Raveendran Selvarajah

This research aims to develop a framework to guide the design of Jaffna Town’s urban form, ensuring it aligns with the principles of sustainable development. Jaffna, a medium-sized city in northern Sri Lanka, has undergone significant transformation over the past few decades. However, this growth has resulted in negative social, economic, and environmental consequences (UN-Habitat, 2018). Many of these issues can be attributed to the city's physical form and spatial organization (Mathurika, 2016).

Jaffna Town is expanding rapidly at an annual growth rate of 3%, with much of this development occurring beyond the city’s official boundaries in the form of urban sprawl. This unregulated expansion has led to the loss of farmlands, wetlands, and water bodies (Branga, 2016). More than two-thirds of the city's land is designated for low-density residential development, lacking essential infrastructure, open spaces, and recreational facilities (Urban Development Authority, 2021). Furthermore, outdated land-use zoning has resulted in a rigid separation of activities, increasing the need for commuting (UN-Habitat, 2018). Basic services and infrastructure remain inadequate both within and beyond the city limits (World Bank, 2016).

Social inequality is another critical concern. Marginalized communities, particularly low-income groups, often reside in flood-prone areas, making them vulnerable to environmental hazards (Janany, 2015; Piratheeparajah & Raveendran, 2014). Many parts of the city suffer from poor quality of life and limited access to essential services (Janany, 2015). The street network is car-centric, lacking infrastructure for walking and cycling (World Bank, 2019b). Public transport is neither convenient nor well-integrated across different modes of travel, further exacerbating mobility challenges (World Bank, 2019b). As a result, Jaffna Town is neither people-friendly nor environmentally sustainable (Tharshini, 2018).

Despite these pressing challenges, no prior research has explored Jaffna’s urban form from a sustainability perspective. This study seeks to fill that gap by assessing the existing urban form and the key factors shaping it. The analysis will utilize land-use data, satellite imagery, cadastral records, and field surveys. The contribution of Jaffna’s urban form to sustainability will be evaluated through a matrix of sustainable urban design concepts derived from literature.

Based on a thematic analysis of multidisciplinary research in urban form, urban planning, environmental planning, and sustainable development, this study will develop a planning framework for sustainable urban form in Jaffna. The proposed framework will aim to:

• Conserve ecological resources and maintain environmental quality,
• Enhance resource efficiency,
• Promote inter- and intra-generational equity and quality of life,
• Facilitate environmentally friendly and energy-efficient transportation, and
• Harness solar energy for sustainable urban development.

This framework will provide a strategic foundation for guiding Jaffna’s urban growth toward sustainability. Additionally, it may serve as a model for other urban areas in the region facing similar challenges.

Names of Supervisors:

• Dr. Dumiso Moyo
• Dr. Vincent Onyango