable for this type of gentrification, as well as its driving forces for low-income people out of Slave Island, leaving them with no homes or jobs. The urban development proposal and its expected outcomes were weighed against the practical results of urbanization to examine how social segregation happens from an architectural standpoint. Further, it proposed potential development strategies that can be applied for all social groups to benefit mutually from urban development.
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Ephemeral built interventions for shaping the robustness of urban spaces: case of Thotalanga market street in Colombo
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Jayasinghe, N; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
Most certainly, architectural objects are the basis of the physical assembly of a city and they result in urban spaces with incomparable values and features. The Built environment of South Asian contemporary cities including the Capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo, encompasses both permanency and impermanency which can be observed with an irregular spread. Ephemeral Architecture queries the idea of permanence in the way we produce architecture. As a feature, more impermanent, ephemeral built interventions assembled by people are concerted in residual city edges, commercial streets, along water bodies, and in-between solid blocks as more informal built settings. Facing numerous uncertainties due to natural disasters, lack of development attempts by the government, and clear negligence, still these urban spaces operate as more vigorous nodes within cities. Ephemeral built interventions generated by people act as the main facilitator of these spaces and street markets in Colombo are significant in this scheme. Considering the connection in-between the operational strength of urban spaces and its built interventions, the key aim of this study is to determine the role of ephemeral built interventions in operating market streets enhancing with the robustness in cities. Multifunctionality, loose fit and social interaction are considered determinants that ensure the robustness in market streets. The study is reinforced with systematic observations, photographic studies, and maps. Questionnaire survey conducted within the case study context support the study of user’ perception on robustness, examining the case of Thotalanga Market Street in Colombo. Being an exploration of the operating status of ephemeral built interventions in contemporary urban spaces, this research would be an initial step to facilitate “ephemeral urbanism” as an urban design strategy to deliver robust cites for the future.
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Evaluating community participation effectiveness in landscape architectural design and planning: with special reference to passaiyoor and rasavinthottam parks, Jaffna
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Mallikarachchi, CD; Ekanayake, M; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
The majority of Sri Lankan context projects were planned and developed less prioritizing the community's actual needs. As a result of this top-down approach, when it comes to execution, there are certain disagreements between the government and the community. Many contemporary planning theorists acknowledge that public participation in the planning process can produce or create credibility, trust, and commitment. Even though a fairly modest number of landscape architectural projects have been carried out in Sri Lanka incorporating community participation, the effective integration of such data into public landscape design and development is yet to be explored. Therefore, this paper investigates the effectiveness of community participation in the design and planning process of Passaiyoor Park and Rasavinthottam Park in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The methods of data collection include interviews, questionnaires, documents, and project reports. The effectiveness of public participation was evaluated by a toolkit of indicators derived from the literature. (indicators such as Administration, Information, Objectives, Stage, Targeting, Technique, Legitimacy, Common values, Fairness and equality, Equal power, and responsible leadership). The research outcomes were able to portray that the overall satisfaction level of the community participation process is 75% in Rasavinthottam Park and 77% in Passaiyoor Park, while the overall satisfaction level about the project outcome is 45% in Rasavinthottam Park and 22% in Passaiyoor Park. In fact, evidence that the execution of the community’s vision in the real ground seems to be lacking. Therefore, without putting pre-initiated projects (by the government) into action, identify the problems that are most relevant to the public and pay attention to engage the community early and throughout the process, not only for one stage, and make sure the process is transparent to all the community and the outcome of the project is their real need.
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From “introverted” to “extroverted”: the transformative potential in the adaptive reuse of historical buildings in Colombo
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Kalaieesan, P; Thilakawardena, S; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
Buildings, similar to living organisms undergo transformation throughout their lifespan. Once a building reaches the stage of obsolescence, it is either demolished or repurposed. Adaptive reuse is a sustainable architectural approach that has been globally implemented to repurpose buildings. In Sri Lanka, this method has been implemented to repurpose historic buildings for public use. However, the majority of these buildings were originally introverted in nature, which does not align with the extroverted spatial quality required for public buildings. The study aims to identify and assess the physical characteristics that can facilitate the transformation of historic buildings from introverted to extroverted spaces. Further, it aims to identify adaptive reuse criteria that may limit the possibility of achieving a higher degree of extroversion. The architectural visual analysis method was adapted to explore the degree of extroversion achieved in the selected case studies. Physical characteristics were analysed by comparing drawings and photographs, followed by interviews with professionals involved in the adaptation process. The interviews aimed to identify the specific factors that affect the potential for transformation in accordance with the adaptive reuse criteria. The findings of the study suggest that the main decisive factor affecting the degree of extroversion was legislation in Sri Lanka. It also identifies the vertical plane and openings on vertical planes as critical physical attributes that determine the degree of extroversion. Furthermore, the study shows that authenticity and integrity can restrict the degree of extroversion in historic buildings. Furthermore, this study suggests the importance of determining the new function based on the transformation potential of the historical building. In light of the above findings, this study can serve as a guide for assessing adaptations of historic buildings and their potential for transformation into future public spaces.
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Gender performativity in urban public spaces- case of fort railway station, Colombo
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) De Silva, S; De Silva, L; De Silva, W; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
This paper explores the way spaces are gendered, by qualitatively analyzing public spaces under a feminist perspective. It looks at spatial attributes and everyday actions to understand the subjectivity and reality of spaces. The term “gendered spaces” is used when power dynamics of gender are reflected in a space. This could be perceived as a result of defining gender roles associated with public-private spatial divisions. The railways were pioneering urban interventions that contributed to blurring these strict boundaries of space. Women, the seemingly disadvantaged group, found empowerment through the increased accessibility, but were yet subjected to discrimination and inequal opportunity. This phenomenon is reflected in the historical evolution of Colombo Fort railway station. Under this background, physical and social attributes of spaces within and around Colombo Fort railway station are assessed under Gender Performativity theory, through activity mapping, interviews, surveys and videographic observations. Furthermore, spaces were understood through tactical responses; everyday practices of regular users, which were categorized as “activity” and “signs”. The findings of the case study showed that women navigated through the public space with comparatively less freedom and higher caution even in the absence of physical obstructions. A higher percentage of men identified their occupancy at the station as partially recreational, while women’s occupancy was determined by the need for safety, privacy or functional needs. The performative nature of gender becomes evident in the study; the conditional access granted for women as well as their own actions signified their subordinate position, while men expressed authority in space when the social order was challenged. However, instead of merely being victimized; women seeked empowerment within the patriarchal structure itself, rather than directly challenging or disrupting the system. These gendered responses to spatial attributes contribute continuously through time in reshaping and restructuring of social structures and gender norms.
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The impact of streetscapes, on vehicle users: insights from Gannoruwa – Peradeniya roads in Sri Lanka
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Miyunadi, J; Shaleeni, C; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
A good road system that is pedestrian friendly and free of chaos is always a sign of a well-designed town or city. The surrounding environment of the road networks which are the structural features, referred to as the streetscape, plays a major role in defining the identity of roads, streets, and places which is important for attracting visitors and making the city user-friendly. The visual quality of this streetscape, in particular, can have a major impact on a vehicle user’s attitude by giving them varied feelings towards the roadway, which can lead to more relaxing or stressful states. This study aims to determine the effects of the natural environment and built environments on the visual quality of streets and their impact on vehicle users. The complexity level, imageability, and sense of the environment are observed in two selected roads in Kandy both of which have different visual qualities with streetscape elements. The “locomotion method” and an online questionnaire are used to collect data on the street elements and vehicle users’ opinions and behaviours. The findings reveal that over 80% of vehicle users choose reduced complexity and higher imageability levels of a streetscape above the sense of the region, which gives the streetscape its uniqueness. Streets with a low level of complexity help to reduce stress among drivers and passengers during heavy traffic hours. The study further shows that an open landscape, a clear sky view, and fewer tree obstructions are the positive environment variables that contribute to visual quality and a better streetscape.
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Impact of the automobile on public street performance with special reference to the main thoroughfare of Matara township
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Kinipul, L; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Vehicle domination in streets has deteriorated the public realm depriving people their once democratic, safe public space with a prolific diversity of functions and applications. Spatial limitations, environmental pollution and safety hazards are on a rise mainly in developing countries that are blindfolded with economic development as the priority but not the human wellbeing. Even in Sri Lanka, more commercialized townships such as Matara are undergoing the complexities of excess vehicular eco-system. Relevantly, this research attempts to assess the severity of traffic and traffic prioritized street design towards the pedestrian/ public performance on streets under physical/ sensory, environmental and safety related parameters. By defining an applicable analytical criterion in the literature review based on prominent scholarly findings on the subject, the research investigates effects and magnitudes of traffic and related street design errors against the public performance on the main thoroughfare of Matara township under three different functional facets. The analysis is primarily fed with researcher’s observational information which are complimented and validated by third person (users) input with help of viable analytical tools/ techniques. Findings of the research ascertain the crucial flaws of city’s existing street design that are rather biased towards mere vehicular activity instead of the public. Ability of comparative analysis helps to define variation of magnitude and nature of the impact on each criterion assessed, related to the three case study scenarios. The study probes a familiar, yet underrated spatial planning dilemma into sophisticated depths and intends to support associated studies in the future
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The influence of building-street interface on fostering public activities
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Koralage, C; Perera, R; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
With the rapid urbanization process in cities today, the interrelationship between the built environment and city life has come into a disequilibrium. It is convinced that the influence of building street interfaces fosters public activities on streets. This research is based on two case studies selected according to the land use pattern in the central zone of Colombo city. Data collection methods include documentation of physical and qualitative characteristics of building street interfaces, observations, and activity mapping on building street interfaces. The study investigates the physical and qualitative characteristics of the building interface which imposes a significant effect on achieving the optimal conditions for staying and moving activities. It further evaluates four types of neutralized activity pattern zones; Dominant staying, Dominant moving, conflictedly active, and rarely active zones. The subjective physical and qualitative characteristics were examined in terms of Physical comfort, Enclosure, Human scale, Complexity, Territoriality, Permeability, and the activity-based characteristics were identified concerning Spatial tranquilness, Intensiveness of activity, specification of participants, affected for certain activity behaviors on different building street interfaces. Conclusively, the study elaborates that the neutralization patterns of public activity patterns in different building street interfaces depends on the secondary activity patterns and the influence of different physical qualitative characteristics of space. Moreover, the study outlines necessary recommendations for delineating the building street interface as a public space in an urban setting.
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Influence of urban lakescapes in mitigation of mental fatigue of city dwellers: with special reference to south west Beira, Diyawanna, and Kandy lake
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Rathnayake, RPRD; Dharmasena, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
The "urban lakescape" can be interpreted as a place where there is water and natural features in an urban setting. Mental fatigue mainly caused by urban-related causes is a major concern for the well-being of city dwellers. This study hypothesizes that the lakescapes can play a role in minimizing the mental fatigue of city dwellers by providing a restorative environment. Therefore, this study focuses on identifying a set of urban lakescape attributes in urban waterbodies in two main cities in Sri Lanka (Colombo and Kandy) that can contribute to lowering mental fatigue. City dwellers’ behavioral qualities and the above-mentioned attributes were used to formulate a theoretical framework to assess the impact of these elements on reducing mental fatigue. A pilot study was carried out to identify the case study areas and three case studies (Colombo suburbs, Colombo inner city, Kandy inner city) were selected. The field study consisted of photographs, map analysis, and site observations to identify the influential factors on mental fatigue that were presented in the lakescape. A questionnaire was used to identify their level of mental fatigue and how it was affected by the lake scapes. The results indicate that existing characteristics of lakescapes generally mitigate the mental fatigue of city dwellers. However, some characteristics (water quality, visual naturalness of water) need to be improved and some characteristics (sceneries of densified built forms) need to be minimized. On this basis, it is recommended that a design strategy be used to develop lakescapes by largely maintaining the existing characteristics but improving the necessary characteristics as mentioned above to strengthen the positive mood states and minimize the mental fatigue of the city dwellers
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Outdoor open spaces as a catalyst for a sense of community: referring to urban middle-income mass housing in Colombo, Sri Lanka
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Bandara, M; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
Researchers have discovered the "Sense Of Community" (SOC) possesses certain curative qualities that can be applied to alleviate a variety of contemporary societal issues. Simultaneously during recent years, residential real estate developers around the world have seized upon the mystical qualities of "community" with a passion that has baffled them. Given the intangible nature of communities, it is questionable whether the urban mass housing projects are capable of successfully utilizing Outdoor Open Spaces (OOS) as a catalyst for SOC. However, the role of socio-spatial characteristics of OOS in such projects, especially in the middleincome category, has not been emphasized in the current literature on SOC. Against this backdrop, this study explores and evaluates the connection between SOC and the physical features of OOS in Urban Middle-income Mass Housing (UMMH). This study delves into the subject via three case studies set in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka; through a mixed research methodology. The evaluation is based on a four-factor theoretical framework on socio-spatial dimensions of SOC adapted from the work of Kim & Kaplan (2004). Each case study was further examined through four interactive categories of OOS. The utilisation of OOS was analysed by referring to place theory, place attachment, place identity and sense of place. The outcomes depict how people's shared idealisation of the term "community" gives the concept of "sense of community" a concrete form by utilising the available OOS by creating meaningful functions and identities. These outcomes enable professionals to make community-centric decisions and designs that benefit the communities they serve.
item: Conference-Full-text
Passive climate modifications in dutch buildings: a study on public buildings by church street, Galle fort
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Pathirana, V; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
Galle Fort is considered to be the largest preserved historical living settlement in Southeast Asia. The city has been influenced by multiple colonial powers, of whom the Dutch; masters of colonies were the longest rulers. Dutch architects created building designs adaptive to the coastal tropical climate in planning towards a sustainable city. The long enduringness with user fittingness to date witnesses it. This has attempted energy-efficient, cost-effective, and conveniently maintainable buildings while fulfilling the social needs of the time. Therefore, it is important to focus on sustainable design strategies which the Dutch have used in the absence of electrical energy for light and ventilation. These strategies can be effectively applied in building design to maintain and improve the quality of urban life and mitigate the effects of the energy crisis. The current guidelines for sustainable residences in Sri Lanka have introduced four key passive strategies, building orientation, building materials, light, and ventilation. This study aims to investigate the strategies used by the Dutch and their compatibility with these guidelines. Numerous significant buildings were established by the Dutch along church street. Therefore, this street which comprises a wide variety of Dutch public buildings is selected for the study. Physical and non–physical elements are studied and compared with the four key passive strategies. According to the findings, building orientation was not specifically considered by the Dutch. However, lighting strategies, heat-controlling strategies, and ventilation systems were at a moderate level. Materials are compatible with the guidelines. In conclusion, the passive climate modifications used by the Dutch with some improvements are valuable in developing energyefficient and effortlessly maintainable buildings to create sustainable cities.
item: Conference-Full-text
The positioning of recreational spaces into the corporate office: Colombo, Sri Lanka
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Kirihena, T; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
The workplace is where office workers spend most of their lives and in a typical workday eight hours are spent in the work environment. Therefore, the workplace must be a comfortable environment in which employees can perform to their greatest capability. To ease the mental stress of employees, offices invest in recreational spaces that boost teamwork and morale. But there is a lack of studies with guidance regarding what recreational spaces are preferred by employees or how these spaces can be integrated into the workspace. Without this knowledge, offices may invest in spaces that will hardly be used by the employees and create an overall loss. Hence, this study was conducted to find what recreational spaces are essential in the workspace and where they should be placed in terms of a typical corporate office layout. A questionnaire was used to collect data from offices in the Western Province of Sri Lanka to test out the following hypotheses. (1) Employees prefer to work collectively and prefer common spaces. (2)The most preferred recreational activity is ‘walking in the park’. (3)Those with recreational spaces in their offices would have better physical and mental health. The data was analyzed and the preponderance of the available data indicates that the above hypotheses cannot be rejected. Among these an unexpected preference towards personal workspaces was discovered, which stemmed from the amount of individual control a person has over their space. Depending on the analysis was possible to conceptualize a recreational workplace design model which opens thoughts with new concepts of living and working in cities, suggesting new directions to urban recreation for working citizens.
item: Conference-Full-text
Revanchist (sub) urbanism as an ultimatum for social cohesion an analysis with special reference to spatial restructuring in the urban neighbourhood of Dahampura, Kolonnawa
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Vijesandiran, V; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
This research is based on the concept of urban social sustainability combining the fields of urban planning and architecture with the disciplines of sociology. Cities and urban peripheries have become sites of structural transformation. The ally of the government, and ascending new wealthy and middle classes, and their desire to create an ‘Image’, making suburban spaces attractive and pleasant to live in and invest in results in a “suburban revanchism”. Revanchism focuses on stimulating a strong middle class and making the city safe for corporate investments implementing policies to protect and safeguard this private bubble while developing more desirable living environments by regaining social control. Development policies are adopted as part of the revanchist urban strategy to banish initial residents and to reconquer the city for the capital and middle classes. Contemporary development initiatives of urban growth management which result from such a political transformation, are not compatible with local demand facts. Thus, disciplines of urban planning and architectural developments at mega scales fail to consider activities at the human scale. This study examines the importance of physical planning in promoting a socially cohesive neighbourhood. An inductive research approach is adopted. The results suggest that urban neighbourhoods in Sri Lanka experience an uncoordinated distribution of spatial developments that purely privilege the private and transnational capital with little or no consideration given to the interests, needs, and aspirations of permanent residents. The study recommends planning for ‘socially cohesive neighbourhoods require evidence-based frameworks and encompasses a ‘participatory approach’ which addresses challenges and harnesses the opportunities of urbanization.
item: Conference-Full-text
Space syntax as a methodology to study ‘power’ in a spatial program in conflict situations
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Katugaha, R; Silva, N; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
In the broader attempt to understand the nexus between the elite and the non-elite, which many philosophers and sociologists have attempted for centuries, architecture and urban design also have their relevancy in this regard. Therefore, while it is perfectly reasonable to state that “Architecture is no commoner practice”, it is also vital to understand that this nexus also has its presence in our day-to-day perceived, conceived, and lived experience (Lefebvre,1997). The Practice has a greater history of portraying eliteness and power with its spatial program and expression. With the change in the human being as well as the society, which transformed from dictatorial to democratic the use and the perception of the building or its Architecture is also subjected to change. This paper is an attempt to understand the social logic of space, the existence of power in it, and its transformation in a specific conflict situation; with the broader intention of finding possible ways forward in identifying some of the issues deeply embedded in our social structures. In this pursuit, the objective of this paper is to figure out the use of ‘space syntax; analysis’ by Hiller and Hanson (1984) as a method to spatially analyze a programmatic relationship between the structure and its associates. Therefore people, intentionally or unintentionally respond to sentiments. The study attempts to unravel the nexus between spatial logic and the social logic that existed during a conflict situation; with regard to the civil insurgence against the political establishment in Sri Lanka. An image review and videography of such events have highlighted similarities in terms of Architectural accountability. Hence the study is being developed to identify the existence of the above hypothesis in a real conflict situation.
item: Conference-Full-text
Sustaining colour in preserving urban context: an insight from tangible cultural heritage in Kandy city
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-05) Warakagoda, D; Polhena, M; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
It is the obligation of architects to design buildings and places for the present, thinking about the future, yet inspired by the past. Hence, the story behind a local context's evolution should be narrated through the local heritage down the timeline to be preserved for future generations. Thus the issue identified was how the urban character and the city image of a particular context can be preserved amid current hap hazardous developments with social trends. This paper tries to address the question of how colour is a necessary attribute in preserving the local urban character because of its adaptability through various means of application. Sri Lanka is a very diverse country with a history and culture that values and imbues colour with significance and meaning. The living heritage city of Kandy was taken as the case study limiting to 2 major arterial streets which run through the city center to study the current built fabric's character. The study objectives were to find out whether the local heritage has been preserved through the built fabric, if not, to find out why and any previously imposed guidelines regarding maintaining the built fabric to preserve the local heritage down the timeline with special reference to colour while meeting with new social developments and their rationale. Therefore, interviews were conducted with local and foreign visitors, architects, and local planning authorities to get their opinion on the current state, the possible future of local heritage preservation and to get a general census on creating an applicable guideline to the city built fabric. Finally, it was concluded that through the correct application of colour the urban character would eventually result in creating a city image which will sustain an authentic city identity while preserving the local heritage and culture.
item: Conference-Full-text
Understanding the effects of microclimate on the behavior of people in urban public spaces
(Centre for Cities & Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2023-04) Deen, AA; Dayaratne, R; Wijesundara, J
Humans by nature are social creatures, therefore the provision of public spaces for social activity is an integral part of urban design. The use of public space is also seen to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of people. The modern-day decline in urban public space usage is due to comfortable thermal environments being created indoors through the use of technology and advanced design principles. The primary focus of this study was to understand the effect of microclimatic conditions on the behaviour of people in outdoor urban public spaces, in order to identify design methods to create a more conducive environment. A plaza and waterfront in the city of Kandy were identified as urban public spaces for this study. Physical observations, activity mapping, photographic surveys, thermal sensation questionnaires, 3D modelling, and simulations of the thermal environment were the methods used for data collection. The cross-analysis of data led to a better understanding that in tropical climates shade is not the only solution. Air temperature and solar radiation greatly impact the use of urban public spaces and people adapt to environmental conditions by experience. Wind, shade, vegetation cover, and surrounding urban geometry also contribute to thermal perception. It was inferred that there was no one primary factor but rather the culmination of all factors in different ratios that causes the environmental temperature to morph and change, affecting the thermal comfort of a space. The results of this study are used to provide a design-based recommendation in order to achieve an optimum level of thermal comfort and provide design efficacy for urban public spaces.

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