https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/7294 2026-04-06T12:55:06Z 2026-04-06T12:55:06Z Athukorala, AMP Gunathilaka, AC Kuruppu, KAIS Bandulasoma, HHKT Dissanayaka, DMAP Jayamanne, JMO Manuranga, KP https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/7458 2024-03-16T06:10:12Z 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z

A Geospatial Analysis of the Vehicle Parking System in Galle Fort Athukorala, AMP; Gunathilaka, AC; Kuruppu, KAIS; Bandulasoma, HHKT; Dissanayaka, DMAP; Jayamanne, JMO; Manuranga, KP A proper vehicle parking system is key to the development of transportation systems in growing countries. Studying parking data to exploit flaws and find solutions has also been hindered due to the dynamic nature of traffic and parking data. This research focuses on assessing the efficiency of the existing parking system in the Galle Fort, using parking demand and driver’s parking choice behaviour. From the field survey and questionnaires, five locations were identified to cause a lack of parking space during their peak hours and dedicated days. The parking supply information obtained using remote sensing and field surveys was combined with traffic statistics to calculate the parking space demand in the study areas. It was found that the above-mentioned locations caused a lack of parking spaces in the area. By using existing literature, field survey and questionnaires, parking spaces were provided with a user favorability rating based on the orientation of the parking space, condition, safety, ease of searching and shade available to the parking space. Land use and parking demand have a strong visible relationship. Strategic designing of parking spaces is vital as valuable space in a city should be utilized efficiently while incorporating smooth traffic flow. Further information on the attitude of drivers in the region in choosing a parking space can be determined from this research. Taken together, this study provides useful information about the parking system of Galle Fort which can assist in the creation of the future development plan.

2023-09-01T00:00:00Z Sanjunee, SMM Munasinghe, H Arooz, FR Wijetunge, MNR https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/7457 2024-03-16T05:57:31Z 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z

15-Minute City Concept as a Response to Designing Resilience Future Cities and the ‘New Normal’ of Urban Built Environments in a Post Pandemic Worl Sanjunee, SMM; Munasinghe, H; Arooz, FR; Wijetunge, MNR The Coronavirus pandemic was the greatest crisis that the world faced since the World War II and the impact of the pandemic runs to greater extents that it changed the world into a whole new formation. The entire world was deemed to lockdowns and the global population was restricted to their homes. This New Normal affected the world in numerous ways and the pandemic emphasizes the incompatibility of the modern cities to cope up with the pandemics. 15-minute city model was a concept that was thriving in the period of pandemic and some winning cases like city of Paris bought the lime light to the concept. According to its author Carlos Moreno the concept will result more healthier, resilient and sustainable future cities, but the same has been heavily criticized for contributing in gentrification and causing unreasonable demand on the built environment. The paper is to study this debate over the 15-minute city concept with the analysis of its practical implementation in selected case studies from different geographical as well as social contexts. And to identify the risks, strengths and threats that the concept may imply in future implication by analysing the cities that have used the concept in their reformations and to provide an insight for using the concept effectively in future development proposals.

2023-09-01T00:00:00Z Wijesinghe, BS Guneratne, SR https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/7456 2024-03-16T05:46:26Z 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z

Sustainability and High-Rise Design for the Future Importance of Connectivity Between Vertical Living and the Natural Environment Wijesinghe, BS; Guneratne, SR High-rise living had been universally accepted as a sustainable solution to the housing problem by the end of the 20th century. However, it invariably results in the separation of people from nature, a fact that is especially true of users occupying the upper floors of high-rise apartments. Consequently, such a lifestyle has long been associated with the poor mental and physical health of their users. Sustainable high-rise buildings are, therefore, not merely about responsivity to environmental, technical and economic issues, but also about the improvement of high rise dwellers’ quality of living. Such concerns become even more important in the context of the high-rise’s evolution as a holistically sustainable urban dwelling of the future, due to rising real estate prices in urban areas. It is a foregone conclusion, therefore, that the aforementioned negative influences would also occur in the Sri Lankan context, especially since high-rise living has yet to become entrenched in the collective conscious of her people as a viable lifestyle choice. This paper demonstrates how the outdoor natural environment affects the mental wellbeing of high-rise dwellers. Responses of dwellers of three different high-rise apartments in Colombo, Sri Lanka, regarding their phenomenological experiences of how the outdoor natural environment affected their mental wellbeing, were collected and qualitatively analysed. The results show how the presence of visual connections to the natural environment contribute to the mental health and wellbeing of high-rise dwellers. These findings have relevance to the way user friendly high-rise apartments would be designed in the foreseeable future

2023-09-01T00:00:00Z Kumara, WAPS Pathirana, KNK Premarathne, KDHJ https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/7455 2024-03-16T05:41:14Z 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z

Sri Lankan Identity in Architecture: Perceptions of Lay People on Designed Sri Lankan House Kumara, WAPS; Pathirana, KNK; Premarathne, KDHJ Architects often face the challenge of understanding and meeting the preferences of their clients, ensuring that their designs align with the client's expectations. One key preference commonly expressed by Sri Lankan clients is the desire for a ‘Sri Lankan identity’ or a distinct architectural style that reflects their culture. However, there is uncertainty regarding whether these clients have a clear understanding of their own requirements or can effectively communicate their ideas to the architect. This study aims to explore the perceptions of lay people regarding the concept of ‘Sri Lankan identity’ in architecture, specifically in the context of designing Sri Lankan houses aiming to shed light on the complexities of translating cultural identity into architectural design. Qualitative data were collected using researcher made structured interviews conducted among selected 82 people from 22 districts in Sri Lanka, as well as Sri Lankans living abroad who have experience in house design. Purposive sampling method was used to select the above sample. The interviews consisted of structured questions divided into three parts: demographic data, identification of general ideas on ‘Sri Lankan identity’ and perceptions on designed Sri Lankan house. The data were analysed qualitatively as a thematic analysis. This study suggests that there is no universally agreed-upon definition for a house with ‘Sri Lankan identity’. Further, this research contributes to the understanding of the complex nature of Sri Lankan architectural identity and context sensitivity in architectural design practices

2023-09-01T00:00:00Z