Beira Lake Development Project:
Creating public space for a better lifestyle :
Vibrant public space with waterfronts in cities has a host of benefits to the country in enhancing the quality of life of citizens, attracting visitors and creating space for businesses to thrive, if urban cities are to make a contribution to the country’s economic growth, Urban Development Authority (UDA) Chairman Dr. Jagath Munasinghe believes.
He said on the contrary city congestion leads to chaos resulting in low productivity and sluggish growth in the country.
In an interview with the Sunday Observer Dr. Munasinghe said the UDA has conceptualized and assisted in implementing development projects in the city focusing on the prime objective of creating public space for a better lifestyle and improving city planning. The Beira Lake Development Project is one such major development initiatives under the McCallum Development plan of the UDA.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: What is the projects nature and benefits?
A: The McCallum development is an integrated part of the Beira Lake development project which was initiated as early as the year 2000 and partially implemented by the UDA with support of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), the Irrigation Department, Sri Lanka Navy, State Engineering Corporation and the Colombo Municipal Council. The Metro Colombo Drainage Improvement Project that was initiated in 2010 by the then Ministry of Defence integrated the Beira Project into it. Presently the project comes directly under the Unit established by the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development. The Metro Colombo Drainage Improvement Project has been supported throughout by the World Bank and partially funded by the Government. The ongoing developments for public spaces are mostly funded by the Treasury.
The McCallum Road (North Bank of the East Beira) could be identified as the third consecutive phase of the overall project which commenced in 2014. Under this phase the lake banks which were built up to the edge and closed have been opened to the public realm of the city of Colombo. The stretch from McCallums Gate at Colombo Fort to Ibbanwala Junction (where Ministry of Mahaweli Development tower is) is now open to the public with a long pedestrian walkway by the side of the water body that stretches nearly two kilometers. The walkway is complemented with restaurants, pubs, public spaces operated by private parties along the bank. The SLPA will open a restaurant at the McCallum Gate.
The next phase of the development project is to extend the public realm in the South Bank - from Ibbanwala Junction, parallel to Vauxhall Street and Kompanna Veediya up to Regal Cinema Junction. Work on this section has already commenced and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. Once this phase is complete the entire Beira Lake Banks will be open to public.
UDA does not intend to acquire private or other institutions lands. Instead, it will provide a Development Guide Plan (DGP), which is being finalized now, to the individual land owners and the developers, to which they need to adhere, to maintain the overall character of the setting. The DGP will specify the heights, setbacks, architectural controls, permeability, and public access that the developments will have to follow when they are in place.
Q: What are the other projects undertaken by the UDA?
A: The Beira Lake Development project conceptualized by the UDA is a segment of the conglomerate of development projects in and around McCallum Road. In another, the UDA has been implementing the Urban Regeneration Project (URPCC) which resettles the families presently dwelling in under served settlements. There are nearly 1,000 families in the banks of Beira, who are almost floating in water. In that front this project therefore, is coupled with the URPCC project as well.
Further, the Regeneration of the Colombo Fort Area with a Multi-Modal Transport Facility integrating Rail, Bus, Light Rail (Proposed) and taxis is another project that the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development has embarked on in collaboration with the UDA. The Beira Lake Development, mainly with its developments in the McCallum Road will complement the project with the attractive waterfront, public utilities and the other activities.
Similar projects have been initiated in Kotte-Sri Jayawardenepura around Diyawanna Lake, in Kandy, Anuradhapura Sacred city, Galle Heritage City, Kurunegla and Jaffna. More projects of this nature will be launched in all major urban areas.
The UDA has already commenced a Network of Public Walkways within the city of Colombo. They include connecting all major pedestrian destinations such as the Fort, Maradana and Slave Island Railway Stations, Pettah Bus Stand, National Hospital, Major Nodes of the City with offices, Schools, Markets, etc.
On completion of this network, one could reach from any of these destinations from any other walking safely and under shade, enjoying other facilities on their way. The public spaces along Beira are integrated with that network. That will open up some of the underpasses in Colombo Fort which have been there, but obstructed and not known to many for a long time.
Q: What benefits do you envisage would bring to the country through these projects?
A: A city thrives with public space. Vibrant public spaces, especially waterfronts are important for a country to develop.It helps improve the quality of life of the citizens, city dwellers and the commuters. If not they would be clamped in concrete masses and traffic blocks. There is always a pleasant feeling people could enjoy when they are exposed beautiful open public space. Open public space provides a great sense of relief especially when one comes out of the office or densely populated area.
This contributes to the physical and psychological health of the citizens.Colombo is being intensely developed and the residential and office space density is rapidly growing. In such a context, there is an urgent need for open spaces with public activities. Waterfronts are ideal for such developments.Public space attract visitors if they are built and associated with appropriate mix of activities, proper measures for safety and with the ambiance to relax. Many popular tourist destinations, vibrant cities that attract people for business, holidays and leisure have public realms which contribute to the city by means of improving tourism, creating new business opportunities, employment and generate income to the city.
Beira Lake banks are less regarded by the city residents but with space there would be enormous potential for multiple opportunities in Colombo. Cities with attractive spaces appeal to businesses. It is important to project the image of the city, which in turn would contribute to the economy of the city and the country. The Beira development project will reveal a positive image of Colombo to the world and help attract global business organizations to consider the city as a location for their offices. The land along the canal banks will be in demand.
These canal banks have been ground for waste and effluents occupied by undeserved settlements, habitats for many underground activities, breeding grounds for mosquitoes, epidemics, and many more. These nefarious activities will cease when open space is created. 