Waterfront developments and their effect on urban sense of place :

Abstract

Waterbodies have arguably been more than simply a valuable resource for Sri Lanka and its inhabitants; they are also a significant aspect of the country's culture. A majority of the waterbodies are connected to cities or flow directly through them, and they have an impact on these cityscapes by influencing the quality of their views. With the passage of time and the extent of their development, waterfronts are frequently altered, resulting in an indirect impact on the place's identity. Many of these waterfronts have poor water quality and have not been properly integrated in terms of their recreational value and historical significance. Between individuals and places, emotional and functional factors generate meaning, resulting in a sense of place. Physical changes may transform the meaning of an area and erode this area's sense of place over time. This study aims to evaluate the affects sense-of-place and its components have on a user's perception in the setting of open spaces of Negombo's waterfronts. The goals of this study are to find physical markers, indications of functional connection, and measures of emotional attachment in order to see if deteriorating waterfronts have a detrimental impact on the public's perception of sense-of-place in Negombo. The study's findings reveal a number of aspects that impact and alter the waterfronts' functional and emotional relationships. More data demonstrates that the environment's physical qualities can improve both place identification and user pleasure. How to enhance and build linkages between persons and their environments is a fundamental concern for designers, planners and politicians. This research adds to our understanding of the human interaction with location and has crucial implications on the decision-making of urban designers, planners and administrations who want to transform their environments into better and more organised spaces.