CMR Structure Plan

In early 1996, the Government of Sri Lanka directed the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to revise the Colombo Master Plan of 1979, which had been prepared by the UNDP and a team appointed by the Department of Town & Country Planning. Although , the UDA commenced the updating of the previous Master Plan, it became evident that the socio economic characteristics and physical fabric of Colombo Region have changed drastically and, therefore, the updating of the 1979 master plan was not pursued. A decision to prepare a new Structure Plan was made covering the entire Western Province as the planning area which includes Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara Districts.

Following the decision to prepare a Structure Plan, a team was established in the UDA to study possible approaches to the New Plan, including the updating and revising of the 1979 Plan to design a fresh plan while adopting contemporary and universal changes in planning techniques and practice. It must be noted that during the planning phase the members of the team debated and discussed various approaches views and visions of development, until the final consensus was reached which is reflected in this Structure Plan adopted by the UDA. The Draft Plan prepared by the Planning Team of UDA was assisted by three international consultants, provided by the World Bank, and sectoral contribution were made by a number of Sri Lankan advisers.

On 23rd of August 1996 a draft plan was presented to a large gathering including sectoral representatives, Hon. Minister in Charge of Urban Development, Chief Minister of the Western Province and the Mayors of the Municipal Councils within the
Region at a two day Workshop sponsored by the World Bank and held at the Eden Hotel, Beruwala. A lively discussion and a debate concerning possible future physical development scenarios for Colombo Metropolitan Region took place during the two day workshop.

The workshop led to the recognition that a framework based on the ecological and environmental factors should be the basic framework for the future physical structure for the CMR. It was also agreed that sectoral plans will have to be further strengthen through the contribution of institutional representatives of each sector.

Consequently the UDA held four more Workshops on 27th May 1997, 24th June 1997, 26th June, 1997 and 23rd August, 1997 respectively focussing on different subjects such as Environment, Infrastructure, Transport and Housing. Followed by a number of direct discussions and consultation with sectoral institutions and individual experts. During this period, the Planning Team of the UDA agreed on the following.

Back	Top	Next