Influence of Locational Characteristics on the Sustainability of Underserved Settlements in Jaffna Municipality and its Urban Fringe

In developing countries, ineffective land-use planning and unplanned development have spread underserved settlements, particularly in Sri Lanka. These settlements have grown to be an important supplement to cities' insufficient formal housing supply, and they spontaneously formed spatial patterns that significantly impact sustainability. This study examines the locational characteristics of underserved settlements and their influence on their sustainability in the Jaffna Municipal area and its urban fringe. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey with 341 underserved settlements using a stratified random sampling technique; focus group discussions with representatives of community-based organizations and ground-level officers; interviews with administrative officers of government institutions, local authorities, academics, and social activists, while secondary data were obtained from Google Earth and government departments. The collected data were analyzed using spatial, descriptive statistics, and qualitative methods. SPSS statistical software was used to analyze the data collected via a questionnaire survey, and ArcGIS 10.4 mapping software was used to create maps. According to the results, underserved settlements' locational characteristics, specifically their location in flood-inundation areas, land reservations, and irregular road networks with poor accessibility, weaken the development potential and negatively impact the sustainability of underserved settlements as well as the urban environment. On the other hand, the current location is crucial for the livelihoods of the underserved settlements. As a result, this study emphasizes the importance of aligning underserved settlements with spatial development and sustainable development goals to reduce problems in underserved settlements and establish cities without underserved areas. Accordingly, this study is expected to be useful for developers, urban planners, and policymakers in prioritizing housing programs and livelihood asset development activities to control the emergence and growth of underserved settlements and minimize existing problems.                                       KEYWORDS: Underserved settlements, Locational characteristics, Influence, Sustainability, Jaffna Municipality, Urban fring

Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Coastal Landscape Changes in Unawatuna Coastal Zone, Sri Lanka

Coastal landscape changes are an ultimate result of natural factors, population growth and different anthropogenic factors including tourism. Changes in coastal landscape directly influence on the socio-economic, cultural and environment facets at global, regional and local scales. However, unplanned tourism industry highlighted as a main cause for coastal landscape changes. Understanding and quantifying the spatial and temporal dynamics of coastal landscape changes and its driving factors is essential to put forward the right policies and monitoring mechanisms on coastal growth for decision making. Thus, the objectives of this study were to i) analyse the impact of anthropogenic activities on changing coastal landscape in Unawatuna Coastal zone and ii) identify the temporal changes of coastal landscape and it’s in turn effects. The study was conducted in two (02) Grama Nidhari Divisions viz. Unawatuna Central and Yaddehimulla selecting 60 (10%) households out of 600 total households using random sampling method. Questioner surveys, target group discussions and field observations were used as methods of primary data collection. The magnitude of affected geomorphologic features and ecosystems were identified through the analysis of satellite images while changes of coastal landscape in the area were analysed by ArcView GIS. The study found that there was an increased expansion of built up areas in the last 61 years by reducing the coastal vegetation. Some erosion processes and coastal protection methods also highlighted as a driving factors to change coastal landscape. Considering all the observed and analysed data it could be identified that   the area has now become the maximum development stage as a tourist area with 52% out of all anthropogenic activities in the area. Further, the study ascertained that within a short period of time from 2002 to 2017, the natural vegetation cover of the shore has been abated and the tendency of build-up areas has been increased. Anthropogenic activities carried out by inhabitants, tourism business people and Department of Coastal Conservation within coastal areas has changed the coastal landscape and which in result to increase the process of coastal erosion. Finally the study concludes that the need of increasing the awareness of all the stakeholders act as driving forces on negative impacts of changing coastal landscape and the importance of preserving the environment.KEYWORDS: Coastal Landscape Change, Unawatuna, Erosion, Tourism, Anthropogeni

An analysis of factors influencing for productivity of rubber smallholdings: A case study in Moneragala District of Sri Lanka

Rubber farming, being a new initiative in Moneragala District in Sri Lanka, plays a key role in national rubber production but still lags far behind in potential. This study was carried out to find the factors which determine the Productivity of Rubber Smallholdings (PRSs) and to find out the strategies for enhancement. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 2019, using stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation analysis were employed in the methodology. The average PRSs is 905 kg/ha/year on dry rubber basis, which is far below in potential to the average of 2500 kg/ha/year. The majority of rubber smallholdings are in the category of low rubber productivity. Key socio-economic factors; gender, age, level of education, experience of rubber farming, membership of the Thurusaviya rubber society, age of the trees and type of clone did not affect to the PRSs, while fulltime rubber smallholders showed a positive relationship. The number of tapped trees in the land, number of tapping days per year and practice of self-tapping system positively correlated with PRSs while extent of rubber holdings was negatively correlated. The participation in training programmes, instructions given by experienced rubber smallholders and by extension personnel and utilization of CDs and leaflets on tapping and manuaring were positively correlated with PRSs. The adoption level of manuaring and tapping practices in rubber smallholdings affected the PRSs. It is also evident that effective strategic extension plans which include formulating appropriate policy measures, especially focusing on utilization of extension communication channels and mass media, development of rubber smallholdings and adoption of manuaring and tapping practices of rubber farming would eventually improve PRSs for the future for the improvement in performance of rubber farming in Moneragala District.        KEYWORDS:     Moneragala, Productivity, Rubber, Smallholdings, Adoption &nbsp

Community perception on the urban sprawl towards rural hinterland in Wattala-Mabole UC area in Gampaha district, Sri Lanka

Urban sprawl is one of the current popular topics around the world. Due to rapid urbanization without adequate planning or management, Sri Lanka experiences problems and challenges similar to many other developing nations. This study aims to investigate the public perception on the urban sprawl towards rural hinterland from economic, environmental, and social perspectives. In this study, 20 in-depth interviews and a questionnaire survey with 120 participants were carried out to investigate community perception of urban sprawl in the Wattala-Mabole UC area and its surrounding 14 Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions. Following a purposive sampling technique, one person was selected from each of the twenty GN divisions for the in-depth interview. For the questionnaire survey, sampling was done following a 1: 1000 population ratio. Therefore, 120 participants were randomly selected for the questionnaire survey. According to the public perception, the majority (53%) of respondents were not fully aware of the negative effects of urban sprawl, which may increase their vulnerability and precautions towards the impacts of urban sprawl. The majority (63%) lived on a low income and were exposed to urban poverty with the increased value of goods and accommodation. Participants' experience and exposure to the impacts of the urban sprawl varied based on their age, residential period, level of income they earn, and the type of their job. Dwellers’ perceptions were recorded and classified under social, environmental, and economic impact factors. Participants from both urbanized and adjacent regions expressed the belief that the urban sprawl brings economic benefits whilst creating a negative effect on their environment. Elderly participants regretted and missed the old calm rural environment before the urbanization but, the youngsters preferred urbanization since it provides economic benefits. Adjacent areas mostly face environmental effects while the urban areas are affected by social problems. On the whole, the findings of the study suggest that an appropriate policy framework and specific programs can enhance the dwellers' perception regarding the effects of urban sprawl. Proper urban planning could improve the design, acknowledgment and development of more sustainable urban expansion, thereby contributing to a less negative impact on the rural hinterland of developing countries. KEYWORDS: Public perception, rural hinterland, urban sprawl, UC area, Wattal

Influence of crop profitability, market, labour and land on smallholder cropping systems in rubber growing areas of Sri Lanka

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