Abstract:
- Jaffna town is urbanizing rapidly as response
to the growing economy of the region. Space demand for
social interaction also increases in par with the demand
for other uses. Urban Sociable spaces that refer to the
publicly owned and managed outdoor spaces such as
streets, parks, green open spaces, playgrounds, water
bodies, facilitate social interaction and characterize the
image and identify of a city. Jaffna town is unable to
cater the needs in terms of sociable urban spaces, though
there are different types of spaces available. This research
aims to improve the quality of those spaces in order to
cater the needs of urban communities. This research has
been undertaken based on field survey of those spaces,
observation of people who use those spaces, interview of
potential beneficiaries, and planning professionals who
design those spaces. Questionnaire survey of commuters
and inhabitants was conducted to assess the needs to
be enhanced in those spaces. The study shows that the
people lack the habit of spending their time in sociable
spaces though there are needs in the subconscious mind
for recreational needs. The available spaces also polluted
due to waste water discharge and solid waste disposal and
not having necessary infrastructure facilities to attracting
people and provide them safer and comfortable space.
There are no clear land use zoning regulations to prohibit
unauthorized developments and encroachments. Planning
authorities also are not having ideas to incorporate the
sociable aspect of development in the town areas. There
are challenges to create sociable space within the town
Centre since the level of saturated built environment.
A strategic urban regeneration plan must incorporate
provisions for improvement of environment, facilities and
amenities of Fort promenade, Pullukulam, AriyaKulam,
VannaanKulam and Subramaniumpark. Extensive
awareness among the professionals and officers of
planning and development also important to trigger the
ideas from the grass root level.
