GIS application for environmentally sustainable and use planning in the Colombo suburban area, Sri Lanka

Author: K. G. P. K. Weerakoon

AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no. HS-87-06

Year: 1987

Academic Program: Human Settlement (HS)

Type: Thesis (M. Sc.) -Asian Institute of Technology, 1996

Examination Committee: B.W.E. Wickramanayake (Chairperson); Hans Detlef Kammeier, Kaew Nualchawee (Examination Committee Members)

Abstract: The objective of the study is to analyze the existing land use pattern in a suburban town in Sri Lanka and to identify suitable land for future urban development ensuring environmental sustainability. In this context GIS technique is used to identify the land suitable for future development. The land use pattern in the area has changed over time and most of the agricultural land has been converted to the residential purposes in an unplanned manner. As a result urbanization process is taking place in a haphazard way. According to developability analysis land is divided into three categories: developed land, developable land and undeveloped land. The developable lands are grouped into three classes Highly Suitable. Moderately Suitable and Least Suitable. Giving due consideration to environmental protection, this study identified the lands that are suitable for conservation. These lands are also classified into three classes Highly Suitable, Moderately Suitable and Least Suitable. According to these findings finally land suitable for future development and conservation are identified. Land use intensity of the town highlighted that, some lands have very low intensity. Planners should pay special attention to lands that are highly suitable for development and highly suitable for conservation because from a planning point of view these are the places where conflicts are bound to occur.

Scholarship Donor(s): Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science

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Search keywords index: K. G. P. K. Weerakoon GIS application for environmentally sustainable and use planning in the Colombo suburban area, Sri Lanka Human Settlement (HS) Geographic information systems;”Land use — Sri Lanka — Colombo — Planning”