The CUrE: Center for Urban Ecology

THE CUrE

HEALING THE LANDSCAPE TO HEAL THE PEOPLE

H.M.R.K.HERATH | 142117T | DESIGN THESIS| 2021 | B.ARCH (HONS)

ABSTRACT

There exists a ‘rift’ between man and nature; a riftin the form of Cities. Concrete buildings and asphaltpavings have become barriers, rendering him incognitive to the land he inhabits.He no longer empathizes with the living systems thatsupported him. He no longer knows nor cares about the health of the presences just underneathhim.

For the longest time, nature and cities have beenconsidered as opposing concepts. However, the timehas come to reconcile and combine the two in harmonious coexistence. The tension betweenhuman needs, economic drivers and natural systemsnews to be reduced and the rift between man and nature must be healed withinthe city itself.

Can we aord to make space for natural systems, asour cities keep getting more and more crowded eachday? Or can we aord not to?

Keywords: Urban wetland | Ecological infrastructure

POSITION

Architecture can be used as a transformative tool in building a resilient urban fabric.

As for our way of dwelling, with the exception ofcertain good urban plans, no one is worried aboutwho stands above and who stands below.

A study was carried out on the world’s countries’likelihood to survive changes, based on factors suchas food supply, healthcare, and government stability, which showed that the most likely to suerare the planet’s poorest and least developed nations.

One of the major impacts associated with unplannedrapid urban growth is the decrease of urban vegetation,which is often replaced with impervious surfaces such as buildings, parking lots, roads, andpavements. The Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenonis a major negative impact of this sort of urbanization, and it brings forth many unfavourableeects on the planet. A study done on the UrbanHeat Island Eect of the CMC area shows indications of intensifying SUHI eects, especiallyduring the 2007–2017 period when the urbanizationwas more rapid.

It is imminent we have to look forward to resilientcity developments rather than to face the challengesthe future holds for us.

BACKGROUND STUDY | METABOLIC RIFT

Humanityinthetwenty-firstcenturyisfacingwhatmightbe describedasitsultimateenvironmentalcatastrophe:the destructionoftheclimatethathasnurturedhumancivilization andwithitthebasisoflifeonearthasweknowit.Allecosystems on the planet are now in decline.

Thesourceofthisecologicalcrisisliesintheparadoxofwealthin capitalistsocieties,whichexpandsindividualrichesatthe expenseofpublicwealth,includingthewealthofnature.Inthe process,ahugeecological‘rift’isdrivenbetweenhumanbeings andnature,underminingtheconditionsofsustainableexistence: ariftinthemetabolicrelationbetweenhumanityandnaturethat isirreparablewithincapitalistsociety,sinceintegraltoitsvery laws of motion.

Althoughtheriftexists,thereisanopportunityforcitiesto reconnectwithlocallandscapesandthisstudyisaninvestigation into how one can reconnect with the natural world.

Metabolic Rift is a term derived from Marx’s descriptionof the fundamental shift in the relationship between our (human) species and the restof nature which developed along with class society, especially capitalism.

“Metabolism” for Marx, signified the whole of natureand its interdependent processes, of which humans were necessarily a part(Marx MemorialLibrary, 2020).

Rather than cities being an icon of the rift, cancities become the beginning of mediation of the rift?

A car abandoned on the Westlink Road is seen at thejunction with the M1 motorway in Belfast in 2008(McNeilly, 2014)

BACKGROUND STUDY | PATH TO URBANITY

Today,overhalfoftheworld’spopulation—55%(4.2billion people)-livesinurbanareas,aproportionthatisexpectedto increaseto68%by2050.Projectionsshowthaturbanization,the gradualshiftinresidenceofthehumanpopulationfromruralto urbanareas,combinedwiththeoverallgrowthoftheworld’s populationcouldaddanother2.5billionpeopletourbanareas by2050,withcloseto90%ofthisincreasetakingplaceinAsia andAfrica,accordingtoanewUnitedNationsdatasetlaunched today(Mechelli,2020;UnitedNations,2018)(Mechelli,2020; United Nations, 2018).

Thisindicatesthaturbanlandscapesarebecomingmore importantintheseregions.Havingmorepeopletogetherincities isbringingandwillbringfurtherchallengessuchaswaste management,transportation(suchastheriseofelectriccars andchargingstations),environmentaldegradation,economic shocks,migrationanddemographicshocks,violence,crimeor discrimination, among others(Gonçalves, 2018).

A city’s soul is its organism of people. Without them,a city is nothing but a hollow shell of asphalt and concrete. Yet the city can also be exhaustingon the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of its people, and a city dweller constantly findshimself in search of ways to naturally inhibit these demands.

Number of people living in urban and rural areas inthe World from 1960 to 2017 (UN World Urbanization Prospects, 2018)

Share of people living in urban areas, 2017

THE NEED FOR RESILIENCE IN CITIES | A STUDY

“Resilient cities are cities that have the abilityto absorb, recover and prepare for future shocks (economic, environmental, social & institutional).Resilient cities promote sustainable development, well-being and inclusivegrowth.”

(OECD, 2019)

“Resilient cities are cities that can better handlenatural and human-made disasters, protect human life, absorb the impact of economic,environmental and social hazards and promote well-being and inclusive and sustainable growth.”

(Gonçalves, 2018)

Aresilientcityismore humane.There’llbeabalancebetween sustainability, social justice and quality of life.

Thiswillnecessitateredundantandcollaborativesystems. Mutualism,orthecapacitytoexchange,whichbenefitsboth sides,iswhatdrivescollaborationbetweenindividualsinnature. Itisvitaltounderstandthecapabilitiesofcertainoccupations andhowtheycanexchangesurplusesinorderforthistoexistin a neighbourhood.

A matrix in which everything is distributed througha single point as opposed to a network in which distribution is carried out through all points.

Resilience is about how this second networking option is operated because if one end suers a disturbance, there is a redundancy of several other connections to support it and to maintain the functioning of the whole system

NdGainCountryIndex measuresacountry’svulnerabilityto climatechangeandotherglobalchallengesincombinationwith its readiness to improve resilience.

ND-GAINmeasuresoverall vulnerability byconsideringsixlife-supportingsectors–food, water,health,ecosystemservice,humanhabitat,andinfrastructure,andmeasuresoverall readiness byconsideringthreecomponents–economicreadiness,governancereadiness and social readiness.

Norway would be the country most likely to surviveclimate change thanks to its low vulnerability score and high readiness score. Thecountries most likely to suer and lose the battle against climate change are (not surprisingly)the planet’s poorest and least developed nations.

Sri Lanka, with a score of 46.1, is in 103rd place,which is the lower middle category.

(University of Notre Dame, 2021)

THE NEED FOR RESILIENCE IN CITIES | A STUDY OF COLOMBO

Astudy(Ranagalageetal.,2017)doneontheUrbanHeatIsland (UHI)EectoftheColomboMunicipalArea(CMA)shows indicationsofintensifyingSurfaceUrbanHeatIsland(SUHI) eects,especiallyduringthe2007–2017periodwhenthe urbanizationwasmorerapid.Therearesignificant,strong positivecorrelationsbetweenLandSurfaceTemperatures(LST) andNormalizedDierenceBuilt-upIndex(NDBI)acrossallthree timepoints.Whiletherehavebeenindicationsofvegetationloss, from1997to2007,there’salsoindicationsofvegetation improvementintheouterpartsoftheCMA,especiallyfrom2007 to 2017.

The population and the occupied housing units of the western province of Sri Lanka has been continuously increasing. These increasing trends are expected to continue in the future.The challenge will be to facilitate these predicted urban growth developments.

Thestudyrecognizestheeortsofthelocalgovernmentin initiatingurbandevelopmentprogramsthatcouldimprovethe statusofurbangreenspacesinthearea.Infact,theresultsshow thatintheCMA,theareaoflandwith‘veryhigh’Environmental CriticalityIndex(ECI)valueshasdecreased(2007–2017)despite the increase in LST, and this has been due to the increase in the NDVI values.

Thatbeingsaid,theareaoflandswith‘high’and‘moderate’ECI valueshavebeencontinuouslyincreasingandexpanding outwardofthecitycentre.Thus,itisrecommendedthatsuch eortsonurbangreeningbecontinuedinordertodisruptthis trend and mitigate the warming eects of UHI in theCMA.

Normalized Dierence Built-up Index (NDBI) Vegetation Index (NDVI)

PRE-DESIGN ANALYSIS | HEALING THE LANDSCAPE TO HEALTHE PEOPLE

CHEONGGYECHEON RESTORATION PROJECT

Seoul, South Korea | 2002-2005

Thereintroductionofthis3.6-mileHangangRiverwaterwayis oftenheraldedasoneofthemostsuccessfulandrecognizable examplesofmodernurbanrenewalandstrollingalongthis strikinggreenspacetoday,it’sdiculttoimaginethatlessthan 20 years ago the stream did not exist.

TheCityofSeoulvaluesthequalityoflifeofitspeopleandthe importanceoffunctioningecosystems.Bydemolishingan elevatedfreewayanduncoveringasectionofthehistoric CheonggyecheonStream,theCheonggyecheonRestoration Projectcreatedbothecologicalandrecreationalopportunities alonga3.6-milecorridorinthecentreofSeoul.Theprojecthas provencatalytic,spurringeconomicgrowthanddevelopmentin anareaofSeoulthathadlanguishedoverthelastseveral decades.

Before: The river was culverted and buried underneatha 12 lane highway

After the urban renewal and revitalisation

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Step 1: Trac flow management and installation ofsome safety facilities, including scaolding for temporary workto get rid of the elevated highway and protective screens

Step 2: Removal of the upper plate, horizontal support,concrete in the central section, beams that were cut into pieces,including transporting them to a suitable storage place.

Step 3: Cut the elevated highway pier into piecesand transportation.

Step 4: Fix intercepting sewers. Build two-lane roadson both sides of the stream.

Step 5: Work for re-shaping the stream, landscaping.And installation of lights.

The restoration created a 3.6-mile continuous east-westgreen corridor for pedestrians, bicyclists, and wildlife.

WASIT NATURAL RESERVE

Sharjah, UAE | 2005-2016

Originallyawaste-waterandrubbishdump,asurveyrevealed thatduetosomestagnantpoolsofwater,thesiteattracted significantbirdpopulations.Therefore,therehabilitationprocess startedin2005andthesitewasgrantedprotectedstatusin 2007.

40,000m2ofrubbishwereremoved,35,000treeswerere-planted and the land was healed from toxic chemicals.

Today,itisahometo350speciesofbirds,alandingzonefor33,000migratorybirdsand abreathinglungtoSharjahcity.TheWetlandVisitorCenterwasestablishedtocontinue protectingthenaturalenvironment,toeducatepeopleontherichnessofthewetland ecosystem,toprovideinformationaboutthebirdsthatfrequenttheareaandforbird watchers and researchers.

ThenortheasterncorneroftheWaistNatureReserveisonapieceoflandthatwas previously used for playing fields.

Sharjah’s Wasit Wetland Centre is a protected areaunder the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Before

After

Indesigningthe VisitorCentre,thearchitectstookadvantageofthe site’snaturaltopographytominimiseitsvisualimpactbymakingit appearsubmergedintotheground.Visitorsdescendaramptoarrive atanangledintersectionbetweentwolinearelementsofthebuilding: one,tothesides,containingservicesandadministrativeo other,ahead,alongviewinggallery flankedbyaviarieswherebirdscan beseenintheirnaturalhabitat.Atthefarendoftheviewinggallery,a thirdlinearelement,runningperpendicular,housesacaféand multipurpose space with views out over the open wetlands

Minimized architectural intervention.

Architecture as a catalyst to regenerate nature ratherthan to impose the built form on top of nature. As time passes nature started to takeover the site and created its own architecture

DESIGN INTENT | ARCHITECTURAL POSITION

ThecityColombowasoriginallybuiltonawetlandandtoday,remnantsofitremainintheformoffragmentsoflakes,waterbodiesand canals,creatingabluenetworkthroughoutthecity.Withtherapidurbanizationanddevelopmentscameconventionalgreysolutionsand single-mindedengineeringthatstarteddestroyingtheecologicalinfrastructure.Atthesametime,thearchitecturallanguageofthecity’s skyline amid all the concrete and glass, is only addingto the problem.

TheintentionofthisDesignThesisistoexplorehowarchitecturecouldberedefinedtotransformthecityscapeofColombointoamore resilientandmorehumaneplacetolive,byrejuvenatingitsgreen-bluenetwork,whichwill,inturn,becomeaneectiveshieldagainst challengesofclimatechangeandurbanheatislandeects.Atthesametime,itaimstoexplorethetypologyofarchitecturethatcould become a welcoming addition to the city’s new vernacular.

DESIGN INTENT | NEGATIVE APPROACH TO PLANNING

Theconventionalapproachtourbandevelopmentplanning, whichisbasedonpopulationprojectionandthenbuilt infrastructure,isunabletomeetthechallengesandneedsofthe ecologicalandsustainableurbandevelopment,andcertainly unabletomeetthegoalofecologicalcivilization.Itisinthis situation that the Negative Approach was proposed.

ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE | A STUDY OF COLOMBO

EI

The NegativeApproach inurbanplanningdefinesanurban growthpatternandurbanformthroughtheidentificationand planning of Ecological Infrastructure (EI)(Yu etal., 2008).

THE REGIONAL SCALE: Hundreds to thousands of squarekilometres

THE INTERMEDIATE SCALE: Tens of square kilometres

THE SMALL SCALE: Less than ten square kilometres

TheCMAhasexperienced pronouncedurbansprawl alongthemainroadsof Colombodistrictconsuming rurallandsatafasterpace aspopulationshiftsfrom urban areas.

Towardsthecenterofthe city,theexistingblue-green coverconsistsofparks, playgrounds,cemeteries,and thecanalsystem.These fragmentsareproposedto beaconnectednetwork, possiblybycreatingeco corridorsthroughthecanal system and road network.

ecological corridors

REGIONAL SCALE

The increasing trend of built-up areas from 1997 to2018 of Colombo District.(Antalyn & Weerasinghe, 2020).

INTERMEDIATE SCALE

Wetland Zoning Map of Colombo Metropolitan Region(MCUDP, 2016)

is fragmented in the heart of Colombo

DESIGN INTENT | A NEGLECTED RESOURCE

TheBeiraLakeisaneglected,deteriorating,butpotentially magnificentresourcethatisrightintheheartofColombo.Itisa highlyurbanizedcatchmentthatisdenselypopulatedwithhotels, industriesandcoloniesfromwherewastewaterisdischargedinto thelakedirectlyorindirectly.Infact,itisoneofthemain wastewaterreceivingwaterbodiesintheColombomunicipal council area(Weerasinghe & Handapangoda, 2019).

Overview

● Catchment area: 448ha

● Maximum elevation within a catchment: 9.8m MSL

● The 4 basins of the lake: East Lake, Galle Face Lake,West Lake, South West Lake

● The total area covered by the lake is 65.4ha (162acres)

● The average depth of the lake: 2m

● East Lake is the largest and deepest (43.2ha, maximumdepth of 5.6m)

● The water level of the lake is maintained at 1.8mabove MSL by a semi-circular spillway at Galle Face Lake

2 – Mc.

1 –

3 – St. Sebastian Canal

Colombo Skyline today

Beira Lake today

Spillway (Outlet) at Galle face Lake

Callum Lockgates (Outlet) at East Beira Lake

(Inlet)

DESIGN INTENT | BEIRA LAKE RESTORATION PLANS

Currently,thevalueoftheBeiraLakeasanurbanwaterbody hasbeenrecognized,anditisvisiblethroughallthepremiumand high-end land-use proposals dedicated along the shore.

Forthepurposeofthestudy,BeiraLakeBusinessStudyPlanfrom1996,BeiraLake InterventionAreaDevelopmentPlanfrom2018andColomboCommercialCity DevelopmentPlan2030“Aquarina”werereferred.Comparedto1996and2018,thelatest gazettedAquarinaplanhasmorefocusoncreatingpublicspacesalongtheshoreline, whichislargelyevidentthroughitslinearparkproposal,despitealsozoningtheareaas exclusive premium mixed development.

Currently, they are at stage 1 of this proposal, andthe walking path is being built. However, it appears that this place still lacks publicparticipation.

ThisDesignThesisaimstousethesestudiesasasteppingstone fortheprocessofreclaimingthevanishingecosystemsof Colombo.Furthermore,afterastudyofthechangingfaceof architecturallanguageinthecity(Annexure1pg.34)thisisan attempttocreateanadditiontothecitythatmayinspireto redefine the urban fabric.

Beira Lake Business Study Plan (1996) /Beira LakeIntervention Area Development Plan (2018)

Colombo Commercial City Development Plan 2030 (Aquarina)

CONTEXTUAL STUDIES | HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Beiralakewasformedin1521whenthePortugueseFortwas underattackbyalocalruler(RajasingheI),andtorepulsethe attacks,thislakewasformedonastretchofswampylandwhich wasa floodoutletofKelaniRiver,simplybymakingadamona brookpassingthroughthearea.Thelocalpopulace,intheir unsuccessfulattemptstocapturetheFort,drainedthelakedry, twice, through canals.

In1655,theDutchbesiegedtheFort,andthelakewasusedto launchvesselstotransportsoldierstobreachPortuguese defences.Later,thelakewasenlargedandconnectedwithKelani RivertothenorthandPanaduraRivertothesouthbyasystem of canals. OncetheBritishovertooktheentirecountryin1815,andColombo becameitscapital,BeiraLakebecameanornamentofthecity, whereearlyBritishaccountscallit“thebluelakeofColombo”. TheBritishusedtheLakeforrecreation,withmanysocial gatheringsandsportingeventsheldonitsbanks.Residentswho livedonitsshorestookboatstotheirworkplacesinsidetheFort. Basically,BeiraLakewasbothacentreofcommercialactivity and a notable resort in the city.

For further information on the Historical Background,refer Annexure 2 pg 35. For further information on the Physical Context, referAnnexure 3 pg 36.

The term “vernacular” refers to the authentic relationshipbetween the land and people (Yu & Padua, 2006). This can be physical, biological,functional, cultural, or spiritual.

Transformation of Beira Lake over the years(Dissanayake& Pereira, 1996)

A series of paintings of Beira Lake by John Deschamps(1845 ) depicts the ‘Old Vernacular’ of Beira Lake(Archive,2012)

CONTEXTUAL STUDIES | BIOLOGICAL CONTEXT

Current Status of Contextual Vegetation

The existing biological context is rather rich, despitethe deteriorating conditions surrounding the overallcontext, thus, providing an opportunity to improveupon that. The above information was recorded by the author.For further information on the Biological Context,refer Annexure 4 pg 39.

CONTEXTUAL STUDIES | CULTURAL CONTEXT

The above information was recorded by the author.For further information on the Cultural Context, referAnnexure 5 pg 41.

Land Use Map

Accessway Map

Landmarks and Activities

1-Main Entrance 2 -Public Restrooms 3 - Lotus Tower

-St. Joseph’s College Pier

Platform

Port

Entrance

Rowing Club

CONTEXTUAL STUDIES | SITE ANALYSIS

SriLankaPortsAuthority(SLPA)BeiraNewYardismainlyresponsible formaintenanceandrepairstothesteelcargolightersusedbythe SLPAOperationsDivisionandalsohandlesotherstructuralrepairsand blastingworkthatcannotbecarriedoutattheInnerHarbourof Colombo.TheyardisintheprocessofbeingshiftedtotheInner Harbour(AnnualReport , 2016).

The imposing structure of the SLPA Beira Yard Workshopspace is evident, even from across the lake, and that was taken as an opportunity to repurposethis structure.

STRUCTURE ONE | BARGE REPAIR WORKSHOP

There is a series of 21 Concrete Portal Frames, and a separate column and beam series supports the Gantry Crane.

The Gantry crane is designed to carry weight up to 45 tons and also considering the movement of the gantry crane when transporting barges, these structures are also able to withhold dynamic loads as well. Therefore, a structure can easily be placed on top, even a structure that has live loads.

STRUCTURE TWO | CARPENTRY WORKSHOP

PROJECT BACKGROUND | THE CUrE

The Center for Urban Ecology, or CUrE, is expectedto act as the first of its kind, an institute governingthe process of reversing the ecology of the Beira Lake area, from the reconstructionof habitats to maintaining.

State of Urban Ecology Risk Management Monitoring and Control Public Engagement

Mission

Taking actions to mitigate the eects of global challengessuch as climate change, through research, education and publicengagement

Vision

Promoting resilient, livable urban fabrics throughecological interventions.

Working With

Theprojecthas3maincomponents,theResearchCenter,whichwillbeactingasthe mainknowledgehub,andtheVisitorCenterasthemainpubliczone,withtheNaturetrail connectingthesetwocomponentsthroughinteractiveresearchlabsandnaturalexhibits. as

Urban Development Authority

Metro Colombo Urban Development Project

Municipal Council of Colombo

World Bank and Development Corporation

University of Moratuwa

OBJECTIVES

Research Center

To protect and maintain the recreated wetland habitats and wildlife

To promote wetland related research

To become a resource for the delivery of formal education for local schools and universities

Interactive Research Labs and Exhibits Visitor Center

To allow interaction between people and nature through CEPA (Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness) activities

To become a resource for the delivery of non-formal education for public

To improve access and reconnect people with nature

To impact public outlook on Urban ecology

To create a viable tourist attraction in the city centre

PROGRAMMES

Research Center

Centralizing knowledge pertaining to Ecological Research

Lecture series conducted by external and internal experts Training programmes for the Maintenance Crew of the Park

USERS

Research Center Interactive

Primary Researchers Administrators Supporting Sta

Secondary Students and Academics

Tertiary Scientific Tourists

Researchers Students and Academics Nature Enthusiasts

General Public

Interactive Research Labs and Exhibits Visitor Center

Conducting onsite research on Urban Ecology (Biological, Chemical, Physical, Social, … )

Guided Tours

Guided Tours

Short FIlms on ecological themes

Featured Artwork / Sculptures

Researchers Students and Academics General Public

PROJECT BRIEF | ENVIRONMENTAL BRIEF

TheEnvironmentalBriefwillbedealingwiththeprocessof reversingtheecosystemaroundthelake.Thelandmasswillbe softened,habitatswillbeintroduced,andtrailsintroducedat upperandlowerlevelstobringpeopleclosertotheedge, allowingthemtointeractwiththesenewhabitats(Annexure6pg 43).

Destinationswillbeproposedalongthetrails,forvarious purposes,rangingfromrestingandsimplyenjoyingnature,to spacesforprofessionalinteractionssuchas fieldresearchand photography.

The firststepisimprovingtheconditionofthewater.Thesecondstepisphysically reconstructingtheecosystem,inthesensewhereyoustudytheexistingecology,and improvethatandmoveontointroducemorekindsofspeciestothesite.Thethirdstepis tostartdevelopingthelandscapeforhumanuse,suchasintroducingcirculationsystems, wayfindingelementsandrecreationalnodes,wheretheuserswillbeengagingwiththe architectural interventions.

PROJECT BRIEF | SPATIAL BRIEF

Please refer Annexure 7 pg 44 for the Detailed SpatialBrief.

PROJECT FEASIBILITY

SOCIO-CULTURAL

● The programme is a re-design of the proposed linearpark project, of which, the socio-cultural benefitsare already recognized

● The intervention shall change the apparent backyardof the city into the front yard of the city

● Provides a space for social interactions and convergenceof many cultures and walks of life

● Knowledge transfer through Citizen Science programmesand links between school curriculums and CUrE research collections.

● Enhances the heritage value of the area, which wouldbenefit the tourism, trade and travel industries

● Creates desirable real estate in the heart of thecity.

● Adopting Ecological Infrastructure instead of conventionalgrey solutions will help restore and enhance thenatural biological and ecological conditions

ENVIRONMENTAL

ECONOMIC

● All interventions shall be carried out by studyingthe existing natural conditions and implementingnative solutions, thus reducing the risk of failure

● The intervention area to become a natural breathingspace in the heart of the city

● The use of natural light and ventilation will minimizethe energy consumption of the building

● Introduction of programmes that will help change attitudesof the public on Urban Ecological Matters

● As part of the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project,the funding shall be provided by the World Bank

● Due to the socio-cultural and environmental benefits,there shall be a higher demand for the surroundinglands, thus increasing land value.

● Beneficial to tourism, trade and travel industries

● Revenue from the cultural activities (Photographicdestinations, Art exhibitions, Rentable virtual exhibits)

● Revenue from the research activities (Research Grants)

● The state and the local authorities represent thecitizens and are not profit-based institutions

● The socio-cultural and environmental benefits canbe enjoyed over a long period of time and will contributeto the financial resilience of the city in the long run.

DESIGN | MASTERPLAN

Mix

Embrace density, diversity, and mix of uses, users, building types, and public spaces

Preserve Ecology

The most prominent ecological resource, the water body, needs to be reanimated from its current lifeless state

Connectivity

Spaces need to be introduced that will connect people of dierent communities and cultures

Walkability

Increase walkability of streets and design neighbourhoods to human scale. Lakefront trail to integrate ecological and historical components

Leisure

Introduce leisure activities around the lake, including cycling, bird watching, picnicking

Transit supportive

Transit should be encouraged as the most sustainable mode of transportation, by shifting from car-oriented urban patterns

Complete Communities

Provide the needs of daily living, within walking distance (a 500 m radius) for residential zones

Engagement

Introduce programmes that enlighten and engage the community

Masterplan of Intervention Area

DESIGN | RESTORATIVE ARCHITECTURE

RestorativeDesign isthetypeofarchitecturethatwillrestoreyou,mind,bodyandspirit.ThisDesignThesisexploresthetypeof architecture that will restore its users by connectingthem to their senses through connecting with nature.

SITE

MATERIALS

● Gently touching the existing structure

● Celebrating the joint

● Design the facility to be an exhibit that serves asa public educational model

● Experience the building as an extension of the landscape

● Using resources eectively and e footprint

● Design a facility for low maintenance and prioritizematerials selected for durability

● When feasible, use materials that are made of renewablematerials of recycled content, durable, and with a low life-cycle cost.

● Orient spaces to optimize the use of passive solarenergy, natural daylighting, and natural breezes and ventilation, and allow views tothe outdoors from all occupied spaces.

LAND, AIR & WATER

ECOSYSTEMS

● Conserve water through rainwater collection, reclamationof gray water, and low-flow fixtures.

● Use and sculpt the site creatively to protect thefacilities from wind and rain

● Limit the use of impervious surfaces to optimize groundwaterrecharge.

● Create vibrant, low-maintenance landscaping with nativeplants

● Protect and restore the biodiversity of the naturalfeatures of the site and surrounding open space.

● Educate about the interconnected relationship betweena healthy and restored environment and improved quality of life for residents.

● Use design to evoke the natural environment, connectingus to the lake

● Reduce night-time light pollution by avoiding over-illuminationof the site

DESIGN

DESIGN

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United Nations. (2018, May 16). 68%oftheworldpopulationprojectedtoliveinurbanareasby2050, saysUN|UNDESA|UnitedNationsDepartmentofEconomicandSocialAairs https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/2018-revision-of-world-urban ization-prospects.html

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Weerasinghe, V. P. A., & Handapangoda, K. (2019).Surface water quality analysis of an urban lake; East Beira, Colombo, Sri Lanka. EnvironmentalNanotechnology,Monitoring&Management , 12 100249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enmm.2019.100249

Wijesundara, D. S. A. (2007). Botanic Gardens in SriLanka; past, present and future. 3rdGlobalBotanic GardensCongress 6.

Yu, K., Li, H., & Li, D. (2008). Ecological Infrastructureas a Tool for Smart Preservation and Smart Growth：The Negative Approach. 44thISOCARPCongress,14.

Yu, K., & Padua, M. G. (2006). TheArtofSurvival:RedicoveringLandscape . The Images Publishing Group Pvt Lt.

ANNEXURE 3 | PHYSICAL CONTEXT

Elevationfromsealevelvariesfrom2.5m meansealevel(MSL)and12mMSL.The generaltopographyoftheprojectarea largelyconsistsof flatorverymildly sloping(<1.2%)low-lyingterrainwith slopesinseawarddirectionwhilethe contourlinesarealignedapproximately paralleltotheshoreline(MetroColombo Urban Development Project, 2011).

Thesedimentologyofthecityof Colomboisthatofawetlandsystem thathasbeendevelopedaroundBeira Lakeanditscanalsystemoveralong periodoftime.Dataonboreholes gatheredalongVauxhallStreetwith dierentlayersofsoilindicatethis periodicdepositionpatternofthe wetland system(Katupotha, 2015).

The surface: filled dark brown laterite stratum, 0.4m thickness

Poorly graded fine to medium whitish sand layers from 0.4m to 6.0m deep

Dierent layers of clay, medium sand and clay fine sand extend up to 17.0m

Thelocalgeologyinthesiteis characterizedbyalluviumandorganic clays,whilethesoiltypesincludepeat and peaty clay(Greentech, 2011).

Weathered rock was located from 17.0m to deep

Contour Map

Whenconsideringthewatercondition, themainsourceofpollutionofBeira Lakeisthedirectconnectionsof stormwaterandwastewaterinletstothe lake(MetroColomboUrban Development Project, 2011).

Beira Lake Inlet Map

Duetoitslow flushingrate,nutrients remained,leadingtoeutrophy,whichisa conditionofwaterwhereitisrichin mineralandorganicnutrientsthat promotethegrowthofalgaeand aquaticplants,resultinginareductionof dissolved oxygen(Greentech, 2011).

ThelatestdataonBeiraLakewater indicatesgenerallyfavourableconditions for aquatic life.

ThedegradationofBeiraLakestarted backintheearly1900’sbecauseof increasing waste discharged into it.

Physico Chemical Parameters of Beira Lake(Technical Report , 2016)

ThelakeshowsaveryalkalinepHoverthewholewater column.However,thepHbecomesmoreneutralfrom thetoptothebottomofthewatercolumn,from10to8, whichprovidessuitableconditionsforaquaticlife.The waterincanalsismostlyacidic,however,thepHofthe lakeneverbecomeslessthan7.Conductivityremains stablebetween250and300㎲/cm,avaluethatallows aquaticlife.Temperaturerangesbetween29.3to35.4℃ whereAugustisthewarmestmonth(TechnicalReport , 2016)

BeiraLakeisartificiallykeptat+1.8m aboveMSLbymeansofpumpsinstalled atBeiraLocksthatareoperatedbythe SLPA,andaspillwayatGalleFaceLake. Asaconsequence,BeiraLake’s flood dischargefunctionisonlyoperationalat waterlevelsexceeding+1.8mMSL. However,thankstotheadequatecanal anddrainagesystemsatpresent,and alsobecausetheterrainis flatinmost areas,withmildslopes,thereareno historicalrecordsofpast flooding availableforthestudyarea(Metro ColomboUrbanDevelopmentProject, 2011).

depth Map of May 2016 ( Flood Hazard Assessment & Hydraulic Modelling; deltares, adpc & cecb, 2017)

The temperature in Colombo varies so little throughout the year, maintaining a hot humid climate significant in tropical countries.

On the cloudiest day of the year, the sky is overcast at 88% cloud cover, and on clear days, at 12%. The predominant average wind direction is from South -west direction, but that varies throughout the year.

The average water temperature experiences some seasonal variation over the course of the year, with August being the warmest at 31 degrees celsius.

When considering precipitation, a wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation. The chance of wet days in Colombo varies very significantly throughout the year. The wetter season is from April to December.

The perceived humidity level in the area does not vary significantly over the course of the year, staying within 93% of 97% throughout.

This area experiences extreme seasonal variation in monthly rainfall. Rain falls throughout the year in Colombo, with most rain falls around November and the least rain falls around February.

Flood

ANNEXURE 4 | BIOLOGICAL CONTEXT

BIRDS

Bird Populations observed around Beira Lake(NARA,1985)

Occasional Visitors

● Pelican

● Egrets

● Common Kingfisher

● Pied Kingfisher

● White Breasted Kingfisher

● Brahminy Kite

● Little Tern

● Common Babbler

Permanent Bird Populations

● Indian Shag

● Darter

● Little Cormorant

● Night Heron

● Pond Heron

● Little Grebe

● Pigeon

Migratory Birds

● Whiskered Tern

● Brown Headed Gull

● Pariah Kite

(NARA, 1985)

List of Species recorded from Beira Lake and shoreline in 1985

● House Crow

● Pond Heron

● Domestic Pigeon

● Little Cormorant

● White Breasted Kingfisher

● Whiskered Tern

● Brahminy Kite

● Spotted Billed Pelican

● Night Heron

● Common Kingfisher

● Egrets

● Pied Kingfisher

● Little Tern

● Common Babbler

● Indian Shag

● Darter

● Little Grebe

● Brown headed Gull

● Pariah Kite

(De Silva, 2003)

FISH TREES

In 1954, twelve species of fish were reported from Beira Lake. However, by 1993, only seven species remained, of which the dominant one was “Nile Tilapia”. Occasional severe reductions of oxygen levels and/or increase of ammonia concentration may partly be the cause of the periodic fish kills observed in Beira Lake(De Silva, 2003).

● Tilapia (introduced in 1952)

● Koraliya (Seasonal)

● Lula (seasonal)

(NARA, 1985)

Onlyonsomepartsofthelakebankcanvegetationandtreecoverbefound,asmostof thelakebankiscoveredwithcommercialestablishments,humansettlementsand institutions.Eventhoughastudy(Jayawardene,2011)mentionsthatthemostabundant treespeciesaroundBeiraLakeincludesFicusreligiosa(Bo)andFicusbenghalensis (Banyan),atpresenttherearerarelyanybunyantreestobeseen,astheyhavebeencut o duetothedangerstheypresenttothebuildings.EventhoughBotreespresentsimilar dangers, due to religious reasons, all of them havebeen preserved.

● Coconut (Pol)

● Umbrella tree (Kottamba/ Kottan)

● Gliricidia (Weta Mara)

● River Tamarind (Ipil Ipil)

● Neem (Kohomba)

● Fern Leaf tree (Pihimbiya)

● Frangipani tree (Araliya)

● Banana tree

● Papaya tree

● Bo tree

● Hibiscus tree

● Siris tree (Mai Mara)

● White Gigantic swallow wort (Wara)

● Lantana (Gandapana)

(Metro Colombo Urban Development Project, 2011)

Historical Locations around Beira Lake

1 - McCallum Lock Gates

2 - Fort Railway Station 3 - C. W. Mackie Building

4 - St. Joseph’s College 5 - Hotel Nippon 6 - Rio Cinema 7 - Colombo Rowing Club

MCCALLUM LOCK GATES

TheMcCallumLockGatecomprisesabridgeoverasetoflock gatesconnectingEastBeiraLakeandtheColomboharbour.It wasbuiltaroundtheyear1951bytheColomboPublicWorks Departmenttofacilitatebargetracbetweenshipsdockedin theharbourandportsontheKelaniRiver(MetroColomboUrban Development Project, 2011).

KEW GARDENS

SlaveIslandwasoncethesiteoftheRoyalBotanicalGardens, a.k.a.“KewGardens”,whichwasestablishedin1810,notverylong aftertheBritishhadtakenoverColombo.Itwasestablished undertheguidanceofSirJosephBanks-theDirectorofKew Gardens,London.However,thespacewasn'tenoughto fittheir demands,thusthegardenwasmovedtoUggalboda,anarea nearKalutarain1813.Astimepassedtheyrealisedtheyrequired amildandcoolclimatetogrowexoticplantsimportedfrom othercolonialcountries,andnotlongafter,in1821,thegarden moved to Peradeniya(Ratnayake, 2013; Wijesundara,2007).

The operations system is still preserved today

The status of the original Lock Gates

Prince Soltyko the Russian traveler, describedColombo as one vast botanic garden (Hussain, 2017)

1.0

Water

Quality Improvements

1.1 Inlet Management

Regulating the existing inlets into Beira lake

1.2 Constructed/ floating wetlands

Purification of contaminated water coming from inlets

1.3 Sediment Dredging

Dredging the lakebed to remove inorganic impurities

1.1.1 Identification and removal of illegal inletsand wastewater inlets.

1.1.2 Application of geotextiles to filter stormwater

1.1.3 Introduction of Trash Traps at the end of Stormwater inlets to remove Urban Litter

1.2.1 Having constructed wetlands and/or floating wetlands at upper parts of inlets to treat the water

1.2.2 Inclusion of Bioremediation plants to absorb heavy metals

1.3.1 Reclamation

1.3.2 Excavation

1.3.3 Increasing the water depth

1.3.4 Wildlife Preservation and ecosystem maintenance

1.3.5 Shore Replenishment

1.4 Chemical Water Treatment

Treatment of contaminated water to stabilize the PH level and remove algae

1.5 Aeration of lake water

To increase the Oxygen content of the water

Chemical water treatment will be only necessary if all the passive methods prove not to work or in case of sudden algae bloom that threatens the ecosystem.

1.5.1 Water-Fall aerators

1.5.2 Air diusion aerators

2.0 Eco System Reconstruction

2.1 Remodeling of the Lake shoreline

2.2 Living Edge Design

Creating favourable conditions for habitats to grow

2.1.1 Excavation and backfilling of the lake’s hard edges as required to reduce the compactness of the soil

2.1.2 Repairing of failing slopes

2.1.3 Creation of wetland fringe along the edge

2.1.4 Creation of lakeside park spaces

2.2.1 Introducing plant species to create comfortable microclimates

2.2.2 Introducing suitable plant species to attract fauna

2.3 Introduction of Species-Specific Features

Building habitat-specific for species

3.0 Landscape Development

3.1 Circulation systems

Creating a hierarchy of circulation

Creating Habitats for Pollinators

3.2 Wayfinding elements and Recreational Nodes

3.1.1 Continuous pedestrian trail along the lake edge

3.1.2 Multiple Jogging trails with entrances and exits

3.1.3 Cycling Paths with entrances and exits

3.1.4 Designated accessways to the lake

3.2.1 Provide destinations along the trail

3.2.2 Provide safe lighting where needed

ANNEXURE 7 | SPATIAL BRIEF

Storage

animals under semi

transfer and study of culture

grow and maintain microbiological or cell cultures

stock solutions/isolates/

store chemicals

Sub-Programme

Storage Soil Racks

To store the soil samples

Chemical Storage To store chemicals

General Storage To store instruments/glassware

Drying Oven

Grinder

To remove moisture from the soil and dry the samples as quickly as possible

To get an even distribution of soil particles

Worktops

CUrE Research

maintain high temperatures Magnetic Stirrer with Hotplate To stir while heating

Worktops

Drying Oven To dry the samples

Drying Oven

Dimensions (L x W x H)

720 x 620 x 1030 mm

Dimension(L x