Analytical study on the built and spatial transformation in shrinking cities and setting out an urban design strategies for revitalization of Matale City

Abstract

Shrinking is not a new occurrence. It has been documented in a large literature analyzing and economic issues that have led to population decline, the social resulting, in the worse cases, in the eventual abandonment of blocks of housing and neighborhoods. Analysis of shrinkage should take into consideration in built and spatial form for understanding that this phenomenon is now global and multidimensional — but also little understood in all its manifestation. Thus, as the world’s population increasingly becomes an urban, accepted view of urban decline need re-dentition. This decline situation instantly express on built structures and later in spatially too. It was previously well known term to only western world and now it’s also popular word among the eastern countries as well. After decades of urban growth, modem societies now face an increasing number of shrinking cities with undergoing massive physical transformations. Since, the impacts on the inhabitants in shrinking cities are numerous. Mostly negative effects dominate in the public discourse and visually witnessing the outcome ofthe effects built and spatial fomi too. But urban growth and urban decline have been synonym of achievement throughout the world and even considered the proper and solitary for urban designing. It has become more visible, since unquestionable facts started to challenge conservative and established urban design paradigms. Consequently, the shrinkage or urban decline is considered as an urban design tool to measure the intensity of decline or growth of cities. Nevertheless, not only in European or American cities, but also in Asian cities in, China, India, and Japan, has number ofshirking cities at recent days. on The study was mainly focused to understand the Urban decline in Srilankan context, selecting Matale City as a case. This study results show how the city structures transform under declining process in Srilanka and the resulted negative effects, outcomes and the underlying causes. Later, analysis direct to establish a conclusion and which will be utilizing to set out urban design strategies for Revitalization of Matale city.