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| Monday, 29 March 2004 |
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'Regaining Sri Lanka' - need for a second look by a correspondent Government's 'Regaining Sri Lanka' development policy was sharply criticised by leading architect Vidyajothi Ashley De Vos at the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) annual forum held at the BMICH on February 26. Speaking on the forum theme - "Architect in inbuilt infrastructure development" he said: Regaining Sri Lanka policy totally private sector driven, and is on the threshold of being plummeted at break neck speed into this new era, a new age of 'Regaining Sri Lanka'. The aspirations of the youth are high, but the ability to achieve this goal in the short-term will be short-lived due to the extensive destruction of the environment it will bring in its wake. Unfortunately none of the rules and regulations are in place, so whatever happens could be very destructive. Sustainable development How sustainable is sustainable development? If the engine of its growth is based on profit alone and if the education system has been systematically and intentionally destroyed from producing what is needed for development of the country, together with low job opportunities, ultimate outlet for youth would be violence. Therefore this Regaining Sri Lanka policy needs serious and careful study and thought.
If Sri Lanka is to have a future it needs a concerted approach to understand and formulate a sustainable balance not only between development and environment but also between physical development and culture. This is not about aping culture and living in the past, but developing a positive and strong understanding of the youth and of contemporary lifestyle and architecture, which is compatible with modern social needs, where entry to the 21st century will be a natural evolution from the past. If this is to succeed the transition needs a systematic and a coordinated programme, that will encompass a total vision for the future of Sri Lanka. Many of you may have wondered why this strange topic? Infrastructure can be examined both at macro and micro level. Built environment can include urban and rural structure roads and the natural environment as well as forests, water, and even common objects like chairs, tables that we take for granted. They are all infrastructure of life at different plains. Inseparable. All inter-related and inter-connected. If you don't have forests you have no water. Many solutions and support systems for an appropriate tropical lifestyle for Sri Lankans have been suggested in the past. Unfortunately the powers that matter at most times have been clothed in an inferiority complex and in a midst of arrogance have been oblivious to the need to listen and the opportunities have slipped away in our mad rush to imitate and climb on to the international band waggon of globalisation of western capital. Poor losing out In this endeavour many of the poor in our countries are losing out, as pressure amounts to concentrate on the more affluent and the advantaged sectors in our society to the detriment of the larger important rural masses. A vision that will bring about and reinforce the traditional quality of life, where man and environment live in symbiotic relationship to the promotion of health, education and sustainable urban and rural development is needed. Alien framework Though many of us think in an alien framework today, we are primarily Asian, it is this Asianness that has sustained the human life form in this island for thousands of years. Over the years this life form has taught us to respect environment and nature. However something happened after Independence. The whole thinking system was politicised for very narrow gains. I don't mean that no such things happened in the past. There had been instances of kings turning destructive too. But religion was not fragmented then, and was strong enough to hold the cultural matrix in place. It was able to repair the cracks and bring it back in line. We have to hope this is still possible. In the rare event of it not being so it is left to the political leadership to preserve the cultural matrix. If they too fail our cultural matrix will be lost for ever never to be regained. This is all hypothetical. Let us hope however there is a will to preserve our beautiful ancient culture. Let us face it even though we work on computers, that we are rural in our outlook. That,s why no sooner we get home from work even when working in foreign lands we change into a sarong put our feet up and relax. Even though we work and live under concrete walls, we Sri Lankans have never been urban animals, and I personally hope we will never be. Asian quality of life All our development efforts should focus on the maintenance and enhancing of the quality of creation of spaces for living, learning, working, recreation and even for dining in the concept of a quality Asian space. We should seek what is the best and strive to create the Asian landscape - an environment of space climate, spirituality of life reflecting traditions, value systems extended into a cool shaded friendly city, a city where we and our future generations will be happy to live in. Our living spaces and environment should not reduce us to nervous wrecks. But instead they should act on us like batteries that would re-charge us for the next day. Man against nature In the West, the concept of development has been man against nature. Man's conquest of nature; while the Asian psyche has always been one of healthy respect for natural laws. We should re-examine this concept. We should strive to get back to our roots and re-trace our path, where did we come from? and where are we going? The projected figure for rural migration to the urban sectors which is now at 32 per cent will go up to 65 per cent by the year 2030. This whole migration is totally unsuitable. We have to re-examine and stem this trend to ensure that this island country of ours will not be destroyed by uncontrolled urbanisation brought about by a Mega City concept. It is 20 years and too late for this yet even at this stage it is essential to evolve a land use plan at macro level for the whole country and in greater detail for every urban centre.All measures should be taken to ensure provision of proper infrastructure dealing with water supply, sanitation, sewerage, surface drainage, flood control and solid waste management. Recycling should be improved using new technology, to reduce the amount of land you require for these. All this is the social responsibility of the government. The present filling up of wetlands that is going on apace should be discouraged. Land is not a renewable resource. |
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Traditional Sri Lanka is lucky. Except for the affluent few the average
youth is non-violent but it is too early to conclude it with any accuracy.
