Analysis of urbanization trend in the greater Colombo area from 1956-1994 using air photos
2.3 Urbanization from 1981 and 1994.
During this period the core area had expanded upto Hokandara in the east, beyond Kesbewa in the south-east and Pinwata in the south. The continuous northward expansion of the core has been constrained by the Muthurajawela marsh. The area within a 10 km radius of Colombo is almost completely urban.
In the outer areas, ribbon development was pronounced along Ja-ela-Minuwangoda road, Negombo-Minuwangoda road, Colombo-Kandy road, High Level road and Panadura -Horana
road. Further there was urban expansion around Gampaha town, around Airpor at Katunayake, and around Kalutara town.
During he thirteen years upto 1994, the urban area had increased to 35,900 ha. Comprising 25% of the study area. This represented an increase of 68% over the 1981 figure and an annual increase of 5% between 1881 and 1994.
2.4 Types of Land Converted to Urban Use
North and north-east of Colombo, about 70% of the conversions to urban use were from highlands (coconut lands etc.) and the rest from village settlements.
To the east and south-east, conversion to urban use was mostly from village settlements. This explains the densified development in the south-east considering also that about 570 ha of lands in this part are declared flood detention areas. The pattern of conversion was very nearly the same for both periods 1956-1981 and 1981-1994.
2.5 Projections
Based on the above trend, the urban area would grow to 42,600 ha by 2000 and 53,800 ha by 2010. This constitutes 30% and 37% of the study area respectively.
A northward expansion of the core area could be expected with he development of 160 ha of land recently reclaimed I Muthuraiawela.
3. Conclusions
Apart from the dominant urban core, the urban structure in the Greater Colombo area is mainly one of ribbon development with isolated clusters of more concentrated urban areas. The rate of expansion of the urban area averaged about 5% annually, since 1956.
The pattern of urbanization since 1956, was influenced mainly by small-scale infilling of rural areas and intensification and intensification of ribbon development along main and secondary roads. The process of infill and intensification is greater in a south-easterly direction while there is greater scatter in a north-easterly direction.
The Urban Development Authority, has identified Kesbewa, Athurgiriya, Mulleriyawa and Ekala as growth centers for which plans are being prepared on a priority. If implemented, this would improve the urban structure, provided there are also better transport linkages. The towns to the north-east such as Ragama, Gampaha and Veyangoda too need t be developed on a priority, considering the present scattered development and its attendant problems. In the absence of such a strategy, the tendency for urban sprawl would be greater to the north-east where most of the lands are highlands.
Illustration 1a - Urban situation around Ratmalana in 1956
Illustration 1b - Urban situation around Ratmalana in 1981
Illustration 2a - Part of the urban core around Colombo in 1956
Illustration 2b - Urban clusters and ribbon development east of Muthurajawela - 1956
