Colombo Port City journey begins with the unveiling of DCR
The Colombo Port city journey began with the unveiling of the project’s Development Control Regulations (DCR) at a gala ceremony in Colombo on Tuesday providing a clear mechanism for the implementation of the master plan and refined it further through urban design guidelines.
Participating at the ceremony as the Chief Guest, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawake said that it is essential to bring systematic changes and development processes into the urban community in Sri Lanka to be on par with the massive development drive taking place in the rest of the world.
That will ensure that inhabitants of urban areas become a part of socioeconomic development of the country while maintaining high levels in quality of life.
He noted that the Port City Master Plan’s vision and objectives could be fulfilled through the directives of the DCR for public and private sector developments.
Urbanisation and urban development have assumed a key role in development of the modern world. For the first time in history around 70 per cent of the world’s population resides in cities and the world’s urban population is expected to double by 2050.
Cities are engines of economic growth and cultural development and can offer many benefits to their inhabitants, he pointed out.
Towards this end, the proposed urban development and Megapolis initiative should extend beyond the mere notion of building structures or creating isolated urban enclave, but well established and balanced ecosystems which supports socio, cultural, economic and spiritual wellbeing of all citizens, he pointed out.
The DCR was prepared by Singaporebased Subrana Jurong , one of Asia’s largest urban , industrial and infrastructure consulting firms and UK based Atkins Company to the existing master plan which was originally done by Swedishbased planning consultant SWECO.
The urban structure of port city is designed for livability, social security, tolerance and inclusion, thereby contributing to a high quality of life
“It emphasies a well-balanced relationship between the public, semi public and private sectors where different kind of spaces give rise to a wide range of uses and activities,” Anandan Karunakaran, Director Urban Planning and Design of Subrana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd said.
The Port city would be an extension of the existing city’s central business district, with 5 new districts including, the financial district, the marina, international island, central park living and island living.
He told the large and distinguished gathering that each district offers a good mix of uses for a “live + work+ play” environment.
Parks and open spaces, water front promenades, public plazas and active street edges all along the central boulevard allow for recreational facilities, within walking distances and promote healthy lifestyles that will appeal to all ages and all people, who aspire to live in the heart of the city.
The DCR was devised very carefully in 18 months to create a more connected community with provision for spaces for people to interact and socialise in, he said.