Ecological sustainability and continuous tradition of the Sri Lankan urban landscape

Abstract

Urban green spaces are a crucial element of all cities. They affect the townscape, provide ecological diversity and form essential structural and functional elements that make cities and urban regions more livable places for their citizens. It is this key role of improving the quality of urban life that has caused many parties to understand the vital importance of urban green spaces. These spaces have ecological as well as socio-economic functions with relevance to humanities overall wellbeing while performing the central role in development and delivery of sustainable ideals. The inter-related issues of urban sprawl, traffic congestion, noise and air pollution are major socio-economic and environmental problems faced by most cities. What makes urban green spaces green is that they are 'living' - and it is this 'more than human' interactivity that is the key to understanding what makes cities habitable. Urban green space has an important ecological function in its own right. In a city, the presence of open wooded areas, scrub, urban wetlands, horticulture and agricultural areas represent a mosaic of ecosystems. These complex ecosystems contribute to the bio-geo-chemical cycles in an urban environment. Green spaces provide habitat for tree and faunal species which will enhance the biodiversity in a particular area. City Landscapes of Sri Lanka date back to the 3rd century B.C, Anuradhapura which is the first city in the country as related by the chronicles, was planned under the patronage of King Padukabhaya. Several "Wana" and "Uyana" (forests and gardens) were attached within the cityscape. Among them "Maha Mega Wana Uyana" (the forest garden with heavy 'clouds), "Nandana Uyana" (the heavenly pleasure garden), "Ran Masu Uyana" (the gold fish garden) are significant. Since then the capital city has been moved to several locations due to security reasons, seeking natural landscapes that formed defensive mechanisms against invading foreign armies. These cities were well planned and some features are remarkable in terms of sustenance even today. Ecological degradation during the last few centuries, especially throughout the industrial boom and its resultant haphazard development, during the late 20th century has taken a substantial toll on the current urban nodes of Sri Lanka. Yet the sustainable strategies used in early civilizations form a model for smart growth with green infrastructure practices in developing Sri Lankan cities.