Public spaces in our communities

Prof. Ashley LS Perera

The World Town Planning Day (WTPD) is celebrated each year on November 8. It is observed in over 30 countries, and four continents with a view to focus attention on the role of town planning in providing conducive human settlements environment worldwide. This year's theme is associated with public spaces in our communities. With the world population now exceeding seven billion people, the increasing pressure on public spaces need not be gainsaid.

Improving public spaces can create a conducive atmosphere thereby improving quality of life.

Public spaces will indeed be required to serve more roles and functions than ever before. Consequently the traditional public squares, market places, foot paths, school playgrounds, road sides and parks in the built up areas which served a specific purpose are now being called up to be multi-purpose. Thus the intensity of uses of public spaces has increased tremendously over the years causing much concern to the municipal administration in terms of public safety and convenience of those who patronize the city.

Economic growth

Furthermore, state governments have a general tendency to increasingly use public spaces in urban areas as economic development tools, not only to revitalize urban areas but also to have a favourable impact on the national economy. These generalized global concerns are indeed relevant to the Sri Lankan situation in many respects. The informal or unorganized sector in Sri Lanka has been encroaching rapidly on public spaces in all conceivable urban areas causing a headache to all municipal administrators.

These informal establishments received an additional impetus since the 1970s as a sector with a potential for economic growth and employment creation. It is therefore received state patronage and was offered new locations for operation. These locations which were separated from the area of operation of the formal business enterprises however, did not meet the requirements of the informal sector which in fact has no existence in the absence of the formal sector.

Consequently the state efforts to regain some of the lost public spaces were thwarted with the gradual movement of the informal sector to the previous sites. Further the rather adventurous move to install a night bazaar at Galle Face presumably to maximize the utilization of vacant land and the permission granted to erect some temporary stalls were the beginning of the end of the lush green.

The pathetic condition of the Galle Face green which was once the pride of not only Colombo but also the nation is a classic example of political blundering and professional immaturity. The location of the 'world market' adjacent the Fort railway station is also a hindrance to the access of public space as it obstructs the free movement of office workers to their work places located in Fort and adjacent areas.

Different modes of transport

Another important factor that impacts on public spaces is the forms of mobility. This is an area that requires serious attention in the Sri Lanka context. The number of cars that enter the city of Colombo from all directions far exceeds the desirable numbers and consumes a huge chunk of public spaces. It has therefore, become an imperative need to reclaim space from cars. Sustainable development therefore, requires attention to other forms of mobility. The improvement of bus, train or bicycle paths calls for better connections between the different modes of transport.

The connectivity of the different modes is therefore a sine quo non pre-requisite to replace the car by a public mode of transport which will inevitably consume less public space than what is consumed by cars. This would mean that one solitary bus with a capacity for hundred passengers can replace hundred, one passenger self driven cars thereby saving the space consumed by at least 97 cars. Achieving connectivity of the different modes of transport is easily said than done. This requires a concerted effort of an interdisciplinary team of management consultants which should also include town planners. Bus terminals adjacent to railway stations and car parks within railway yards can bring about the integration of the different modes of transport thus relieving some pressure on public spaces. Some countries like Singapore for instance restricts the number of cars entering the city centre through the issue of a special entry permits in addition to the annual revenue licence.

Saving, creating and improving public spaces can contribute to the positive atmosphere of a city or neighbourhood and would eventually lead to an improvement of the quality of life, well-being and image of the city. It is also vital to make public spaces safe.

An actual or perceived lack of security can adversely impact on economic and social activities. Some countries introduce surveillance measures to make the city safe. Public spaces by and large should provide access to all. It is necessary to think in terms of a range of mobility abilities from the disabled to the old and the very young and improve access to urban facilities and amenities.

(The writer is the former Senior Professor of Town Planning of the University of Moratuwa)