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World Town Planning Day for the first time in SL

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The observance of World Town Planning Day (WTPD) in Sri Lanka was timely in the context of the significant role, town planning has to play in an emerging scenario of steady urbanization, Ashley L. S. Perera, Professor of the Town and Country Planning, University of Moratuwa said in his keynote address to the WTPD conference at the SLFI, Colombo on November 8.

Although, the WTPD had been observed in many countries for several decades, this was the first time such an event had been organised in Sri Lanka, he said.

Prof. Perera said the discipline of town and country planning was primarily geared to the provision of environments conducive to human settlement. It had its origins in the Public Health Acts of the second half of the 19th century Britain.

"Town planning as most other professions affects the day to day life of the people. Public participation, public involvement and public hearings are well recognised means of identifying the aspirations of the people," he said.

Action recently taken to demolish unauthorised constructions in Colombo and suburbs were vehemently resisted by interested parties. It was obvious that what is unauthorised needs to be demolished. Yet there were many who apparently did not understand this simple logic. This also indicated an appalling lack of discipline and utter disregard to the laws of the country, he said.

The main characteristic of town and country planning was that it is both multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary. It is one profession that cannot be practised without inter-professional collaboration.

"Town planners have to face many challenges today. If urbanization was the central problem of developed countries until about the 1970s, it is currently a critical issue concerning cities in the developing world. Therefore how to manage the urbanization is the first challenge faced," Prof. Perera said.

"November 8 is celebrated globally as the WTPD. The international focus on the WTPD was initially mooted by Prof.Carlos Maria Della Paolera of the University of Buenos Aires in 1949 with a view to attract public and professional interest both locally and internationally in the art and science of town and country planning."

He said the town and country planning has been variously described in recent times. Urban and regional planning, community and regional planning are some of the terms used. However, the term " town and country planning " has acquired its meaning over the years through an evolutionary process.

This concept has developed into a unique discipline easily understood by the public due to its long and consistent usage. Town and country planning developed in many developing countries including Sri Lanka in the British tradition, he said.

While many professions may be capable of providing both personalised as well as service to the society as a whole, the town planning profession could cater to the latter more effectively. The conducive human environment that the town planners crave to achieve is a totality which is inseparable and designed for the common benefit of society as a whole, he said.

Prof. Perera said the profession of town planning will have to respond to these new developments. This will involve an innovative approach and a well conceived effort.

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