ICCPP - 2016

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.248.9.226/handle/123/22079

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Fourth International Conference on Cities, People and Places ICCPP 2016 - Pre Text
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
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The impact of socio-sensory knowledge on place making
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Palipane, K; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
The emergence of ‘mega cities’ is a growing phenomenon. It is seen as an undeniable manifestation of modernity. But who’s idea of modernity? Many cities in emerging nations caught up in the global process of urban regeneration pursue a western model of modernity and urbanity without much consideration for its impact on social sustainability. This can result in entrenching already inequitable conditions where policies typically address the interests of elite minorities. This paper presents an alternative approach to analysing and engaging with place and its sociality to reveal nuanced place making practices of existing communities giving voice to marginalized groups and views. Presented within the context of fieldwork studies in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray, this paper focuses on the multimodal mapping technique developed to identify and analyse sensory embodied practice. Ethnographic data supplemented by audio and visual recordings are synthesized and represented in a series of multimodal diagrams based the concept of vertical montage which explores the relationships between time, space and activity. This paper also briefly presents a design exploration of a Master of Architecture student at the University of Melbourne who adopted the mapping technique, developing a richly experiential and programmatically appropriate design for urban regeneration. Time-based methods reveal that every day practices create their own epistemic spaces where specific constructs of knowing and being are enacted by specific bodies of differing capacities and cultures. This knowledge could help inform the development of regional model of ‘modernity’ that is socially sustainable and specific to place. One that attempts to address inequity in the participation process and acknowledges the importance of existing spatial practices in creating complex and pluralistic urban spaces.
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The impact of forced evictions on the livelihoods of the urban poor: the case of a development induced displacement in korail, dhaka, bangladesh
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Sonia, I; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
This paper talks about such a case from April 2012, which involved an eviction of a section of the biggest informal settlement Korail, in Dhaka. The eviction has brought into focus the need for a coherent urban poverty and resettlement approach. One part of the slum was bulldozed to extend the main road, as a development project of the government. The plans worked in terms of development initiative, but the policy remained silent on relocation of the evictees. The progress for this research was supported by a quasi-experiment as a strategy. The objective was to reveal an evaluation of the effects on the livelihoods of the evictees and suggest right based alternatives to this development induced eviction. The experiment compared two groups on their livelihood assets and strategies. The evictees were titled as the treatment group and the non-evictees as the control group. Although the comparison inclined more on the “before-after” situation of the treatment group, the control group was considered to explain what would have happened to the treatment group if this eviction had not happened. The research method involved analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from surveys and semistructured interviews. The specific suggestions for the policy makers and involved authorities remain to be focused on the laws against eviction and housing rights besides being considerate and coordinated towards the issues of homelessness or landlessness.
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Rural urban migration, what happens next?
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Islam, S; Tabassum, T; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
If urban migration trend is compared worldwide, developing countries have a higher percentage. This is because the number of people added each year escalates to add more to the already increasing population. We have had countless discussions on the effect of urbanization challenges that these countries face. But how often did we ponder on the deserted rural alleys? The “pull” and the “push” factors for urban migration are discussed worldwide, where economic, social and financial sectors are often debated on. But then, the question outstands as, would there ever be “pull” factors back in the rural areas or they would continue to be tagged as “abandoned”. The objectives settled for this discussion are first and foremost, to promote and encourage incentives that would reduce urban migration to some extent besides discovering ways that could be implied to revive these areas, so that even after major migration phases, the rural areas would not be considered inappropriate to function for the existing inhabitants. The approach is exploratory, incorporating qualitative research strategies. Scenarios from different countries are compared in the context of South Asia, where the urbanization rate seems to have reached the height. The results however are expected to have brought out ideas in for the country sides to be re-enacting, most importantly, highlighting the involvement of different actors in the process. It is expected that through these findings, we would be able to conclude that urbanization, besides being an effect of current globalization trend, with social aspects as well as the economic ones, would not always bring negative phases for rural sides of the developing countries but might as well open new opportunities for future development sectors.
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Towards an urban renaissance in bahrain: regeneration of waterfronts in cities
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Hammadi, F.A.; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Waterfront areas have always been an important part of the urban settings in providing public access to the waterfronts while there are also that cities try to preserve for the best use and practice. Many cities have failed many successful experiences in attempting to regenerate the seashores for public. In Bahrain, the developments that have taken place in the past ten years have affected the public access to the seas. A rapid growth has taken place leading to a massive amount of reclaimed lands around the main island. Unfortunately, these have separated the main cities, which used to be on the shore from the direct contact of the sea. Bahrain being an island, the citizens were fully dependent on the sea in their daily life for centuries. The sea was the grace that god had blessed them with, therefore, most people have spent their lives in the sea or adjacent to it. People of the island today confess sadly that they forget that they are living on an island. Studies have shown access for public to the water edge in Bahrainis no more than 8% of the total islands' shoreline. Due to the rapid growth and infrastructure development, the government intended to reclaim lands to meet people's needs. Unfortunately, this has created more barriers and has enlarged the gap between the cities and the water edge .Inevitably; People have got disconnected from the sea. The main intention of this paper is to view the practice of waterfront urban development in Bahrain generally and particularly its effect on Hidd. This paper examines the city of Hidd as the area of focus and as a practical example to similar cases in Bahrain. The objectives of this paper are to evaluate the effectiveness of regeneration of the waterfront in the area and how to apply them to cater to people's needs . Moreover, the study will develop an understanding of waterfront development, urban settlement and growth in the context of Bahrain. The paper offers some solution to the problem in order to create a better living environment that has a stronger connection to the city and the waterfront at the same time.
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Design guidelines for child-friendly cities, case study: firoozeh neighborhood in kerman, iran
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Azad, M; KouroshAfzali; Azad, S; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Recent years have seen a rapidly growing public debate about the welfare of children around the world. According to UNICEF, a Childfriendly City is a system of good local governance committed to the fullest implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In addition, the outdoor environment is perceived as a social space which influences children’s choice of informal play activities and promotes healthy personal development. On the other hand, in everyday life in Iran, children play on streets or alleys and use almost every open spaces and spaces between buildings as their playground. While, absence of places designed for children, not only in terms of their quantity, but also their quality and neglecting basic safety rules for children are noticeable. The purpose of this study is to analyze how the structure of the built environment contributes to environmental child friendliness and proposing some guidelines toward child friendly cities. This paper draws on research and practice literature as well as the thoughts, experiences and observations of children in firoozeh neighbourhood, as it seeks to draw out the key themes and elements’ regarding a child friendly neighbourhood and how itcan be built. Children between 7-12 years old from Firoozeh neighbourhood in Kerman, were asked to explain their favourite environments and were interviewed individually afterward. The results were analyzed to achieve some guidelines in child friendly environments and explore the places with higher attraction for children.
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Temporary urban interventions for effective place-making in shopping streets: special reference to pettah, colombo
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Wijekoon, N; Wijesundara, J; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Asian cities contain a unique heterogeneity of social cultural backgrounds, which has a significant existence of bazaar type or informal sector with open type temporary and mobile activities that are more flexible, quick, light and low-cost. Today, the mobile, temporary and bazaar type informal activities have an increasing demand for its potential in resisting the high urban rental of land and goods.The study explores the temporary urban interventions such as activity based intentions, structural interventions and sensory interventions in urban shopping streets as place making elements. This stimulates the city to be a unique place for people and transforms it into a place of enjoyment. It can be remarkably effective in remaking an urban public place such as Pettah in Colombo city which is studied here as a case. But permanent physical components are committed resources to improve shopping streets rather than temporary components. That is because city development processes assume that improvements in temporary urban interventions cause uncertain risks in the city. Therefore, temporary components in streetscapes are provided less attention and care. Resources are committed for permanent physical improvements of shopping streets by replacing or removing the temporary installations, which are being eroded This is despite the great interest people show for these places and the benefits gained from them over the permanent components in shopping streets. The research confirms that the temporary urban interventions in shopping streets are the key aspects of making the urban shopping places active. The hierarchy and continuity in the arrangement of layers creates a kind of urban order, which may not be understood by an outsider of that spatial culture. Using unique patterns to enhance city identity and image is also a strategy of economic and community development in the city. Implementing place-making brings positive results in empowering community capacity. It also reveals elements for the affordable places given by community.
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Physical attributes of pedestrian space that facilitate the perception of safety: with special reference to kandy grid city
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Ranasinghe, A; Wijesundara, J; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
This paper explores a link between pedestrian space based safety facilitating strategies formulated for urban settlements. Pedestrian spaces which can be simply address as streets and alleys are major elements of a city. City image and the level of city functionality depend on frequency of these pedestrian spaces. Perception of ‘safety’, which is the physical and psychological feel of protection, is a key factor that attracts human being into spaces to behave among them. Positive physical attributes of the pedestrian spaces are extremely effective in ensuring the safety within them. Most architectural and urban design theorists discuss the independent physical attributes that facilitate the safety but usually there is combination of a set of attributes contributing towards the term. The research systematically reviews these attributes to formulate the legitimate combinations to facilitate the safety. The study was launched in Kandy grid city that contains several streets and alleys network. Kandy city is an ancient city with a significant culture, tradition and ethnic. Study results the least combinations of set of attributes to facilitate the perception of safety as representing all four key attributes extracted from literature search strategy which are built-form, planning and layout, ambience and functions.
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Designing for sri lankan elderly a study on conducive colours for elders homes
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Jayawardhana, J.W.N.S; Hettiarachchi, A.A; Amarasekara, D.; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Aging of population in Sri Lanka is found to be increasing in an alarming rate. As per the estimations of the department of census and statistics, 1/5 of the total population (20%) will be above60 years by 2030. This may lead in to a definite paradigm shift in the physical and spatial attributes of future buildings and cities conducive and sensitive for psychophysiological requirements of an aging population. In comprehending the spatial needs of Sri Lankan elderly, the current investigation zooms in to colour, an imperative psychophysiological element of design which is neglected and less investigated often. A person’s preference and response to colours are subjected to transformation withage. Accordingly, it was attempted to identify most appropriate colours for Sri Lankan elderly based on their preference, to be integrated into their living environments with special reference to elders’ homes. An elder’s socio-economic state was hypothesized as a significant parameter leading to his/ her colourpreference. Three elders’ homes located in Colombo and representing three most significant economic levels (low, middle and upper) of the society as a cross section were selected to be studied. The responses from 120 elders were obtained using a questionnaire survey and interviews. The research subjects were guided with anA2 size colour palette having72 colour coads as options to select the most conducive colours to be incorporated in generating the corresponding spatial attributes of selected functional spaces; living, dining, bed room, kitchen, religious space, and bathroom of their elders’ homes based on preference. A persons past socioeconomic level characterized by corresponding level of education, social status, political opinions, religious opinions, gender and marital status were identified by this research as significant parameters affecting colour preference of his/her elderly stage. These parameters need to be carefully considered when specifying colours in creating better, conducive environments for elders in future.
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Revisiting the concept of smart cities in the indian context” – lessons from contemporary sustainable urban growth theories
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Jayprakash, C; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
This paper broadly aims at understanding the concept of smart city movement and development from Indian perspective. An attempt is made to review and understand the concept and definitions of smart cities in India and other foreign nations especially in the European countries in a comparative manner. Smart city movement is similar to sustainability movement. The concept of smart city aims at improving the efficiency based on intelligent management, integrated ICTs and active citizen participation. The broad components of smart city mainly include: Smart Economy, Smart Environment, Smart Governance, Smart Living, Smart Mobility and Smart People. By and large, smart city concept believes in applying Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to improve the efficiency of cities. Promoting smart cities is about rethinking cities as inclusive, integrated, and livable." In this paper, author makes an attempt to carry out comparative empirical study of contemporary sustainable urban growth theories mainly Smart growth, Compact city, New Urbanism and Transit Oriented development (TOD) principles. Suitable lessons are drawn from the comparative study and on the contrary author argues that, smart city movement complements sustainable development and it can be treated as refined and extended version of contemporary sustainable urban growth theories. In conclusion author states that, smart growth, new urbanism, compact city and TOD principles act as pre-requisite for sustainable urban planning and creating fundamental framework for smart city movement. The efficiency of the smart cities cannot be enhanced without considering and adopting principles of contemporary sustainable urban growth theories. Smart cities and contemporary sustainable urban growth theories complement each other in creating sustainable environment and in no way, the term smart city replaces the words smart growth, new urbanism, compact city and TOD.
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Loss or gained? an analysis of green spaces in city of colombo between 2010-2015
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) De Silva, K. H. D.W.; Ranwala, S.M.W.; Gunawardene, A; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Green spaces are an essential component in urban infrastructure and their heterogeneity influence the services they provide to mankind. During the last five year period a significant change in the landscape of City of Colombo was observed as many improvements were incorporated into various components of its infrastructure. We mapped vegetation cover of green spaces in 47 wards in the City of Colombo in 2010 and 2015 using Google Earth, ArcGIS 10.3 and ArcMap software and assessed their change in extent. In 2015 street trees, and vegetation in residential and commercial areas covered 86.06% of the city area while amenity and green open areas (such as lawns and playgrounds) covered 5.50 %. Cinnamon Gardens exhibited the highest cover for both these vegetation types. Patchy mix vegetation cover of the City was 4.49% and the highest extent was observed in Fort. Mattakkuliya had the highest extent of lake and canals, and associated wetlands which showed a city wide cover of 3.3%. Scattered patches of abandoned paddy fields and related marsh cover were highest in Kirullapone ward. Between 2010-2015 the total extent of green spaces in Colombo City has not been significantly changed, instead changes among vegetation types were identified. These included a 1.5% decrease in open green areas, patchy mixed vegetation, marshlands and a slight increase (>0.5% %) in vegetation at roadside, residential, commercial and amenity areas. A remarkable reduction of 13.26% in green spaces was reported from Modara while 3-6% decrease was reported from Thimbirigasyaya, Bambalapitiya, and Kirullapone wards. A 5-25% improvement of green spaces was reported in Panchikawatte, Pamankada, Kotahena West and East, Lunupokuna and Bloemendhal wards. While reflecting the recent changes in landscape in Colombo wards, this paper also highlights the need of strategic improvement of different vegetation types to receive optimum services and values from city’s green spaces. Thus, it is expected that findings of this work will be used for planning of further modifications to the existing landscape in the City of Colombo.
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Promoting urban development and managing cultural heritage: critical issues of cultural revival in bahrain
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Ayesha, S; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Alongside rapid urbanization of the region and the city, Bahrain has placed a significant emphasis on the revival of historical cultural and built heritage, in recent years. Focused on attracting global attention and local investment whilst fostering economic growth and addressing some of the social challenges related to rapid urbanization, Bahrain’s new city projects are using elements of heritage to promote the development projects both at the local and international levels. Indeed, cultural heritage enables people to better understand previous generations and the history of where they come from and can thereby provide an automatic sense of unity and belonging. In these, numerous critical issues arise related to the need to recognise and retain authenticity as an inherent value of cultural heritage in order to employ such development in the task of uniting people. The objective of this paper is to examine how the engagement of heritage in development has incited a cultural revival, within the transformation of mega city developments. It aims to demonstrate how relevant or irrelevant authenticity is, in relation to promoting heritage restoration and redevelopment of heritage buildings. The paper evaluates the presence of authentic historical fabric in the revived architecture of old Muharraq - the previous capital of the country that has undergone a renaissance of tangible and intangible heritage from the past. It critically analyses and questions how this new-built heritage is being produced, by whom, and most importantly for whom. The research employs the study of documentation of these projects, reflecting on their aims and motivations. It buttresses the analysis by the engagement of people’s perceptions derived using a survey of opinions. The intention is to gain an insight on how local residents relate to these renewal projects and if they do indeed promote national pride and a sense of belonging to their historic past. In conclusion, the paper seeks to locate if authenticity is, if at all, relevant to the people’s engagement with their cultural and built heritage in Bahrain. Moreover, it will evaluate the ways in which the cultural revival has promoted investment and tourism at local and international levels and help create a sense of belong among the people.
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Role of spatial hierarchy in resettling the urban poor:implications of spatial configuration on privacy and interaction
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Karunanayake, K.G.T.N.; Coorey, S; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
The Government organizations in Sri Lanka often resettle the urban poor in high-rise housing. Such housing interventions often do not acknowledge the spatial relationships and organizations of such communities which play a key role in their social ties and way of life. This study explores the spatial configuration of a low income settlement before and after settlement. Following which the study examines the impact of differences in spatial configurations on the overall housing satisfaction. The impact on privacy and social interaction was specially focused on in the analysis of housing satisfaction. An ongoing community housing project “MuwadoraUyana” in Colombo - Thotalanga was selected for the study. The differences in spatial configurations using space syntax and the residents’ views on interaction and privacy using interview were explored in the original low rise and the new high risesettlement. Study highlights the importance of spatial hierarchy and identifies the spatial structuringand spaces necessary to achieve desired interaction and privacy in an original low rise low income settlement. Following which the need for demonstrating such spaces and design directions for a high rise settlement is discussed.
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Factors influencing the effectiveness of human behavior in designed landscapes: two case studies in Sri Lanka
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) De Silva, S; Hettiarachchi, A; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Urban recreational spaces are meant for people to gather, relax, refresh and improve their interaction, thus should be designed consciously and sensitively to have a positive impact on a person’s cognition. The indicator of this impact will be the corresponding behaviour of users. A Landscape Architect is expected to influence the user’s movements and behaviour in creating a desired responsive atmosphere, not only by just designing pathways or furniture arrangements, but also by facilitating user’s movements and behaviour patterns associated with them. Several recreational landscape design interventions have emerged in urban areas of Sri Lanka during the recent past which seems to function well. However, whether these spaces really fulfil the above behavioural need is worth investigating. This paper intends to explore five significant factors which influence effective human behaviour in urban public spaces applicable to recreational landscape designs namely; variety, safety, convertibility, scale and permeability as commonly identified by the eminent scholars; Alexander 1977,Rapoport1977,Bentley et al, 1985and Gehl, 2010. Leading to an investigation on factors unique to Sri Lankan context, a case study survey was implemented in Diyatha Uyana, Baththramulla (n=30) and Urban wetland park, Nugagoda(n=30) with the use of questionnaires, behavioural mapping, observations and then analysed with spatial syntax software. Design following behaviour as well as design against behaviour was observed in both cases. Diyatha Uyana was ranked comparatively high with reference to all the factors tested dominated by variety over Urban Wetland Park. Lack of convertibility, sense of scale, safety and sensitivity to the psychophysiological and behavioural requirements of human beings related to recreation were found to be the weak points inducing design against behaviour of the users and needs careful attention in future recreational landscape design interventions.
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Analytical study on sense of safety in urban landscape spaces
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Jayasinghe, Y. A. O. D.; Gunasena, K; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
This paper examines the user behaviours relative to sense of safety in urban landscape spaces. Reconciliation of feelings, emotions and behaviours of user due to image of the space; it may be comfortable or uneasy. Urban become abandoned or uneasy caused by many design issues. It disruption user engagement and assist to create opportunistic crime spaces. Space contain several physical and psychological parameters which have been found on this study. Prospect and refuge theory, figure ground theory, concept of eyes on the street, broken window theory and sense of ‘enclosure’ theory strengthen the selection of parameters. Theoretical parameters are strengthened by visibility, boundary and enclosure and changing elements affect the sense of safety and fear. Beira Lake and Viharamahadevi Park have been selected as cases, because both have similar landscape characteristics. Surrounding path adjoining with roadscape and middle landscape mass add symbolistic similar characters. This study has used questionnaires, interviews, photo and video survey, behaviour mapping and observations to identify safety or fear generating factors considering a sample of participants in the multi ethnic neighbourhoods, visitors and regular visitors in the day time and night time. Compared to Beira lake; Viharamahadevi park gives safer feeling due to width to height ratio. The park has comparatively long width relative to surrounding heights. The Beira Lake is crowded with high rises and length comparatively less than Viharamahadevi Park. It makes uneasy feeling and control user behaviours.
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Reclaiming traffic influenced urban residual spaces for the public: special reference to Colombo
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Weththasinghe, A; Wijesundara, J; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Although highly populated districts like Colombo, suffer from decrement of open public spaces, there are many unused areas within the city which has not considered for its full potential. It’s observed that most of them are generated due to traffic related issues. The attention given to revitalize them is questionable. Therefore the study aims to identify the possibilities of traffic related urban residual spaces being reclaimed for public use. The study will explore most suitable reclaiming possibilities in selected urban residual spaces. Usage qualities, spatial qualities of existing residual spaces and revitalization possibilities were tested in this study. Data collection was done via questionnaires, interviews and systematic observations. Four cases were selected with variation in its physical layouts and locations in order to represent the traffic related urban residual spaces in Colombo. The study reveals spatial and usage qualities of traffic related residual spaces which vary, mainly due to location type and size of the site; people feel insecure in residual spaces due to vehicular movement and that feeling could be mitigated by physical separations and strategies. Lack of accessibility affects the users to be limited in to a particular category based on gender and age. With reducing the size of the residual space, the reclaim possibility is being changed. Due to traffic movement, most of traffic related spaces has higher visibility, defined site boundaries and it’s a potential for reclaiming. Lack of management and control is the main reasons behind the residual symptoms. Although the traffic related residual spaces have residual symptoms, respondents believed that there is a possibility to reclaiming those spaces for public use. Every residual space has unique appropriation /intervention by users. By evaluating these appropriations it’s possible to select most suitable reclaiming possibility for residual space. Well organized public-private partnerships will help to evade residual symptoms and allow better management and control of reclaimed public spaces
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Spatial factors that contribute to the leftover spaces in cities: a study with reference to Colombo
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Fernando, H R P; Suresh, E A T; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
The evolution of urban city in certain instances lead to disturb the quality of city spaces, Spaces of a city play a vital role in treating people with respect in terms of keep the city spaces alive and safe. However in urban areas there are many abandoned spaces which are converted in to leftover spaces within the passing of years. This is one of the main challenges affecting the advancement society while dealing with the congested spaces. Therefore this research aims to identify the reasons for creation of leftover spaces in the Colombo region. Initially a literature review is carries out and based on the literature findings a conceptual framework was developed. Afterwards three case study sites were selected and these were analyzed based on the conceptual framework. Questionnaire surveys, interviews and observations are used for data collection. Finally a detailed analysis was carried out based on the physical, visual and psychological aspects of leftover spaces. Physical aspects are identified as the main reason for leftover spaces within.
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Integrated work-space module for informal micro metal industries of zinzira, keraniganj, dhaka
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Barua, S; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
A silent industrial revolution has been taking place on the banks of river Buriganga, Zinzira, Dhaka. In comparison with other giant industries, Zinzira have been playing a significant role off the record in recent years. The scenario has generated from quite an unorthodox context and term “made in Zinzira” .During 70’s- 80s’s a special group of skilled workers started to emerge in Zinzira who were mostly hardware mechanics. By only using scrap metal and local knowledge they can reverse engineer expensive machines locally in much less costlier fashion. The term “made in Zinzira” originated from this skill of “reverse engineering” which is somewhat seen in negative lights as counterfeiting and cheap products. As a result, lack of infrastructure, proper workstation, working environment from the scale of the community hinders the potential of this sector. The research & design scheme tries to explore the relationship between the work environment and existing infrastructure within the urban fabric of Zinzira. The aim is to determine a sustainable solution of modules that could be the holistic interface that this specific micro metal industry deserves, as the capital and investments are crucial for the owners and workers of this type of small scale industries. The research will conclude via the comprehensive investigation on how to explore and improve work-space relationships of micro metal industries theorizing schematic work-space modules in order to establish Zinzira as an asset to be recognized in reverse engineering sector rather than leaving it over shadowed by wrongly describing it a counterfeit production industry.
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Spatial patterns and human behaviours: a study of urban public spaces in Kandy.
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Jayasundara, N; Botheju, P; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
Rejection of architectural projects, urban designs and resettlements area major concern in Sri Lankan and worldwide architectural field. Throughout a vast architectural discourse, there are clear identifications that address the human experience in space as a way to success. Experiencing the space is a vital need of human beings. It satisfies the objectives of a human’s inherent emotional needs. Human behaviours and their expectation differ from place to place. To achieve a particular status of human behaviour within a place, the place should support that behavioural change. The main objective is to study the phenomenon of spatial patterns and human behaviours in urban public spaces in Sri Lankan context. The study further focuses on waiting behavioural responsiveness towards geometric properties of public spaces using spatial theories of Jay Appleton, Norberg-Schulz and Christopher Alexander. A well adopted, architectural and landscape context, Kandy city was selected for this study. Five different geometrical properties and four types of human behaviour patterns were selected for the study. To study this complex landscape mosaic in Kandy, a mix method combined with observation checklist and questionnaire-based interviews were incorporated. The primary research findings proved two out of four behavioural actions have a relationship with spatial patterns. The secondary research findings proved that three out of five geometric properties have a significant relationship with the waiting behaviour. The research ascertained that existing spatial patterns and its geometric shape diversifies human behaviour. The major components of these behaviour–spatial pattern relationships are extracted and studied with the purpose of contributing to the current practice of user analysis method and design process.
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A study of Moratumulla timber cluster: agglomeration theory
(Department of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2016) Anuradha, C; Bandusena, P; Wijesundara, J; Dayaratne, R
“Cluster” means purely a grouping. Industries and firms are geographically concentrated as clusters. Location behaviour of firms of a particular industry tends to be clustered together in space as clustering enables them to reach higher economic performance. Alfred Marshall defined the economic benefits gained through the clustered industry as agglomeration effects. Agglomeration economies are the benefits that generate when industries, firms and people locate together in close vicinity to one another in cities. The researchers have discussed agglomeration economies in different contexts. However there was a knowledge deficiency about this in Sri Lanka. This research was based on the theory of agglomeration economies (AE) that aims to study way of functioning sources of agglomeration economies such as sharing, matching and learning in Moratumulla timber industrial cluster. The literature review was studied the theory and identified the indicators to study the sources of agglomeration economies. Moreover the identified indicators were finalized through the professional discussions. Further Questionnaire survey, interviews and observation were used for data collection in order to study the sources of agglomeration economies of Moratumulla. The research was based on the qualitative analysis. Therefore content analysis, network analysis and mapping techniques were used as data analysis of this study. The empirical result of analysis in Moratumulla timber industrial cluster has identified sharing the intermediate input supplies, workers and consumers and a large pool of labor also facilitated the matching. However due to the trend of reduction skilled carpenters’ labor pool in Moratumulla is leading to mismatching. Further Moratumulla can be identified as a center for learning carpentry and act as a workers training school due to the generation of knowledge and diffusion among others through accumulation of knowledge. However Moratumulla timber industry cluster have characteristics of urbanization economies as it goes beyond the localization boundary.

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