Assessment of livability in city of Colombo

Abstract

Unplanned urbanization leads to spatial variations in livability in the City of Colombo. Uneven spatial potential for socio economic development and ad hoc policies and planning intervention of government to tackle the rising human needs creates anomaly in livability conditions in the city. The areas where middle- and high-income communities live have comparatively more livable environment than the other. In areas where lower income communities reside, people experience difficulties in meeting their basic needs since the livability conditions are unsatisfactory. This scenario creates spatial congestion and overstress of basic facilities leading to some parts of the city unlivable. The aim of this research is to assess the livability variations in the city of Colombo and formulate strategies promote poor livable areas for better urban living. This research samples have been selected from the forty-seven wards of City of Colombo municipal council areas on the basis of economic level classification of department of statistics of Sri Lanka. Increase of population and the urbanization process of the city and the impact environment of this process leads to dissatisfaction among the people in the regard of settlement economic opportunities infrastructure facilities and service. The data related to settlement condition, economic opportunities, availability of physical and social infrastructure are very essential to know this situation. Primary data were collected through interviews, questionnaire and filed survey and the secondary data were obtained from the records of Colombo urban development authority, Colombo municipal council, social institutions related to the physical and social infrastructure collected data were analyzed through geographical information system and data of social science statistical package. Settlement, economic opportunities, physical and social infrastructure in the research area has been classified and the people satisfaction level has been calculated in the qualitative terms and the results were obtained. According to the analysis of the study, the present livability conditions of people have been assessed and the factors which influence in the spatial livability variation have identified. It has been found that the Kurunthuwatta ward has the most satisfactorily livability condition and the Mattakulia and Dematagoda have least livability condition. Factors relates with the spatial development are the component which creates variation in the level of people satisfaction. It’s very important to implement plans incorporate with UDA to increase the availability of physical and social services economic opportunities and affordable housing for the people who lives in least livability condition in order to fulfill their basic needs satisfactorily. Furthermore, due to that livelihood and economic improvement, sustainable and eco– friendly development also available.