Problems and prospects of utilizing canal banks to enhance the built environment in Colombo

Abstract

Waterfronts are assets that enhance the quality of built-environment in urban areas. They are used as public and recreational spaces in many cities around the world. However, cities and towns in Sri Lanka most often turn their back to water bodies. Colombo has environmental assets in the form of a sea front, a lake and a canal network, yet not much attempt has been made to utilize their potential to enhance the quality of environment of the city until recent times. The lake is being rehabilitated while the canal network has already been rehabilitated under externally funded projects. It is observed that the rehabilitated canal network is fast falling back to its previous state of stagnation and pollution due to non-utilization of improved canals and banks. This paper focuses attention on possible strategies to sustain their improved environmental quality in order to enhance the built-environment of the city.