Mountains and urbanism in kandy

Abstract

The last kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy is one of the important city centers today. However, some of its traditional identities including greenery still remain, among the rapid urbanization and developments that appeared in some parts of the city. The ancient city is in a valley enclosed by green mountains, surrounded by Mahaweli River and far views of mountains; the lake and the green trees and forest are significant in the city landscape: sustaining with natural elements. However, these natural landscapes are in a critical situation today, because of the many new developments, which have failed to understand the role of natural landscape elements in traditional city concepts. This paper examines the role of natural landscape elements in traditional city concepts and how these natural features guide the place and its orientation to establish a sustainable city, resilient and responsible architecture. The research methodology is through a phenomenological view. It examines literature on phenomenology of landscape and architecture, landscape research, ancient city concepts in Sri Lankan-Indian context and evaluates current discussion on sustainable cities and architecture. It analyzes the patterns of relationships among natural landscape, city and the place throughout different time periods and then discusses how these traditional understanding continues today, by means of cyclic rituals continuing in Kandy. The paper argues that these natural features as more than ‘green objects,’ and ‘living’ with people and the city, guiding the orientation of these places, toward sacred dimensions, thus, deeply rooted in the place reflecting these meanings on architecture, urbanism and city of these traditional places.