THEORETICAL APPLICATION OF THE PHSGCS TO DARMAPALA PARK IN GALLE CITY.

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1 THEORETICAL APPLICATION OF THE PHSGCS TO DARMAPALA PARK IN GALLE CITY. Prior to applying the framework on real ground in order to asses its compatibility in parks of Sri Lanka, it is advisable to compare and contrast the conditions of the park in concern against the concept on the theoretical basis. This will be followed by the case study carried out within the park to asses the level of conformity among conditions of park and concept. The framework is explained in detail in the previous section. The theoretical application of the framework follows. Criteria 1 BENEFICIAL TO ITS STAKEHOLDERS. One key benefit that stem due to the existence of a green space is the value it adds to the neighboring real estate. The effect is prominent when neighboring real estates are readily marketable in the real estate market. This is 100% valid to private properties. (Residential units and commercial units). Darmapala park is surrounded by government bodies such as Municipal Council, Divisional Secretarial Office, Town Hall, transport hubs and prison, this deprive the free market conditions associated with neighboring real estate. Still the notional value of land per perch is around Rs 900,000 to 1.2million Apart from the added value to real estate, many make a living out of park by providing services to the users of park. Criteria 2 PRIVACY Darmapala Park is not in any sense an open bare land. The place is enriched with lust greenery making it opaque to the external world. Within the park it self, difference levels of ground heights can be seen, hence isolating such sections from the rest. The coordinated use of different bush types has achieved the same results. xxv

2 Figure 4 (Ground level differences & bush fences creates sense of privacy) Criteria 3 THRESHOLD. Galle is the main service center for its hinterland. As per the results of the local group project carried out by 2003/2007 TCP students of Department Of Town & Country Planning, people from areas as far as Elpitiya, Baddegama, Akuressa, Udugama and Koggala visit the city of Galle on a regular basis for their service requirements. The most prominent reason is for education purposes. Other than that health, administrative and commercial needs also acts as attractions. A certain portion out of this arrivals make regular visits to the park, accordingly the threshold requirement is achieved. Figure 5 (Regular visitors to the park sustain the park in long run) xxvi

3 Criteria 4 COMMUNITY PURPOSE AND IDENTITY Galle is famous around the world as tourism and cultural city. The existence of world heritages such as Galle Dutch Fort, Bona Vista sanctuary has made it a tourism hot spot. Also the near by two tourism centers, Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna has strengthen the image of Galle as a tourism city. This community identity is compatible with the green spaces. Figure 6 (Dutch Fort, A world heritage in city of Galle) Criteria 5 QUALITY OF NEIGHBORHOOD S LIFE STYLE According to the concept, well kept, maintained parks reflects a community with a healthy quality of life, while neglected trashed spaces reveals the despair of a struggling neighborhood. The nature of the criteria makes it difficult to test. However, Galle being the capital of the southern province, one can expect its community to lead healthier life style. Criteria 6 MAINTENANCE PAYS. Darmapala Park is located within the heart of the city nest to Municipal council. Also there is a separate dedicated staff to look after the matters of park. Park is cleaned twice a day on a regular basis. In the recent past, a erroneous decision taken by MC turned a part of the park into a solid waste disposal yard. Users of the park immediately rejected that side of the park. Situation has being rectified by now and the park is functioning as normal. xxvii

4 Figure 7(Major reconstruction scheme is underway in park) Criteria 7 PARK S RELATION TO ITS NEIGHBORHOOD The park is surrounded by many key features of the city. Therefore the interaction among those is imminent. Some of the key facilities include; Figure 8: Relative location of Park 1. International cricket stadium 2. Beach park (being developed) 3. Dutch fort 4. Samanala Ground 5. Railway station 6. Divisional secretariat office 7. Town Hall and Municipal council 8. Darmapala park 9. Renovated bus stand xxviii

5 Criteria 8 INTEGRATION OF PARK WITH OTHER R ECREATION FACILITIES Darmapala Park exists as a part of networked recreational facilities. It has direct connections to Dutch Fort, Samanala Ground, International Cricket Stadium and the beach. It provides the user with variation and variety of choice. Criteria 9 ACCESS The manner in which the park is located gives it the maximum access possible. Figure 9 (Direct access to the heart of the city) Criteria 10 TWO WORLDS Darmapala Park is the only remaining green patch within the city limit which is easily accessible. The park comprises many varieties of trees, plants. The design of the park is also conducive. A very distinctive feature of the park is the collection of fauna find within the park and this Park is the home for two (2) deer s and several rabbits. No one expect to find a deer and a rabbit in a urban park. All these factors contributes to make the park atmosphere distinctively pleasurable than the hush and buzz of the city. xxix

6 Figure 10 (This vast difference is only 50m apart) Criteria 11 ROBUSTNESS The open theater within park is the stage used by many performing artist on a regular basis. On days of importance, such as poya days, May Day, National Day, Park becomes a venue for related activities making the place an interesting place through out the year. Criteria 12 Applicability Figure 11(The open air theater within the park under re construction) SCALE MATTERS The park is spacious enough to provide the user with a relaxing mindset. Spaciousness is amplified due to the fact that park have no physical boundaries other than in the front side. These projects a higher scale than it really is. Mean time, it has avoided the negative features of a vast park. applicable In summary the theoretical application of the concept on local context proved substantial conformance with all criterions yielding positive results xxx

7 Concluding remark In this section the selected frame work was applied to the designated park to evaluate its compatibility with the conditions of the park. on theoretical basis, park demonstrated substantial conformance to the PHSGCS framework xxxi