Gampaha City Climate Sustainability Framework and Adaptation Roadmap

GAMPAHA CITY CLIMATE
SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK
& ADAPTATION ROADMAP
Gampaha Smart City Working Group | For Gampaha Innovation and Investment
(Urban Development Authority, MG Group of Companies and Good City Foundation)
Gampaha City Climate Sustainability Framework & Adaptation Roadmap Page 01

Gampaha City Climate Sustainability Framework & Adaptation Roadmap
REPORT MAKING
SMART GAMPAHA OFFICIAL WEBSITE
THANKFUL FOR
Ka Ming Andre Kwok
Hendra
Hemal Lakpathum
Anil Hearth
Lakshika Weerasinghe
Alwan
Harshani Jayawardane
Ayesha Senarath
Anupa Perera
Divya Sharma Ranjith Gunaratne
Shesha Samarasinghe
Ramitha De Silva
Ratna Rahmayanti Nalini Senasekara
Isanka Weerakoon
Hasitha Lenawala
Farasath Hasan Rajitha De Silva
Sachini Fernando
Nadee Ekanayake Saliya Lenaduwa
Hashan Senarathne
Project Advisor : Good City Foundation
Web Project Manager
Assistant Director (Planning), UDA
MGG- IT Consultants, ECL/MGG
Project Advisor : MG Group
Web Developer
Town Planner, UDA
Architect, ECL/MGG
IT Consultant, MGC/MGG
Strategic Advisor MD,MGC/MGG
Architect, ECL/MGG
Marketing Executive, MGG
Report Designer CEO,MGC/MGG
Architect, ECL/MGG
Business Development Executive, MGG
Research Lead Head Architect, ECL/MGG
Project manager, MGC/MGG
Research Lead CEO, ECL/MGG
Business Development Manager, ECL/MGG
EDITORIAL

TABLE of
CONTENT
About the Gampaha City
Introduction
Considerations of Adaptation
Approach for Gampaha City
Vulnerability Construct
Social Vulnerability
Gampaha Climate Action Appendix
Appendix I
Appendix II
Appendix III
Appendix IV
Appendix V
Appendix VI
Appendix VII
Urban Vulnerability Implications
due to the Worsening Flooding
in Gampaha
Urban Form Vulnerability
13
05
31
17
23
35 75
76
85
87
92
94
101
104
27
47
“The Siyane, Flourishing Green Capital”
Background of Work
About the Organizations
Forewords of Stakeholders
Intergovernmental Panel for Climate
Change (IPCC) AR4
Intergovernmental Panel for Climate
Change (IPCC) AR4
UDA Reimagine Climate Urban
Planning: Capacity Building on Urban
Design, Policy Innovation and Financial
Sustainability.
Smart Gampaha City Working Group:
Climate Improvement District(s) and
Various Asset(-Light) Investment
Opportunities.
Urban Inf rastructure Fixing: Old
Buildings, Public Parks, Streets and
Drainage.
Digital Twin City, Transport-Oriented
Development and Multimodal Transport
Hub.
Vegetation Cover Loss in Gampaha
Snap Raster Toolbox Image processing
– Remote Sensing Analysis
Inundation Flow - Flooding Conditions
In Gampaha
Inundation Flow and Affected Areas
Flood Conditions and Negative Impacts
Flood Prediction In Gampaha
Traff ic and Water Drainage System
Parking and Traff ic
14
06
07
08
18
24
36
38
40
42
48
50
50
51
62
60
64
65

Cities are where
the climate battle
will largely be
won or lost.
António Guterres,
(UN Secretary-General)
“
“
Page 04

Introduction
Background of Work
About the Organizations
Forewords of Stakeholders

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s most climate vulnerable countries in
South Asia while the country produces valuable primary resources
which the global economy looks for, textiles and garments, spices,
gems, rubber and most importantly, graphite (crystalline of carbon
where layers of graphene stacked together (the thinnest material
known, single layer of carbon arranged in a two-dimensional
honeycomb shaped nanostructure, as the raw material for super-
conductor and other aerospace nanotechnology materials)).
With the support of the State Ministry of Urban Development, Coast
Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Community Cleanliness in Sri Lanka
and Urban Development Authority (UDA), despite the most vulnerable
period of time at which Sri Lanka is facing since the independence,
since March 2022 (in the event and with the global supply-chain
impact of Russia-Ukraine war) till the current moment when the white
paper was drafted, Good City Foundation and MG Group of Companies
co-produced the following Actionable White Paper - Gampaha City
Climate Sustainability Framework and Adaptation Roadmap to
reach the following medium-term goals and objectives:
Illustrate the current environmental and climate challenges in
Gampaha City which technology innovations and impact investments
could be deployed and expected with social and f inancial rewards.
Prioritize the city’s climate vulnerable factors and demonstrate
the steps of adoption of climate sustainability f ramework which
private sectors and markets could be motivated to participate for full
stakeholders-driven capitalistic behaviours.
Demonstrate the investment-possible city-level adaptation
roadmap for early-stage climate resilience adaptation through
urban digital transformation and urban physical inf rastructure
improvements. (avoiding an exact carbon emission reduction goal at
the current stage due to the lack of digital inf rastructure for accurate
accountability)
BACKGROUND
of WORK
INTRODUCTION - BACKGROUND OF WORK

Ministry of Urban Development, Waste Disposal
and Community Cleanliness of Sri Lanka signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with the MG Group of
Companies (Pvt) Ltd; a private company incorporated
in Sri Lanka and Good City Foundation (GCF); a non-
prof it non-governmental multilateral development
organisation for the purpose of establishing a
Smart City Working Group in order to develop a
comprehensive urban digital transformation strategies
and execution plan on the Smart City Plan for Gampaha
District of Sri Lanka. The particular MOU was signed on
30th September 2021. Following to signing of the above
MOU, the Ministry appointed the Urban Development
Authority to represent the Ministry at the said Working
Group and to execute the works agreed in the MOU.
Gampaha Smart City Working Group together with the
relevant partners and stakeholders WILL LAUNCH the
Gampaha City Innovation and Investment Forum which
will be responsible for executing the Gampaha Smart
City related projects and programmes.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Urban Development Authority (UDA) is the apex planning and
development promotion and regulatory body in Sri Lanka.
UDA was established by the UDA Act, No. 41 of 1978 as a semi-
government entity governed by a Board of Management. UDA’s
vision is to lead the nation towards planned, sustained and
adored urbanization. UDA promotes integrated planning and
implementation for the economic, social, environment and
physical development in urban areas.
GOOD CITY FOUNDATION
Good City Foundation is a non-prof it regional development
organisation founded in Hong Kong with the vision to foster
closer public and private collaboration for sustainable urban
transformation in Asia. The Foundation is currently off icial
engagement partner with the World Economic Forum.
MG GROUP OF COMPANIES
The MG Group is a leading force in inf rastructure creation.
With over f ive decades of experience, MGG delivers end-to-
end solutions for all development needs. Headquartered in Sri
Lanka, MGG operates in over thirty different countries out of
several regional off ices spread across f ive different continents.
MGG offers a global wealth of knowledge and expertise in
industries ranging f rom Transportation, Education, and Health
facilities, to Land & Water Resource Management, Information
Communication Technology, Renewable Energy, and Urban
Development.
ABOUT the
ORGANISATIONS
SMART GAMPAHA CITY WORKING GROUP
INTRODUCTION - ABOUT THE ORGANISATIONS

The National Policy Framework of Sri Lanka; Vistas of Prosperity
and Splendour, envisions to build a Smart Nation by facilitating a
technology based society. Gampaha Smart City Programme is an
initiative taken to pave the path towards this national goal. City of
Gampaha has many potentials to be transformed into a Smart City. It
is the intention of Gampaha Smart City Programme to harness these
potentials and facilitate the City of Gampaha to earn the status of a
Smart City.
Gampaha Smart City will be a novel experience with innovative
technology solutions and it will benef it its citizens, commuters and
service seekers in numerous ways. Gampaha Smart City will eff iciently
deliver its services to the public and ensure a convenient, safe and
eco-f riendly city environment.
Gampaha Smart City will generate many investment opportunities in
its path to become a Smart City. New business opportunities will be
created contributing to uplift the city economy. It is expected that
more technology driven younger generation who wish to enjoy the
benef its of future Gampaha Smart City will be attracted to the region.
I appreciate the joint efforts of the State Ministry of Urban
Development, Waste Disposal & Community Cleanliness, Urban
Development Authority, MG Group of Consultants and Good City
Foundation in leading the City of Gampaha to be a Smart City. My
vision is to convert Gampaha into an iconic Smart City adding value to
the lives of the people.
FOREWORDS of
STAKEHOLDERS
SMART GAMPAHA CITY WORKING GROUP
DR. NALAKA GODAHEWA
State Minister of Urban Development,
Waste Disposal And Community
Cleanliness.
INTRODUCTION - FOREWORDS OF STAKEHOLDERS
To convert Gampaha into an iconic
Smart City adding value to the lives
of the people.
“
“

Urban Development Authority (UDA),The beacon of Sri Lanka’s national
sustainable development discourse, currently looking forward to
develop prosperous urban spaces where ensures the livable Smart
urbanities for all .Smart city Gampaha is one of our leading priorities
that make true the vision of “vistas of prosperity by His excellency the
president Gotabaya Rajapaksha.
New cutting edge technology already has shaped the functionality of
global cities in enormous way and inspired with innovations of digital
city experience alone urban fabric where contribute on functional
eff iciency .With the latest trends of urbanization and its effects,
cities are drowning in critical issues facing series of challenges over
catering the much advance needs of the public in proactive manner.
The concept SMART city has provide us clear answers, which integrate
digital technology based solutions over fascinating channels of spatial
development.
Designing the future is an art and science, which inspirited by
innovation .Today the digital innovations, have become leading role
players in the development discourse that lays the foundation for
SMART cities.
Gampaha was one of the vibrant urbanities that drive national
economy alongside with its services and it is looking for new blossom
as a national city where serves its people embarrassing innovative
urban solution over its issues. The experience of SMART city will be
launch in Gampaha for the f irst time of Sri Lanka by embarking the
sign of prosperity. Good City Foundation and MG group of company
will work hand in hand with urban development authority, making the
dream into reality as SMART Gampaha.
The Urban Development Authority continues to navigate through
challenges and realize the country’s vision for a better tomorrow
for our future generations. Although we do not underestimate the
diff iculties and obstacles that may be involved, we look forward
to earnestly cherish the opportunity to take the country in to new
heights.
Best way to predict the
future is to design it.
MR. SIRINIMAL PERERA
Secretary of State Ministry of Urban
Development, Waste Disposal and
Community Cleanliness
“
“

We, the Urban Development Authority as the nation’s leading planning
authority of the country, responsibly involve in achieving a better
Sri Lanka, envisioned by the National Policy Framework ‘Vistas of
Prosperity and Splendor’. Throughout the years of past, we are building
the nation in a direction where ensure the sustainable development
and proud to drive the development discourse for the betterment of
our future generations.
The conventional thinking of solving urban dilemmas lead us to much
typical challenges despite whole world is looking at new windows
of development through SMART solutions. The concept of smart city
has risen with the innovations under new era of digital information.
Sri Lankan experience of Smart city was merely popped up in the
discussion table of urban development. Spatial informatics, digital
inf rastructure, Smart services meant to play a key role of solving urban
issues in few seconds of time.
For the f irst time in Sri Lanka, The Concept of smart city is about to
be tested in the flavor of spatial planning. We thoroughly believe this
will be an invaluable legacy for our future generations. Despite of all
the hardships we are facing right now because of world pandemic
and economic crisis, we never give up the dream of building our cities
into much smoother urban fabrics intermingled with modern SMART
solutions.
SMART Gampaha development project is to be identif ied as a turning
point in the Sri Lanka’s history of urban development. Under the
project, smart pillars of city development were detailed out f rom
grassroots to advance level. Smart Mobility, Smart governance, Smart
Living, Smart Health will be planted as SMART concepts in Gampaha
city in advance. Opportunity to embrace the colors latest city planning
will be a great window to standardize our city spaces where cater the
development needs.
I take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to the project
team of Gampaha Smart city, specially the UDA team, Good city
foundation of Hong Kong and MG Group of Company who have lead
us to this great opportunity to plant the SMART concept in our own
grounds.
MAJOR GENERAL (RETD)
UDAYA NANAYAKKARA
Chairman of Urban Development
Authority
Vistas of Prosperity
and Splendor.
“
“

As the apex planning agency in Sri Lanka, Urban Development
Authority envisages to realizing planned, sustained and adored
Urbanization through integrated planning and implementation of
economic, social, environmental and physical development strategies
in declared urban areas. Influenced by the global trends of digital
transformations and Smart City solutions, the UDA is also exploring
and researching the methods on how technology based novel concepts
can be adopted into the Sri Lankan context.
Sri Lanka is currently experiencing rapid urbanization in line with the
globalization and technological advancements. Yet, the application
of technology based solutions in spatial developments is limited.
Although, Smart City solutions have been attempted in some instances
as an isolated cases, there has not yet been a case where the Smart
City concept was applied to an existing city in a holistic approach.
Gampaha Smart City project will be the f irst project in Sri Lanka,
attempting to facilitate the transformation of an existing city into
a Smart City. The project is a collaboration between the Urban
Development Authority, State Ministry of Urban Development,
Community Cleanliness and Waste Disposal, MG Group of Consultants
and Good City Foundation of Hong Kong. The working group of the
project will closely work with the Gampaha Municipal Council and
the relevant stakeholders in exploring the potentials of the city of
Gampaha and formulating its strategic path to earn the status of a
Smart City.
The project will enable the UDA staff to upgrade their competencies
on the latest technology driven smart solutions and their applications.
The project will also act as a model to facilitate the future smart city
projects in Sri Lanka.
All the interested stakeholders are invited to join hands in
implementing the Gampaha Smart City Project which will lay the
foundation to build a smart nation in Sri Lanka.
PLNR. MR. N. P. K. RANAWEERA
Director General of Urban
Development Authority
Gampaha Smart City project will
be the first project in Sri Lanka,
attempting to facilitate the
transformation of an existing city
into a Smart City.
“
“

Page 12
Mehmet Murat Ildan
( Contemporary Turkish Playwright, Novelist and Thinker )
IT IS ALWAYS EASY TO CREATE
AN ORDINARY CITY;
“
“
What is difficult is to create
an extraordinary one, peaceful
and restful one, smart and tidy,
artful and cultivated one, in
short, a livable one!

About the
Gampaha City
“The Siyane, Flourishing
Green Capital”
Page 13

ABOUT THE GAMPAHA CITY - THE SIYANE, FLOURISHING GREEN CAPITAL
Page 14
For illustration Only
Ambuluwawa Mountain Hill, Sri Lanka
FLOURISHING
SIYANE
“The
GREEN CAPITAL”
AN ENTHUSIASTIC CAPITAL CITY WITH HARMONIZED
GREEN LUNGS IN THE WESTERN REGION

District Population
2.4 million (11% of the total population)
1.05% net population growth rate
Gampaha Capital City Population
227,000 (1.46% net growth)
45,000 School Population
with 40,000+ active incoming students
for tuition.
(Gampaha City is a vibrant education hub by its
economic form)
Labour Force Participation Rate
50.7% with over 10,000 SMEs registered off ices in
Gampaha.
Households of 600,000 with Forest Cover
of 1.92% only. (Optic Fiber internet inf rastructure is
available)
Page 15
ABOUT THE GAMPAHA CITY - THE SIYANE, FLOURISHING GREEN CAPITAL

Our public spaces are
as profound as we allow
them to be
Candy Chang
(Artist, Designer, Urban Planner)
“
“
Page 16
For illustration only
Galle Face Green, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Vulnerability
Construct
Intergovernmental Panel for
Climate Change (IPCC) AR4
Page 17

INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL for
CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC) AR4
VULNERABILITY CONSTRUCT - INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL FOR CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC) AR4
Industry by Sectors
58% (Service-Based); 39% (Industry) and 3%
(Agriculture) in 2017.
Gampaha scored the 2nd highest Average
Income per capita in 2016, at 19,271 USD
(Colombo, 26,242).
Gampaha Capital City Population:
227,000 (1.46% net growth)
45,000 School Population with 40,000+
active incoming students for tuition.
(Gampaha City is a vibrant education hub by
its economic form)
AREA POPULATION
GROWTH RATE
2009 - 2016
GAMPAHA 203,427 1,41
NEGOMBO 146,278 -0,21
MEERIGAMA 169,376 1,26
MINUWANGODA 183,528 1,72
DIVULAPITIYA 148,717 1,04

AGE 6-14
15,07%
AGE 15-34
29,25%
AGE 35-64
38,93%
ABOVE 64
9,50%
AGE 0-5
7,24%

VULNERABILITY SUSCEPTIBILITY ADAPTATION
HARMS
POTENTIAL IMPACT
AND RISK EXPOSURE
(Sensitivity and Exposure)
(sensitivity)
High on low-lying
region within
Gampaha.
Need to be
utilized natural
endowments
such as wetlands
to reduce the
susceptibility.
When the
precipitation
persists, harms are
dramatic.
The proper
approaches had
not been properly
identif ied.
Still need to be
improved further.
Still f inds as
lagging in policy
formation.
Annually, losing
a higher number
of people’s lives
and irreversible
damages for
properties.
Acclimatization is
higher but need
to follow proper
initiatives.
ADAPTATION
CAPABILITY
*Annex A: Comparison of AR4 and AR5 Approaches, https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2017/08/AR5_Uncertainty_Guidance_Note_Annexes.pdf

In the context of cities, in which they need to be sustainable and
resilient for handling the natural hazards and various other calamities
it is important to develop the physical and institutional capacities that
would be needed to deal with the constant alterations and specially
the uncertainty. The main element of standardizing should be the
proper political jurisdiction and functionality along with timely policy
changing and proper implementation. In the realm of maneuvering
through the risks exposure which is related with the predisposition
of the flooding condition in Gampaha, it could be clarif ied that, how
the susceptibility is involved and how it can be managed. As a key
insight, there is a considerable land which is belonging to wetlands
within Gampaha and these environmental systems could be managed
for making the flooding conditions pretty much under controlled by
acting as natural barriers and retaining the excessive waters.
The only requirement is the lack of proper mechanism in integrating
the wetland environment accordingly to handle the excessive water
that accumulates within the city center. In that sense, the potential
risks which are ascribed with the process can be largely depleted.
Moreover, the adaptation capability which can have direct implications
on resilience with the methodologies to handle the flooding
occurrences, should be revamped. This is ideally needs to be improved
in the form of accurate and eff icacious policy alterations as well as
with timely decision-making.
As the second insight it can be further clarif ied that, the context
of handling the proper adaptation methodologies, the ability of
Gampaha on dealing with the prospects of acclimatization for these
type of natural haphazards. The mode and process of making proper
adaptation methodologies are quite important. When the context in
Gampaha is considered, the likeness of promoting these mechanisms
are quite high as the region has various endowments that can be
promoted for handling the context of acclimatization within Gampaha.
They may include the natural features that can be attributed with
certain phenomenological occurrences within the area itself. Other
than that, the town is comparatively limited in the area of inundation
as the same land plots get inundated each year and these land plots
are more or less nearer to the stream and tributary network that goes
across the region. The only initiative that is required is to making a
proper handling mechanism that would connect the stream network
properly with the flow of water that would not exacerbates the
flooding condition in Gampaha.
Other than that, there leaves various concerns such as - how well
are the drainage systems connected and improved to elicit a
flawless water flowing in the region? How well are the canal systems
improved? These favorable conditions are mandatory to develop in
terms of handling the flooding condition within Gampaha and if these
procedures can be handled correctly, then the right policy shifting can
be promoted accordingly.

Cities are
humans’ shoddy
attempts at making
ecosystems
Elliot Connor
(Founder and CEO of Human Nature
Projects)
“
“
Page 22
Nanuoya, Sri Lanka

Social
Vulnerability
Intergovernmental Panel for
Climate Change (IPCC) AR4
Page 23

INTRINSIC CHARACTERISTICS EXTRINSIC CHARACTERISTICS
Political Economy Approach
Pressure-and-Release Approach
Resilient Approach
(interplay of vulnerability and the
physical exposure to hazards (dangerous
locations))
(ability of the city to recover after the
hazards, to learn and to rebuild better in
the face of the next events)
(human-centric factors, e.g. physiological
factors e.g. ethnicity and sex)
(gender, social culture, type of housing and
knowledge of the communities)
There is a higher building density in
where the region of getting flooded.
Additionally, the daily commuting
population towards the town center for
various purposes.
Several specialized locations had been
identif ied as flood prone areas and those
are pretty much susceptible to flooding.
The wetlands, natural parks,
environmentally endowed destinations,
well-dissipated stream network can have
much positive initiatives.
The outer drainage facility design
and canal development functioning
could have been predominant cases
of making flooding conditions much
severe.
The outer canal network as well as the
drainage network could be developed
for flawless water flow through the
town itself.
Page 24 Gampaha City Climate Sustainability Framework & Adaptation Roadmap
SOCIAL VULNERABILITY - INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL FOR CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC) AR4
INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL for
CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC) AR4

SOCIAL VULNERABILITY - INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL FOR CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC) AR4
In the consideration of social vulnerability within the considered
region of flooding within Gampaha, the most decisive factor is which
the daily commuting population into the town center. For various
daily choruses and needs, these mass population is arriving into the
city center in a daily basis. When there is flooding within the region of
concern, all these communities get affected massively and would not
be able to handle the daily needs eventually.
Another important factor which needs to be concern about the
region which is heavily flooded is the area is teemed with tuition
class clusters. Because of that, majority of students get affected
by this massive flooding conditions. Most of the time, the railway
station as well as the bus stands also get flooded. Because of these
circumstances, most of the people are affected massively. Therefore, as
the intrinsic characteristics, the persisting building density of the area
which is being flooded can be identif ied and as the extrinsic factor,
the mass people commuting scenario can be attributed.
As mentioned, there is a higher susceptibility and potential ability
in handling the natural hazards accordingly through the proper
utilization of natural phenomena within Gampaha itself. Lastly,
the most important factor to be identif ied is that, how to integrate
these scenarios accordingly to manage the flooding condition within
Gampaha and properly utilize the canal network, wetland environment
as well as the persisting natural park environments…etc.

Rebecca Solnit
(American Writer)
“
“
A city always contains more than
any inhabitant can know, and
a great city always makes the
unknown and the possible spurs
to the imagination
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Urban
Vulnerability
Implications due to the Worsening
Flooding in Gampaha

The major causes of the high flooding condition and stagnation of
water in Gampaha City are attributed to the poor urban planning
processes including the drainage facility design. When heavy rainfall
exceeds 300mm in a very short period of time, the canals in the area
would become severely blocked. Meanwhile, the local government has
been lacking a proper mechanism to monitor and maintain and repair
the drainage system. The canal networks and drainage system hence
were not in place to absorb the heavy rainfall and stream the drainage
water to the designated reservoirs or processing points.
Riverine floods are the most common type of flooding experienced
in Gampaha City, where the Kelani River overflows due to continuous
heavy rain for several days. Meanwhile, many other tributaries are
flooded due to the overload of water. The Gampaha urban area is one
of the most severely affected areas in the country. In the year of 2010
and 2016 to 2020, 8 - 12% of the total populations have been adversely
impacted, among which account for 23 - 40% of the total land area of
the Gampaha DSD.
Due to persisting and prevailing flood conditions in Gampaha, the
upper part of the city is usually influenced and that is obviously the
opposite of the mainland within the city. By the annual flash flood
conditions in Gampaha, the highly affected inf rastructure can be
identif ied as the hospital premises, railway station and the tuition
class cluster area as the land portion where it is quite near to the
tributaries are much prone to flooding annually.
Though the susceptibility is higher for inundation at each higher
precipitation, the time which it may take for the collapse cannot be
predicted as this might not be a considerable mishap for the building
formation as the flood is much stagnated, which usually takes 1 to
3 days to drain down gradually. Majority parts of the city - hospital,
railway station and tuition class students are highly affected by these
seasonal flooding occurrences predominantly.
Hence, by economic f igures, average annual well-being losses due to
flooding in Sri Lanka are estimated at US$119 million per year, more
than double the asset losses of US$78 million. Asset losses are reported
to be highly concentrated in Colombo and Gampaha District, and well-
being losses are more widely distributed across the country. Gampaha
is also one of the predominant districts that had been highly impacted
by this flooding condition.
Risk of well-being due to the flood condition in Gampaha is estimated
at US$9.449 million, which explains a large dampening to the national
GDP contribution every year due to the poor prevention during the
natural disasters.
URBAN VULNERABILITY IMPLICATIONS DUE
TO THE WORSENING FLOODING IN GAMPAHA
URBAN VULNERABILITY IMPLICATIONS DUE TO THE WORSENING FLOODING IN GAMPAHA

For illustration Only
Photo by pexels.com
URBAN VULNERABILITY IMPLICATIONS DUE TO THE WORSENING FLOODING IN GAMPAHA

Page 30
Charles Baudelaire
( French poet )
“
“
What strange phenomena
we find in a great city,
all we need do is
stroll about with our eyes open.
Life swarms with innocent
monsters

Considerations of
Adaptation Approach
for Gampaha City
Page 31

In all regards of adopting to the adaptation f rameworks, it could
be accentuated that, the tradeoffs which might result in negative
outcomes as the repercussions of the trade-off should not be
largely observed within Gampaha. In case the off icials would take
the approaches in handling the flooding condition, the only urgent
requirement would be to suff ice the f inancial needs and right
technology to be adopted.
As per such conditions, Gampaha can be aff iliated with these key
elements such as that it is needed to identify the key issues such
as the flooding issue which still had not been complied with any
strategic proposals or implementations. Another aspect is which the
longstanding strategical applications for dealing with these concerns
and not moving towards the world-best apposite technological
improvements. To take place accordingly, it is absolutely required
to have a common and well-def ined settings that also comply with
the planning process with a long term resolution in solving the
various challenges highlighted in the ground. It also ensures that
the mainstreaming of practices where appropriate set of values and
climate-proof urban design principles could be adopted.
In addition to the above, the control of growing population distribution
within the urban centers shall be further concerned. The densities
shall be intensif ied within the core of the town and it may be required
to densify the existing built-up areas accordingly. In the development
guidelines, it is required to have proper limitations on how to handle
the outward expansion of the city.
On the other hand, another approach would be to extend the city
center towards the urban f ringe of the city and this could be even
trickier as the environmentally sensitive areas concentration which
are surrounding the urban f ringe. Also, for the challenge in facing the
issues which are bound with higher population growth increment,
certain urban centers could be shifted into satellite towns, hence
reducing the urban development pressure at the core of the city.
CONSIDERATIONS ADAPTATION
APPROACH FOR GAMPAHA CITY
CONSIDERATIONS OF ADAPTATION APPROACH FOR GAMPAHA CITY
of

Gampaha, Sri Lanka
CONSIDERATIONS OF ADAPTATION APPROACH FOR GAMPAHA CITY

Rebecca Solnit
(American Writer)
“
“
Cities have the capability
of providing something
for everybody, only because,
and only when, they are
created by everybody

UDA Reimagine Climate Urban Planning
Smart Gampaha City Working Group
Capacity Building on Urban Design, Policy
Innovation and Financial Sustainability
Climate Improvement District(s) and Various
Asset (-Light) Investment Opportunities
Climate Improvement District(s) and Various
Asset (-Light) Investment Opportunities
Urban Inf rastructure Fixing: Old Buildings,
Public Parks, Streets and Drainage
Digital Twin City, Transport-Oriented
Development and Multimodal Transport Hub
Gampaha
Climate Action

GAMPAHA CLIMATE ACTION (1) - UDA REIMAGINE CLIMATE URBAN PLANNING: CAPACITY BUILDING ON
URBAN DESIGN, POLICY INNOVATION AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Mainstreaming All Considerations of Vulnerability and
sustainability into the process of urban planning and
redevelopment accounts for not only the necessity of directly
related climate remedies, but also long-term inf rastructure
transformation with public leaders’ and citizens’ mindset
change.
A process of considering climate risks and all
relevance to development projects that everyone
faces, and of adjusting project activities and
approaches to address these risks.
Stakeholder Capitalism
Such goals linked to reducing poverty, livelihood security, or improved
well-being for target populations and sustainability of the impact of
that initiative. In this regards, climate adaptations involve for example:
Review and revise existing land use plans, regulations and
legislations:
How a measure might be affected by climate change impacts?
How impacts are addressed in existing planning?
How further adaptation is required to address future climate
challenges and opportunities?
Some long planning cycle may not be conducive to new
mainstreaming?
-
1.
2.
3.
4.
Land Use, Street Improvement or Digital Inf rastructure:
climate adaptation is not the main goal itself but keeping city
sustainable, liveable and equitable for all serve the long term gain for all
interested stakeholders.
UDA REIMAGINE CLIMATE
URBAN PLANNING:
1
“ “
CAPACITY BUILDING ON URBAN DESIGN, POLICY INNOVATION
AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Capacity Buildings on climate related urban design, policy
innovation and f inancial sustainability knowledge shall be
further deployed through collaboration with the multilateral
development organisations such as UNDP, ADB, AIIB and
the World Bank Group, and other think tank or foreign
research institutions for capturing the latest expertise, policy
f rameworks and business and f inancing model which Sri Lanka
and Gampaha City could adopt.
Smart Gampaha City Working Group (the Working Group)
shall be further established with the engagement of Good City
Foundation and MG Group of Companies with enthusiastic
public and private leaders who see the possible climate
adaptation and urban transformation (through digitalisation)
as a strong window of opportunity for economic reinvigoration
and social bonding re-establishment among the country and
society.
Foreign Investment Schemes, Climate Adaptation
Technology Deal Flow and Global Cooperation are at the core
missions for the Working Group for regaining the momentum
of the city development and transformation, f rom a traditional
old urban clusters into digitally connected urban metropolis
with a systematic line-up of asset-light inf rastructure based
sustainable investment opportunity in the next decade where
climate adaptation could be made possible with such change.
2
3
Kandy, Sri Lanka

GAMPAHA CLIMATE ACTION (2) - SMART GAMPAHA CITY WORKING GROUP:
CLIMATE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT(S) AND VARIOUS ASSET(-LIGHT) INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Multilateral Development Prospects and City Innovative
Investment Opportunities shall be mandated to the Smart
Gampaha City Working Group and relevant departments and
agencies (such as investment promotion board, planning
unit and ICT agency). Public and private (young) leaders take
citizen responsibilities to regain the public rights and social
benef its in the national economic engine.
Asset-Light Investment Projects could be curated with the
new governing body in Sri Lanka (with the multilateral aids
upon the stability of society and new government) and action
groups through proactive initiatives, campaigns and schemes
initiated by the Smart Gampaha City Working Group.
Stakeholder Capitalism-Driven Public Private Partnership
through the Smart Gampaha City Working Group shall be
initiated and curated for engaging deeper networks of private
(technology-based) companies and f inancial institutions
(local and multinational) for curating innovative f inancial
schemes where asset-light investment projects (mostly digital
transformation related, see below) could be simultaneously
incentivised.
Digital Public Goods (DPGs) shall be delivered upon the
planning and implementation of digital twin city-scale
platform (as a public-private cooperation) and curation of
asset-light investment projects.
Open API-Driven DPGs empower the digital inf rastructure
in the Gampaha City as an ecosystem of Big Data connecting
through open APIs with key mobile apps on citizen mobile
phones. Digital public services such as bills payment, social
contributions over various pension schemes, cross-border
remittance, business registrations, permits, weather and
climate alerts and traff ic planning could be analysed real-time
through the digital twin city engine and inter-change user
real-time response through the open APIs ecosystem.
1 3
2 4
SMART GAMPAHA CITY
WORKING GROUP:
CLIMATE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT(S) AND VARIOUS
ASSET(-LIGHT) INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

CLIMATE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT(S) AND VARIOUS ASSET(-LIGHT) INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Global Practices and Benchmarking Programs were
encouraged to the Smart Gampaha City Working Group to
participate
Programs such as Digital Public Good Alliance (DGPA)
launched by the Norwegian Agency for Development
Cooperation (Norad), UNDP, and UNICEF and the G20 Global
Smart Cities Alliance (GSCA) launched by the G20 and the
World Economic Forum Japan are possible examples for
connecting the key players in the Working Group and private
sectors in Sri Lanka. Such kinds of programs encourage more
innovative public policies to facilitate the climate adaptations
(through digitalisation) and its implementation in the long-
term at global benchmarking standards, which also open more
doors for global corporations.
With the participation of the global partners and in-depth
capacity building, climate and sustainability focused funding
schemes (Green Funds and other f inancial instruments or
inf rastructure project based Green Bonds) could be adopted
and designed for the adaptation in Sri Lankan cities. Possible
f inancial rewards and interests are expected to be f rom the
land values, asset-light investment capital gain and new
business innovations out of the digital transformation across
the cities and various sectors involved.
5

URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE FIXING: OLD BUILDINGS, PUBLIC PARKS, STREETS AND DRAINAGE
Urban Inf rastructure Fixing is considered the primary, urgent
and key remedies that the city sectors shall deploy based on
the f indings in the full assessments conducted by the Working
Group hereby.
Heavy Rain and Flooding Issues is of the Key Urban
Environmental Challenge due to the climate change and
mismanagement of the city inf rastructure such as street
congestion and underground drainage system.
1
Along with the city leaders’ capacity building and digital inf rastructure
establishment, in prior to any physical inf rastructure further innovation or
redevelopment such as mentioned TOD and MTH, basic city public utilities
such as public street spacing and underground drainage network shall
be repaired, further expanded and redesigned for better monitoring and
recycling of flooding / rain water to avoid long-term economic and social
costs at such natural environmental damages.
SMART GAMPAHA CITY
WORKING GROUP:
URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE FIXING:
OLD BUILDINGS, PUBLIC PARKS, STREETS AND
DRAINAGE

URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE FIXING: OLD BUILDINGS, PUBLIC PARKS, STREETS AND DRAINAGE
Old Buildings and Public Parks shall be reconsidered
regarding their public purposes, climate adaptation
functionality values and common community meanings in the
city.
Urban Regeneration could be set as an urban initiative to
not just beautify the city outlook for longer term attractions
of populations and foreign tourists, but also serve to rethink
the planning of IoT sensor devices over the renewal of old
buildings and the public facilities to monitor social activities
and green zones. (health of plantation, water system
automation, public facilities’ disaster prevention remote
control system, etc.)
City Fabrics shall hence be given additional meanings and
values to the future city development of Gampaha upon
such inf rastructure renewal, f rom acting as a climate risk
cushion to turning climate impact into positive city resources
(e.g. upcycling flooding / rain waters) and city physical
inf rastructure network readiness for digital inf rastructure.
2

Gampaha City Planning Framework devised by the current
Urban Development Authority would be incorporated and
adopted in alignment with the proposed Gampaha City Climate
Adaptation Roadmap.
While the currently planned Transport-Oriented Development
(TOD) and Multimodal Transport Hub (MTH) are in place of
the development schedule, integrating the various SMART
approaches in Governance, Mobility, Living, Economy and
People as highlighted in the Planning Framework, Digital
Twin City Platform technology would be expected to be
deployed upf ronted to bridge and aggregate all city data into
cloud-driven ecosystem and a digital dual visualisation and
simulation real-time of Gampaha City could be constructed at
the design and planning stage of the city planning.
Upon the Open API ecosystem and other digital (public or
private) services being curated, the digital modules could
be retrieved and structured to support a more eff icient
development of TOD and MTH.
SMART GAMPAHA CITY
WORKING GROUP:
DIGITAL TWIN CITY, TRANSPORT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AND
MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT HUB
DIGITAL TWIN CITY, TRANSPORT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AND MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT HUB
1

Digital Twin City Platform is planned to implement through
smart city technology transfer with facilitation of the Smart
Gampaha City Working Group in collaboration with relevant
foreign investment board.
Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) and Multimodal
Transport Hub (MTH) is to be further assessed and simulated
for liveability and mobility planning purpose as the Gampaha
City is positioned to attract further population growth and
concentration in Sri Lanka, the principle of urban planning
and land use is to ensure the city is of high liveability and
convenience of career development for general households
(moderate income and middle-class) to maintain a stable net
positive growth of working populations in the metropolis.
The urban development model and the transport hub design
shall be planned at the conditions of climate adaptation in the
face of energy supply, inf rastructure integrity and maintenance
and damage-proof stability.
2
3

Gampaha smart city planning f ramework by the
urban development authority

In urban planning, one of the compounding aspect is which, acting
and planning contemporary with the public interest. In the realm
of urban planning, there are key concerns to be addressed properly
prior to handle the concepts of proper planning scenarios. One of
the key concerns is which the inability to identify the key and core
issues which are related with an urbanity. Additionally, inappropriate
and mostly non operational, outdated planning initiatives can also
become a hindrance. Another specif ic character in handling the
urban planning initiatives would be the capacity which is having for
implementing the planning process.
Additionally, the legal f ramework can be a huge hindrance for the
management of the planning process and that legal background may
not grant the best traction for planning processes. Another scenario
would be the time limitations and in case, the planning processes
wouldn’t grant the suff icient and adequate time for proper planning
prospects, the probability on making potentially benef icial platforms
would be hindered. Another key aspect that need to be addressed
in this regard would be the accentuating on the facts of sustainable
growth within a city. In case the urban development matters being
neglected the chance of growing sustainably would be certainly
loosen. Consequently, the proactive management of urban growth
patterns will be highly crucial.
Hence, the main role of the planner will be to utilize the land sensibly
and minimize the negative externalities as much as possible which
may be carved out as outcomes. To make the urban spatial structure
more comprehensive, there are several initiatives that can be followed
such as intensif ication, extension, and multiplication of the urban
spatial structure. In the realm of urban spatial planning, mixed use
developments could be identif ied as a much synergetic approach in
handling the reduction of social f ragmentation as a whole. In the
smart city initiatives, predominantly considered about these aspects
in handling the proper requirements of the society in various aspects.
As a solution and for moving towards the smart city initiatives, it could
be ideally aff iliate the strain in achieving the proper inf rastructure
and here, the basic components had been incorporated which can be
elucidated with the constituents of Urban planning.

Simon Van Booy
(Anglo-American Writer)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
“
“
For those who are lost,
there will always be
cities that feel like home

Urban Form
Vulnerability
Vegetation Cover Loss In Gampaha
Inundation Flow and Affected Areas
Flood Prediction In Gampaha
Traffic And Water Drainage System
Snap Raster Toolbox Image Processing
- Remote Sensing Analisis
Inundation Flow
Flood Conditions and Negative Impacts
Parking And Traffic

Built up area increased by 26.1% in the last 10 years due to the rapid urbanization.
VEGETATION COVER
LOSS IN GAMPAHA
From 2001 to 2020, Gampaha
lost 119 hectares of tree cover,
equivalent to a 2.3% decrease in
tree cover since 2001.
In 2010, Gampaha had 3.77kha
of tree cover, extending over
42% of its land area.
URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - VEGETATION COVER LOSS IN GAMPAHA

URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - VEGETATION COVER LOSS IN GAMPAHA
In 2020, it lost 3.05ha of tree cover itself.
In 2000, 57% of Gampaha was tree cover.

Floods in 2008, 2010, 2021 displaced about 11768, 15200, 10112 people respectively.
SNAP RASTER TOOLBOX IMAGE PROCESSING
– REMOTE SENSING ANALYSIS
URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - SNAP RASTER TOOLBOX IMAGE PROCESSING
– REMOTE SENSING ANALYSIS

In Gampaha, the flooding is mainly affecting the town center and
other surrounding areas near the main city core. These are some of
the GN divisions that are predominantly affected by the flooding
conditions within Gampaha.
INUNDATION FLOW AND
AFFECTED AREAS
URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - INUNDATION FLOW AND AFFECTED AREAS
Galthotamulla
Karanekamulla
Yakkala East
Kidagammulla
Mahipalagoda
Bendiyamulla East
Moderate
Very High
GN NAME
RISK
VALUE
LEVEL
Low
Low
High
Low
0.37
1
0.21
0.25
0.48
0.06
Medagama I
Baduwathugoda
Pepolgasdeniya
Morenna
Boraliyawatha
Moderate
Very High
Low
Low
High
0.34
0.97
0.2
0.25
0.47
Yakkala West
Medagama II
Bendiyamulla West
Indigolla
Pahalagama
Moderate
High
Low
Low
Moderate
0.31
0.63
0.19
0.23
0.38
Ihalagama East
Ihalagama East
Yakkala South
Low
High
Low
0.27
0.6
0.18
Gampaha Aluth-
gama North
Medagama IV
Gampaha Aluth-
gama West
Low
High
Low
0.26
0.57
0.18

42.85% of agriculture land affected by flooding
10.77% of residential area affected by flooding
11.16% of built-up area affected by flooding
Henarathgoda
Keselwathugoda
North
Aluthgama Bog-
amuwa North
Very Low
Very Low
Very Low
0.15
0.05
0.12
Yakkala North
Medagama III
Bendiyamulla
North
Very Low
Very Low
Very Low
0.13
0.04
0.11
Weediyawatta
Gampaha Aluth-
gama East
Aluthgama Bog-
amuwa South
Very Low
Very Low
Very Low
0.13
0
0.11
Keselwathugoda
South
Very Low 0.12
Thittalapitigoda Very Low 0.12

GAMPAHA DSD FLOOD INUNDATION AREAS – 23 MAY 2018
Figure 55: Flood Inundation areas of Gampaha DSD - 2018

These are some of the images that show the inundated areas and overall,
how the maps could be utilized for further demonstration f rom the maps.

As per the building density variation, it can be identif ied most
of the areas within the Gampaha DSD has a higher variety in the
distribution of buildings and within the town center, this can be
vastly noted. therefore, the vulnerability for the flooding conditions
is higher when there is a higher building concentration at a single
location predominantly

Gampaha town center is inundating when there is a considerable
short period of precipitation. The Gampaha-Ja Ela bus stand area,
Gampaha-Colombo bus stand, Old Police Station, Public Cinema
Hall area, Hospital Junction, Gampaha Rest House areas, Gampaha -
Minuwangoda New Road and many other areas in Gampaha town were
inundated.
There was an unprecedented influx of rain water and floods in
Gampaha this time and the drainage was at a very low level. The water
of Attanagalu Oya flows into the lagoon through Ja-Ela and most of
the time 36 out of 57 GN divisions in Ja-Ela are inundated.
INUNDATION
URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - INUNDATION FLOW - FLOODING CONDITIONS IN GAMPAHA
FLOW
FLOODING CONDITIONS IN GAMPAHA

Within the area which is covering the western region in Gampaha,
flood susceptibility is highest and when moving towards the more
western part and southern part of Gampaha, the flood susceptibility is
reduced considerably.
Within Gampaha, predominantly, the poor urban planning had been
affected and lots of drainages had not been properly maintained
or designed accordingly. In 2017, there had been a severe flooding
condition within western province and during that season, Gampaha
had been considered as one of the most affected regions in Srilanka.
losses of US$78 million. Asset losses are reported to be highly
concentrated in Colombo and Gampaha district, and wellbeing losses
are more widely distributed throughout the country. Gampaha is also
one of the predominant districts that had been highly impacted by
this flooding condition. Normally due to floods in Gampaha, normally
as an average 1120 million rupees (6.93 million US $) annual asset
loss is materializing. Risk of wellbeing due to the flood condition
in Gampaha is estimated approximately around 9.449 million US$.
Therefore, the reduction of the GDP contribution is considerably
massive when the contributions are compared within Gampaha.

TYPES OF FLOOD
CAUSES OF FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD
NATURAL FACTORS
RIVER FLOOD
MAN-MADE FACTORS
It may occur within few minutes or
few hours after heavy rainfall
• High precipitation. (2493mm)
• High runoff. (Runoff & Rainfall
ratio is 43%)
• Topography and obstruction of
the natural drainage.
• Low absorbing capacity of the
soil.
It occur when river f ills with water
beyond its capacity.
Attanagalu oya -
Uruwal oya -
• Decrease in vegetation cover
due to deforestation.
• Breaking of bunds constructed
on the tributary river for irriga-
tion purposes.
• Urbanization in the low lying
areas.
• High urbanization leads to
high runoff.
• Inadequate drainage capacity.
• Construction activities in the
river bed.

Photo by Unsplash.com

Existing flooding condition within Gampaha Town center
FLOOD PREDICTION
IN GAMPAHA
URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - FLOOD PREDICTION IN GAMPAHA -
Rainwater of Gampaha district flows into the Negombo lagoon
through the Attanagalu Oya. The Weliwita hatch is the last hatch
which is across the Aththanagalla Oya. It is located 500m away
f rom Kotugoda Bridge in Ja- Ela – Minuwangoda main road. The
hatch has a 20 feet one opening and flow is very low and it floods in
Ja–Ela, Katana, Minuwangoda and Gampaha Divisional Secretariat
Divisions. Most of this standing water is noticed in abandoned
croplands, banana cultivations and large-scale devastation in
household areas as well as several roads have been disconnected
restricting the movement of the general population. Considerable
heights of flood waters were observed in some household localities
causing untold damage to rural households and gardens/croplands.
Areas under banana cultivation and rubber plantations are also
currently under standing water.

URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - FLOOD PREDICTION IN GAMPAHA -
Flood prediction 10 and
20 years ahead.

Presence of a large extent of flood plains associated with Attanagalu
oya has contributed to flood related problems in the area which
damage public and private property annually. With the poor condition
of the existing drainage system, the city is highly affected by flooding
on heavy rainy days. Even on the average rainy days roads & pavements
get affected due to absence of a well-maintained drainage system.
Existing drainage system is not in a good condition. Drainage has been
blocked with waste; some drainages are uncovered, making mosquito
breeding environments an inconvenience to the public as well as
damaging the appearance of the city.
2017 Severe Flood condition –
230 Commercial places 25443.7350 Sq.m of Area
134 Ongoing Construction places 12360.1289 Sq.m of Area
FLOOD CONDITIONS AND
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - FLOOD CONDITIONS AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS

URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - FLOOD CONDITIONS AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS

Local roads directly connecting to Arteries
without connecting to Collector road.
TRAFFIC AND
WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM
URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - TRAFFIC AND WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM

PARKING AND
TRAFFIC
URBAN FORM VULNERABILITY - PARKING AND TRAFFIC
Parking is one of the main requirements for a city. As a residential
city & TOD center, Gampaha should expect higher existing and future
parking demand. The city center has been congested by the on-
street parking and it makes a huge disturbance to the walkability and
smooth mobility of the people. There is only one public car park which
provides 50 parking spaces and that is not enough for existing parking
demand. Therefore, people are used to doing on-street parking. As
a main city, Gampaha has whole day parking demand but doesn’t
provide adequate parking, making a large negative impact on the city.

This is the accessibility map which shows how accessible the local
area is and as per the accessibility, it can be identif ied that the upper
portion of the DSD has higher access than the lower portion and this
has been prepared to utilize the road and railway line accessibility
analysis of the area accordingly.

There is only one public car park in the city center which having less than 50 parking
spaces. Mainly unauthorized parking can be seen and due to that roads are congesting.
Existing car park
• Public parking space
• Capacity 40 vehicle
• Unauthorized parking

Parking is one of the main requirements for a city. As a residential
city & TOD center, Gampaha should expect higher existing and future
parking demand. The city center has been congested by the on-
street parking and it makes a huge disturbance to the walkability
and smooth mobility of the people. There is only one public car park
which provides 50 parking spaces and that is not enough for existing
parking demand. Therefore, people are used to doing on-street
parking. As a main city, Gampaha has whole day parking demand but
doesn’t provide adequate parking, making a large negative impact on
the city.
Source: Site Planning Project, University of Moratuwa, Department
of town & country planning 23th July 2019

Air pollution rate in
Gampaha extremely
high which is
even greater than
Colombo. This is
mainly due to the
greenhouse gas
emission f rom
vehicles
VEHICLE COMPOSITION
Source: Site Planning Project, University of Moratuwa,
Depertment of town & country 23th July 2019

CASE STUDY: BAUDDHALOKA MAWATHA
Parking is one of the main requirements for a city. As a residential city & TOD center, Gampaha
should expect higher existing and future parking demand. The city center has been congested
by the on-street parking and it makes a huge disturbance to the walkability and smooth mobility
of the people. There is only one public car park which provides 50 parking spaces and that is
not enough for existing parking demand. Therefore, people are used to doing on-street parking.
As a main city, Gampaha has whole day parking demand but doesn’t provide adequate parking,
making a large negative impact on the city.
• Commercial – 50%
• Banking & Finance – 12%
• Food & Beverage – 6%
• Retail – 6%
• Medical – 4%
• Education – 3%
• Supermarket- 3%
• Residential – 2%

Most of the buildings in the heart of the city are having old dilapidated structures & not taking the highest & best use of the
location. This may discourage economic development & investments.
Figure 54:Dilapidated & Underutilized buildings in the city center
UNDERUTILIZED & DILAPIDATED CONDITION OF THE CITY CENTER
MAKE CITY IMAGE POOR & REDUCE THE ECONOMIC VALUE

Even though Gampaha is the capital city of the district it does not
make sense as a capital city. Poor maintenance of walkways, drainage,
visual barriers, visual pollution, underutilized spaces, street vendors on
walkways make the city image poor as well as, it is not having Public
Open spaces in the city for the threshold population. The Required
public open space requirement is about 220Ha but the existing open
spaces have been limited to 14 Ha (1 Ha for 1000 People).
Colombo - Kandy Highway, the Establishment of Colombo Vocational
Training Center and Gampaha College of Technology Project, and all
the other residential and industrial developments will be resulting
in negative externalities such as vehicular traff ic congestion, air and
noise pollution, degradation of water bodies and vulnerable natural
ecosystems as well as conflicts between different uses, etc. And also
all other developments of which emerged as results of development
activities were carried out without much attention to the likely
consequences of such developments.
According to a crowd-sourced global database of quality of life
information including housing indicators, perceived crime rates,
and quality of healthcare, among many other statistics, it states
that Gampaha has a pollution index of 75.86% and it’s dissatisfaction
with Garbage Disposal, dissatisfaction to Spend Time in the City,
dissatisfaction with Green and Parks in the City rates are signif icantly
high and also f rom our regional planning studio we identif ied
Gampaha was a triggering town where some services like collecting
garbage and drinking water supply were distributed only along main
arteries.so it is essential that Gampaha has to be undertaken by a
proper development plan in order to curb negative externalities and to
assure supply of public goods for all. And also recent researchers have
found out that gampaha has the highest air pollution when parallel to
other cities in Sri lanka.
AIR POLLUTION
NOT HAVING CAPITAL CITY ASPECT OF THE CITY

Page 73

Jane Jacobs
(American-Canadian Journalist)
“
“
By its nature, the metropolis
provides what otherwise
could be given only by
traveling; namely, the strange
Page 74
For Illustration only
Ambuluwawa Mountain Hill, Sri Lanka

Appendix
Appendix I
Appendix IV
Appendix II
Appendix V
Appendix III
Appendix VI
Appendix VII

APPENDIX I
DEMOGRAPHICS OF SRI LANKA AND GAMPAHA DISTRICT -
CURRENT STATES OF DISASTERS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
APPENDIX I: DEMOGRAPHICS OF SRI LANKA AND GAMPAHA DISTRICT -

Flood Inundation Areas
• Gampaha - Ja-Ela Road
• Gampaha - Minuwangoda Road
• Kirindiwita - Ganemulla Road
• Kirindiwita, Akaravita, Makevita, Ihalagama, Medagama,
Pahalagama

Drinking Water Scarcity Affected GN Divisions – Above 300 Persons
Morenna , Karanayakamulla,Mabima , Mudungoda North,
Badhuwathugoda, Boraliyawatha, Thithalapithigoda,Gampaha
Aluthgama North, Oruthota South, Nedungamuwa.
DROUGHT – DRINKING WATER SCARCITY

This is the power usage distribution and solid waste dissipation and
telecommunication facility concentration within Gampaha district.

DISASTERS STATISTICS IN GAMPAHA

Public Outdoor Recreation Spaces
• Population 2020 - 220,461
• Need Public Parks & Play Grounds for
2020 - 220 ha
• Existing Parks & Play Grounds 2018 -
12.5 ha
• Requirement by the year 2020 – 207.5 ha
• Forecasting Population for 2031 - 272,644
• Need Public Parks & Play Grounds for
2030 - 273 ha
PORS (Minimum Standard) –
1 ha for 1000 people

Economic, Service & Transportation Cluster Overlay
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
URBAN FORM OF GAMPAHA DISTRICT -
NETWORK SHAPE OF CONNECTED URBAN CLUSTERS
APPENDIX I: URBAN FORM OF GAMPAHA DISTRICT -
CBD along with the main central transport
terminals located at the center.
Center is most demanded location due to its
high level of accessibility.
Center is occupied for competitive uses -
Trade & Institutional.

CBD along with the main central transport
terminals located at the center.
Center is most demanded location due to its
high level of accessibility.
Center is occupied for competitive uses -
Trade & Institutional.
Major Urban Centers
Urban Centers
Regional Centers
Rural Centers
Inter & Intra Regional Connectivity

APPENDIX II
STREET PROFILE AND VEHICLE COMPOSITION
APPENDIX II: STREET PROFILE AND VEHICLE COMPOSITION

APPENDIX II: STREET PROFILE AND VEHICLE COMPOSITION
The centre of the urban form constitutes of a grid interconnected inner city
road network. (vehicle-dominated roads)

Flooded tuition cluster in Gampaha City.
APPENDIX III
STREET PROFILE IN THE FACE OF NATURAL DISASTER
APPENDIX III: STREET PROFILE IN THE FACE OF NATURAL DISASTER
One of the Education centers of the country which facilitate more than 40,000
tuition students per day.

APPENDIX III: STREET PROFILE IN THE FACE OF NATURAL DISASTER
Only 9.9% of the population has access to pipe born water.

The most prominent traff ic flow
recorded f rom “Bauddhaloka road”
has signif icantly affected to increase
the traff ic congestion in CBD. The
directional distribution of traff ic is
51.3% (Towards Market Direction) and
49.7% to other direction. 8 am to 9
am and 1 pm to 2 pm can be
identif ied as morning and evening
peak hours.
Source: Google images Source: Google images
Source:
traff ic survey done
by UOM - 2016
Walking and cycling path
Mix vehicle road
Car park
Cycle parking place
Cycle lane along mix traff ic road
Bringing solutions (promoting
walking and cycling) to reduce
traff ic flow may able to generate
accident f ree, traff ic f ree, air
pollution f ree calm and quiet
environment in near future.
STREET PROFILE AND PROSPECT TO REDUCE MOTOR VEHICLES
APPENDIX III: STREET PROFILE AND PROSPECT TO REDUCE MOTOR VEHICLES
Present Future
Total vehicle inflow &
outflow through the day
Traffic nodes in city center

Market street
Bauddhaloka Mawatha
Future
Present

OPTIMIZATION
SMART ARRAY
TECHNOLOGIES
ABILITY TO
DIGITALLY
REPROGRAM
THE SPACE
CAN ADOPT
TREES
THROUGH
SOCIAL
NETWORK
CO-
GENERATING,
CO-HEATING,
CO-COOLING
NEXT GENETATION
OF MOBILITY
• Adopted for reducing energy on street lights - street lamps are
expensive for municipalities
• Utilization for other purposes – Could utilize to weather, pollution,
seismic activity, the movement of traff ic and people, and noise
and air pollution.
• Ability on generating electricity through
solar power
• Ought to f ind methodologies on energy
generation with higher population
growth rate.
https://asutosinc.wordpress.com/2021/04/30/smart
https://www.wearesmarttech.com/
https://www.omega-performance.com/
https://theconversation.com/
what-isgreenspaceworth-4703
• Promote New Technological
Transportationmodes
• Promote non-motorized
transportation
• Effectuate eff icient modes in modal-
shift
• Studies suggest increasing a city’s
“green” by 10 % can help mitigate the
rising temperatures
• Better utilization of existing inf rastructure
• Reusing the same space for different purposes

APPENDIX IV
UNDERUTILIZED AND DETERIORATED BUILDINGS -
URGENT NEED OF URBAN RENEWAL AND INDUSTRIES TRANSFORMATION
APPENDIX IV: UNDERUTILIZED AND DETERIORATED BUILDINGS -

APPENDIX IV: DORMITORY TOWNS AND OUTFLOW OF EMPLOYEES FROM GAMPAHA DSD
Dormitory town is a town that people live in and f rom
where they travel to work in a bigger town or city.
Recently people have moved f rom the city centers to
suburbs or dormitory towns. M.D.Benjamin (2016).
Total: 60961 Employess Travel
Out Side From The DSD For
Their Employments Needs
Similar words: bedroom community, bedroom suburb
UNDERUTILIZED AND DETERIORATED BUILDINGS -

In this land use composition we can see there are still developable lands within the
Gampaha area so this can be taken as a potential to bring up new projects aligned
to smart city initiative. And also according UDA environmental surveys Gampaha has
25% of sensitive areas most of these lands are wetlands and these lands can be used
as flood retention areas with the avoidance of encroachment
APPENDIX V:
DEVELOPABLE LANDS AND NATURAL RESERVE
APPENDIX V: DEVELOPABLE LANDS AND NATURAL RESERVE

AREA (HA) %
Highly Developable Area
Moderate Developable Area
Restricted area for
Development
Total
2818 30.6%
5862
510
9190
63.7%
5.5%
100%

SECTOR PERCENTAGE
Coconut
Religious
Developable
11%
1%
15.01%
Commercial
Water
2%
1%
Paddy
Roads
21%
3%
Residential
Built up
51%
59.09%
Educational
Environmental
Sensitive
1%
25.8%

APPENDIX V: DEVELOPABLE LANDS AND NATURAL RESERVE AT POTENTIAL CONCENTRATION
DEVELOPABLE LANDS AND NATURAL RESERVE AT POTENTIAL
CONCENTRATION
Whole
Gampaha had
been considered
for facility
distribution.

Western Megapolis Master Plan 2035: Logistics Corridor Proposed Multi Modal Transport Hubs
-Gampaha as a Residential Township Population
Projection in 2030: 1,185,259 Employment
Projection in 2030: 461,156
-Gampaha will own an interchangef rom Central
Expressway project and multi modal transport hub.
Passenger Demands of Railway Stations in
Colombo Metropolitan
POTENTIAL OF LAND DEVELOPMENT IN GAMPAHA
APPENDIX V: POTENTIAL OF LAND DEVELOPMENT IN GAMPAHA

APPENDIX V: DEVELOPABLE LANDS AND NATURAL RESERVE AT POTENTIAL CONCENTRATION

APPENDIX V: POTENTIAL OF LAND DEVELOPMENT IN GAMPAHA

Gampaha City Climate Sustainability Framework & Adaptation Roadmap Page 101
APPENDIX VI
TRANSIT DEMAND ACROSS GAMPAHA AND CONNECTED CITIES IN
SRI LANKA
APPENDIX VI: TRANSIT DEMAND ACROSS GAMPAHA AND CONNECTED CITIES IN SRI LANKA
INDEX VALUE
Peak Hour Road Traff ic 4400
Hourly Capacity PCU 3300
Peak Hour Travel Speed 16 Km/h
Peak Hour Passenger Volume 37200 per Hour
Daily Bidirectional Traff ic Volume 95200 Vehicles

APPENDIX VI: GAMPAHA AS RAILWAY AND BUS TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS
Both bus and rail transportation
are mainly directed towards
Kandy & Colombo.
The railway connections
are mainly towards Kandy &
Colombo directions.
The maximum longer distance
buses are up to Colombo and
Badalgama.
GAMPAHA AS RAILWAY AND BUS TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS

APPENDIX VI: GAMPAHA AS RAILWAY AND BUS TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS
• Regarding transport - to organize flows of passengers. The goal is to offer a
good connection between transport networks, so that interchanges are safe and
transfers reliable.
• Its urban purpose - to keep discontinuities
at a minimal level and improve the
legibility of the interchange hub as well
as its integration in the urban setting,
and to maximize the potential for urban
regeneration in areas that might be
assigned other uses
• In terms of services (other than transport)
provided, the hub is meant to make
spaces more practical & pleasant and
serve both users and neighborhood
residents.
2. Innovating and mutualizing: Introducing
strategies to develop services within MTHs
I. Promoting architectural design to better f it the context.
II. Preserving historical values
III. Following principles of Eco-design when designing the hub
I. Identifying which services to offer
II. Def ining a suitable layout
III. Incorporating existing services and
ensuring complementarity
• Offering users new services Eg: Offering
coworking spaces in an MTH
• Mutualizing services Eg: Offering daycare
facilities in an MTH
• Offering Educational services
• Offering recreational services
• Offering residential Services
INITIATIVES
INTERMODALITY
SERVICES
AND
SHOPS
URBAN FIT

APPENDIX VII
GENERAL INDICATORS ON CURRENT RISKS AND DEVELOPMENT
APPENDIX VII: GENERAL INDICATORS ON CURRENT RISKS AND DEVELOPMENT
MAIN INDICATOR SUB INDICATOR REMARKS
Accessibility
Impact on competitiveness and generation of
wealth
Access to public transport
Reduction of exposure to air pollution
Gross value added
Access to basic services
Walking and cycling as transport means for short
distances
Cost effectiveness
Accessibility of origins and destinations
Energy eff iciency
Health and safety
Reduction of accident-related fatalities and seri-
ous injuries
Generation of non-recycled waste
Reduction of external transport costs
Reduction of exposure to transport noise
Public subsidies
Benef its of transport
Moderate in
Condition
Need to be
improved
Developed to a
good standard

APPENDIX VII: GENERAL INDICATORS ON CURRENT RISKS AND DEVELOPMENT
Consumption of natural capital Land take
Reduction of runoff pollution f rom transport
inf rastructure
Consumption of solid raw materials
Discharge of oil and waste at sea
Reduction of damaging to habitats and species
Production of pollutants (local and global) Remedies on emission of greenhouses gases
Moderate in
Condition
Need to be
improved
Developed to a
good standard
Remedies on emission of air pollutants

POLICIES AND
REGULATIONS
SETBACK -
LAND USE -
• Land development ordinance no. 19 of 1935 As amended by ordinance no. 3 of 1946 and acts no. 49 of 1953 and no. 22 of 1955.
• State land ordinance no. 8 of 1947 As amended by ordinance no. 9 of 1947 and act no. 13 of 1949.
• Soil conservation act no 25of 1951 As amended by act no. 29 of 1953.
• National environmental act no. 47 of 1980 As amended by the act, no. 56 of 1988.
• The national environmental (protection and quality) regulations, no. 1 of 2008.
• National disaster management plan Sri Lanka, 2013 –2017-chapter 5.
• Sri lanka comprehensive disaster management program 2014 –2018 department of coast conservation & coastal resource management &
(DCC & CRM)).
• National physical planning policy & the plan —2017-2050 5.1.4. The ‘coast conservation zone.
• Urban development authority planning and building regulations, 1986.
• Urban development authority planning & development regulations 2021 land subdivision, amalgamation, and development.
• The national environmental act, no. 47 of 1980 order under section 23z part I projects and undertakings if located wholly or partly outside
the coastal zone as def ined by coast conservation act. No 57 of 1981.
• Act no. 47 of 1980, central environmental authority part iv environmental management.
• The national f isheries and aquaculture policy, 2018.
• The f isheries and aquatic resources act, no. 2 of 1996 part ii.
• Forest (amendment) act, no. 56 of 1979, forest rules 1979 (no. 1 of 1979), forest (amendment) act, no. 84 of 1988, forest (amendment) act, no.
23 of 1995.
• Sri Lanka disaster management act, no. 13 of 2005 Sri Lanka disaster management act, no. 13 of 2005.
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

LAND USE -
• Urban development authority planning and building regulations, 1986 landscape and tree preservation.
• Antiquities ordinance 1940, antiquities act no. 09 of 1940. Antiquities (amendment) act no. 24 of 1998. No. 12 of 2005-part iii ancient
monuments.
• The national environmental act, no. 47 of 1980 order under section 23A the prescribed activities for which a license is required part b.
• The national environmental act, no. 47 of 1980 order under section 23Z part I.
• Urban development authority planning and building regulations, 1986.
• Urban development authority planning & development regulations 2021.
• The national environmental act, no. 47 of 1980.
• Urban development authority planning and building regulations, 1986 height of buildings.
• Urban development authority planning & development regulations 2021.
• The national environmental act, no. 47 of 1980 order under section 23z part I.
• Antiquities ordinance 1940, antiquities act no. 09 of 1940. Antiquities (amendment) act no. 24 of 1998. No. 12 of 2005 part iii.
• Urban development authority planning and building regulations, 1986 water supply and sewerage.
• Urban development authority planning & development regulations 2021 water supply.
• National water supply and drainage board short title and date law, no. 2 of 1974, no 13 of 1992.
• Urban development authority planning and building regulations, 1986 water supply and sewerage.
• The national environmental act, no. 47 of 1980, order under section 23a.
• The national environmental act, no. 47 of 1980 order under section 23a -the prescribed activities for which a license is required part B.
• National disaster management plan Sri Lanka, 2013 –2017 chapter 5 5.0 disaster mitigation for risk reduction, mainstreaming into
development and climate change adaptation 5.2.3 mainstreaming dry in development policy, planning, and implementation.
• Antiquities ordinance 1940, antiquities act no. 09 of 1940. Antiquities (amendment) act no. 24 of 1998. No. 12 of 2005-part I property in
antiquities.
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

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