Abstract:
Settlement process of the Mahaweli project has passed two decades. It is a reasonable time
period for a sustainable development of a settlement and its self-reliance. The main
purpose of this study is to evaluate the regional development linkages taken place in newly
openedup settlement areas in the Mahaweli project. The next objective is to examine the
adopted planning criteria in relation to the anticipated development and to document the
findingsfor the benefit of next generation and to fulfil the academic purpose.
Chapterone in this study discusses on regional planning related to settlement development
inthe theoretical perspective. The central place theory and growth pole theory appeared to
be the most relevant concepts among various other locational theories related to settlement
development. Then it deals with discussion and on problems related to application of the
aboveconcepts and it leads to examine the evolution og regional planning.
Chapter two examines the background of regional planning in Sri Lanka emphasizing
human settlement development. In this respect, the evolutionary process of human
settlementdevelopment is examined in the historical perspective. Further, it focuses on the
problems and issues related to the development of human settlement schemes under a
regionalplanning framework in Sri Lanka.
Chapter three is confined to an analysis of regional planning aspects of Mahaweli
Development Programme with special reference to the settlement development. In this
respect, it focuses on identifying the background of the Mahaweli Development
Programme considering the main features of the Master plan and the Accelerated
Mahaweli Development Programme. Secondly, it would consider the legislative
implications to establish the institutional setup for the execution of the regional
development plan. Finally it examines the impact of regional planning on human
settlement development. It discusses some of the concepts related to the settlement
planningin Mahaweli Development Programme and its achievements related to settlement
developmentand also its related problems and issues.
