Public outdoor recreation spaces with special reference to Kegalle city

Abstract

With the urbanization process, the demand for open spaces for recreation and leisure activities is being increased in an unplanned manner. Even though, the demand for public outdoor recreation spaces is being increased, the supply of those space is not sufficiently available. In the future planning of Sri Lanka's towns and cities we should expect to be able to provide and distribute a necessary long term balance of recreational open spaces to serve local, district and regional needs of our urban population. My topic is presented in four chapters. Under chapter one the following areas are covered Introduction to Public Outdoor Recreation Spaces (PORS) active and passive recreation and the current situation of Public Outdoor Recreation Spaces (PORS) in urban areas of Sri-Lanka. The study of the problem situations and appropriate decisions towards solving these problems in future are discussed. Chapter two Historical background to public outdoor recreation spaces, both local and international. The existence of PORS is evident in the civilizations of Sumarian city, Egypt, China and Meserpothemia. In Sri-Lanka the preparation of PORS plans and the introduction of concept, policies and methodology is addressed by the environment and landscape unit Urban Development Authority. PORSis based on populations. The standard measure adopted by Sri-Lanka is 1.4 he.(3.5acres) for a population of 1000 and the PORSplans are prepared based on the above ratio. In the third chapter the present situation with regard to the PORS in Kegalle city, is Analyzed paying due regard to the potential for development and constraints. The PORS requirements necessary for future expansions in population are calculated in hectare and acres. Kegalle city is one of the main administrative and commercial cites in the Sabaragamuwa province. Further, this is the longest city of Sri-Lanka and has an extended ribbon - type development along the Colombo-Kandy main road. 'Kurulu Kele Birds Sanctuary' has played a vital role to keep the greenery of the city which is naturally situated in a valley. The space reserved for public outdoor recreation within the city is very limited and it is only 0.2% It is described by using PORS plans. In the fourth chapter, decisions based on the facts, which emerged in the 1st and 2nd chapters, field observations and the implementation are described, and concluding with PORSproposals for kegalle city.