Chapter04 Evolution of Urban Form in Fort Area of Colombo 4.1 Introduction
CHAPTER04 EVOLUTION OF URBAN FORM IN FORT AREA OF COLOMBO 4.1 INTRODUCTION
The development of "Kolontota" as a major city of the island took place, due to its location by the side of Kelani Ganga estuary and fertile surrounding land mass. Various merchandise produce in the surrounding fertile lands were transported to "Kolontota" through the Kelani River, strategically located in the navigational route of international sea. Further, the location of capital of Kotte kingdom in close proximity to Kolontota contributed to the development of "Colombo". The Conducive locational situation, helped the invaders such as; Portuguese, Dutch and British to set their feet in Colombo Fort area.
Colombo is locate~ in the west coast of . Sri Lanka (App~IJ:~ - A). It is a
-- J commercial capital of the country. It has ~one many changes within the last - ···t.· . - four and half centuries at different p~ri- -in its ui-ban history. Each of the administrative period was examined to find out the extent of which the socio - cultural, political and economic forces have affected the growth and process of the city in the chronological order. For this purpose of study, the following period in the history in taken into consideration.
~ Pre-colonial period (before 1505)
~ Portuguese period (1505 -1656)
~ Dutch period (1656 -1796)
~ British period (1796 -1948)
~ Post Independence period (1948- 1977)
~ Present period (after 1977)
•. 15 91 . • 4.2 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (BEFORE 1505)
During the pre -colonial period, of Sri Lanka the river estuaries and lagoons were mainly occupied by the community of fisherman. By this time Mohammedan traders who had arrived from the grate mart at Ormuz, Marwaris, Bengalis and Burmans and Malabara and settled down along the coastal belt and kept strong relationship with the King of Kotte ,and obtained permission to erect the sea port (Broheir L. R. 1984). They transported goods through the Kelani river which is situated closer to Colombo sea port. where they erected store houses (Hulugalle .H.A.J., 1963). All the goods transported through Kelani Ganga was stored at these place call "Bangasala" . The ware houses were basically built for the purpose of storing the cinnamon of king . It was sold by the king's officials. It was sold by the king's officials. It was found that the trading activities with the other countries in the world were conducted., exporting various products of Ceylon. Shipment to . ~ Europe, from all parts of the east from ~Persia, India and Moluccas were laden with the product of Ceylon Tenne_~t2;J.E,1977). -All these evidences of activities proved that the area of the bay ·t£ a busy place at that time. This conducive situation was created for the settlement to settle down in this area. (Figure: 4.2)
•. 17 FORT AREA IN PRE-COLONIAL N
Pre- Colonial Period PERIOD (BEFORE 1505)
t1:10, 000
Mosque
~.~~.{:Q ""·"·"<;'{!·-:·.·.··.·.;.;.:l Fovath ~ Water Body \ \' Coconut , .,. Grows ' ··· Figure 4.2 :Fort Area in Portuguese period Source; Author's constructions based on .. ! 1. Hulugalle H.A.J, Centenary Volume, Colombo MC,l963. 2. Tennent J.E, Ceylon, 1977. 3. Broheire L.R, Changing face of Colombo, 1984. •. -~ ·-tiiTVfRSITV DF MIRATUWA. SRitAto. - ~TU~A 4.3 THE PORTUGUESE PERIOD (1505 -1656) The Portuguese navigator Lourenco de Almeida accidently discovered Ceylon in 1505, on his landing at the Hook of Colombo was to name it "The Hill of St. Lourenco" and kept their first landmark on that rock, later they built a church at this place call St. Lourenco church. From this landing site they started moving interior lands . During this period, settlers on the bay was the moors, who had enjoyed a monopoly of the foreign trade. They realized that the port was on ideal location for their defensive activities and they selected Colombo as a main sea port directly linking the Goa in India and strategica/ly locate in the Indian Ocean to optimized their military activates and trading monopoly (Tennent J.E. 1977). Then they developed a strong friendship with the Kotte King and promised to protect the coastal areas from the invaders and obtained permission to collect cinnamon and established a fort in Colombo. Inside the fortress first they built a factory for the baling cinnamo~~and storing merchand~ ¥t the Hill of SU,£_urenco (Hulugalle H.A.J, 1963). From that point they mo~et interior and established Governors -~ ·_·.--:,- .... House occupied by rulers. The F the first settlement of the Portuguese in Colombo, from there they started their military activities and trading monopoly. Later they start spreading Christianity among the local people by erecting churches. Few years later divided the fortress into two zones call Fort and Pettah with a three mile long rampart of reinforced granite and fortified it with a moat. The fortress comprised 12 gates gave access to the out side world. The main gate leading out of the military fort to the civilian city called Kayman Gate (meaning a crocodile- the Kolon rivulet entered the sea through kaiman's Gate along crocodiles infested stream); ( Kaluarachchi S. 2004)),where the main military check point was , where the collection of valuable goods come from the Inland took place and transported into the fortress for shipment. The Portuguese were in control of the city for well over 130 years until it was captured by the Dutch in 1656, and destroyed completely with no trace of the Portuguese buildings (Figure 4.3). 19 0 r- ·"'' ~ ") ..;v-J ~ ... • N 1E Kaiman Gate Gravel Road Fort St. Laurence Church -++ D Fort Area C) Store House oog Pettah Area ., 0 + •\ Lagoon Coconut Grows Foot Path Figure 4. 3 :Fort Area in Portuguese period Source; Author's constructions based on.! 1. Hulugalle H.A.J, Centenary Volume, Colombo MC,l963. 2. Kaluarachchi S, Ancient Colombo, 2004 3. Tennent J.E, Ceylon, 1977. 20 • 4.4 DUTCH PERIOD (1656 -1796) Entire Portuguese structural development in Colombo, was destroyed by the Dutch (Hulugalle H.A.J, 1963). The Dutch who captured Colombo in 1655, were not prepared to tolerate the monopoly of the moors in trade for two main reasons. First, because they were of an alien faith and next, because the Dutch were solely concentrated in earning as much wealth as possible they could. Hence they could not tolerate any rival or competitors with their trade . Colombo's citadel erected by the Dutch was about one third size of the Portuguese fortress for their security and protection of their wealth. · ~ Figure 4.4: Dutch Gate Source: Hulugalle H.A.J, Centenary Volume, 1965. It was confmed more or less to the area now identified as Fort of Colombo (Hulugalle H.A.J, 1963).Dutch was special concerned of the Law than the Portuguese when they ruled the country. They introduced Roman -Dutch Law. Under that three types of courts call Lan Raad, Civil Raad and Raad Van Justitie courts were introduced . The high court Raad Van Justitie established in Hulftsdorp at Kotahena and other two established in Galle, Matara and Jaffna. Colombo District court area covered Bentara river to Moderagam Aaru at Mannar area . In relation to that, they introduced broad administrative structure to the country appointing diplomatic office environment. Those who were govern by East Indian Trading Company (Kaluarachchi S, 2004). This administrative structure and legal procedure • 21 directly affected to optimized their wealth and resources come from different sources. Introduced integrated canal system as a mode of transport to gather goods from surrounding areas and supply labour to the Fort area. Hence, Beira lake was developed and connected to Kelani river, Bolgoda Lake and Kirulapana Ela up to Kalutara. Unlike , ., ~ ~ ~:-'7.' - _-: ·~- N s 0 s 10 Kllometlers ~ Figure 4.5: Water based transport system Portuguese Dutch did not disturb the cultural life of the inhabitant. They allowed to erect temples and to caring out their day to day activities. Christian religious society spread around the city leading the Wolvendaaal church. • 22 Figure 4.6: Wolvendaaal Church Source: Kaluarachchi.S, Anciant Colombo 2004 They clearly displayed their rigid ruling power erecting Governor's House at Gordon Garden and'lpext to Elite Houses , Jo.vemment office~. _!jpspital, Museum and related offices within the fortress (Bro~L, 1984 ). Some of these remnants ·-- L · . • can be seen today also. - ·· Today this area occupied by military forces. Figure 4.7: Present view of Dutch Hospital They have to have unique road system called "Gridiron" , was a most prominent feature introduced to Ceylon by them (Broheir L.R. 1984). The grid is supposed to be the best and quickest way to organize a homogeneous population for a single social purpose. This system shows the coordinated activities of commercial and residential building. Queen Street, York Street, Chatham Street and some of the other Fort Streets follow exactly the original Dutch layout today too. • 23 Arrival of Dutch in the country have had some influence in the change of spatial form of Colombo. They contributed much changes towards the spatial form through the socio-cultural ,administrative, defense and economic activities (Figure 4.8 ). ., ~ ~~ ~.. - -:·~- 24 • N Ftll6"67'fR'S,S IN DUTCH PERJOD A 1656-1796 1:12000 Sea Museum Governor's House Fort Church Clock Tower Hospital Government •• Office ., ~n Sea Coconut Grows Gravel Road Figure 4.8 :Fort Area in Dutch period Source : Author's construction based on .. ! 1 Hulugalle H.A.J, Centenary Volume, Colombo MC, 1963. 2 Broheire L.R, Changing face ofColombo, 1984. 3 Kaluarachchi S, Ancient Colombo, 2004. 25 • 4.5 BRITISH PERIOD (1796 -1815) In 1796 Dutch was defeated by British rulers and established Colombo as the capital of crown colony. Both Portuguese and Dutch primarily used Colombo as a military Fort, but British's began to constructing houses and other civilian structures around the port. Initially, the administration of the city was under a "Collector", named John MacDowell of the Madras service . Then in 1833 the Government Agent of the western province was in charge for the administration of the city (Broheir L.R. 1984). However, at the beginning Dutch character of the city had not much changed during the early rule of British period. The Fort was chiefly occupied by British residence. In 1865 the British conceived a Municipal council as the means of training the local population for self-governance (Hulugalle H.A.J, 1963). In 1869 the British blew up most of the Dutch fortifications and commenced the construction of new military barracks. The Fort developed into the main seat of government for the 1hole country, as well~ banking and co~cial center. The Pettah has declined from being a residentia~e~ tG a trading/ commercial area with :::·~ - the characters of bazzar (Broheir L.R. 1984 - Figure 4.9: Kaiman Gate in British period Present view of Kayman Gate Source: Kaluarachchi S, Ancient Colombo, 2004 Most important feature of the British period was the introduction of tar road and construction of bridge using the technological advances. Hence, the peripheral areas got connected to connected with Colombo city. Kelani River bridge was constructed during in British period with railway tracks and road facility. Further, number of small bridges too constructed facilitating proper infrastructure facilities. At that moment city of Colombo had a large number of bullock carts and it was • 26 systemat6ically replaced by motor vehicles. The first mail train started from Colombo in 1832, to the other part of the country. Construction of new rail way lines and road system directly created improvements in the trade and commerce activities within the peripheral area. Improvement of those activities followed by facilities such as Gas lighting of the city in May 1872. The year 1879 the installation of the first telephone system at Turrent House was established, and in 1882 the Colombo water scheme, the city's sewerage system, Electrification of city was fust introduced. In 1897 and thereafter the development of habour was undertaken and Dockyard construction was initiated on 1st march 1899 and opened for sea- traffic on 31 51 October 1912. The Breakwater was completed in May 1922.General post office was established in 1899 (Sri Lanka's new capital - Sri Jayawardhanapure ). Most important fe.e in the latter part of ~8th century was ~e expansion of - J missionary English education using Col~d'?" as a base. During that time large -· 1..· . • -··-- - - number of missionary were established. With the establishment of Missionary Councils in Colombo the spreading of Christianity and improvement of English education has taken place . Basic objectives of the British was to develop the education neglecting the indigenous culture and religion. Buddhist people realized this situation and they took step to established the Colombo Buddhist Theosophical Society Ltd in 1880. In 1888 this society was declared as a Buddhist Secretariat Hall by the government gazette notification as demanded by the same society. Until such time all the Buddhist marriages were solemnized in the churches (Kaluarachchi S, Ancient Colombo, 2004). • . 27 Present view of the building and the adjoining area. Figure: 4.10: Colombo Buddhist Theosophical Society Ltd Source: Kaluarachchi S, Ancient Colombo, 2004. In Olcott Mawa~a in Pettah (Old Noqis road) there is~ficant building - J found decorated with beautiful elephants,~gs and a "Chaithya" in the top of the ·-·· 1..· .· . - roof. This building was named ~ :-auddha M'andiraya". This building is located in a very congested area. This triggered a turning point for the indigenous cultural and religious (Buddhist) rehabilitation of the country in British period of ruling (Kaluarachchi S, 2004 ). Figure: 4.11: Present view of Bauddha Mandiraya • 28 To increase wealth and to spread their power all over the country , they started number of British companies and hotels such as ,British Ceylon Corporation Mill for coconut processing (1835), Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (1829), Colombo Gas & Water company (1868), Ceylon Tea Company (1883), (Sri Lanka's new capital-Sri Jayawardhanapure,). Darley Butler & Co. in 1848, Cargill's Ltd in 1850, (Hulugalle H.A.J, 1963). Galle Face hotel (1894), Grand Oriental Hotel, Hotel Taprobane in 1933 . Much ofthe export and import business in Colombo were carried out by the above firms improved the economic development. ., ~ Figure: 4.12: Galle Face Hotel Later, British took step to established Town Hall at Pettah area in 1873 and 1893 the Pettah fish market was opened in 1893. The Old Town Hall in Pettah, opened by the. Governor in 1873 . Now used as a market Figure 4.13: Town Hall Building Source: Hulugalle H.A.J, Centenary Volume, 1965 • 29 When Sri Lanka gained Independence on 4th February 1948, Colombo city had a population of around 360,000 people. In comparison, its population in the year 1824 was 31,188 which grew to 110,502 by 1881, The city has ample parks and many play grounds. There are pleasant avenues with tree belt and pedestrian walks. During the British administrative period they full-filled their needs by creating contemporary British town planning. Cart route Pettah area ~ Figure: 4.14: PettahaArea Source; (Kaluarachchi S, 2004). Ancient Ceylon At thetime British ruled laid the rail way line to collect tea production from up country as well as down south area, Colombo -Kandy, Colombo -Galle. In addition high ways leading from Colombo was laid in order to iriiprove the traffic and circulation of pedestrian in and around the city. In 1929 government seat was moved to new Galle Face Secretariat from Gordon Garden and in 1930 Parliament building was opened to pass the Bill over the county as a legislative council. These land use characters change the entire face of the city of Colombo (Sri Lanka's new capital-Sri Jayawardhanapura). • 30 Figure: 4.15: Parliament Building In this manner throughout the British period several changes had taken place than the previous period. So, the British period was the crucial period environmentally contributed to th~ change in the spatial of the city. .... - ~ (Figure 4. 16 ). ~- ~ --- L · - .~ -~ - • 31 N FORT AREA IN BRmSH PERIOD ( 1796 -1948 ) A 1:11,000 \ Gordon Garden Light House Cargil's Building Chamber of Comm,e Barracks Parli ament Beira Lake Building Railway Line Gall e Road Galle Face ~ Galle Face Hotel Figure 4.16 : Fort Area in British Period Source : Author's construction based on .. ! 1. Broheire L.R, Changing face of Colombo, 1984. 2. Hulugalle H.A.J, Centenary Volume, Colombo MC, 1963. 3. Sri Lanka New Capital-Sri Jayawardanapura, Urbn Development Authority,Minisry of Local Government, Housing & Construction. 4. Kaluarachchi S, Ancient Colombo, 2004. 5. City Of Colombo Development Plan, UDA, 1999. 6. Lewcocok, Sri Lanka Consultant Report, 1980. 32 • 4.6 POST INDIPENDENCE PERIOD (1948 -1977) The British administration in Sri Lanka formally ended in 1948, with the granting of independence by the British Empire. Colombo continued to be the administrative capital and the commercial center of the country with very few visible changes in the built environment. However, as a result of socio-cultural, political and economical influences, the Colombo area has undergone many changes subsequently. The Sri Lankan government adopted socialist policies, which favoured the strengthening of social service and maintaining the strong economy. Private sector investors continued to locate their factories in the Colombo district, mainly due to the availability of relatively superior infrastructure facilities, closeness to port facilities and the high concentration of middle and upper income residents in the district who created demand for their products.( Economic progress of independent Sri Lanka, Central Bank, 1998) After the independ'ttce, city had to face _Jh~ impacts of v~ changes which emerged as a result of increasing nationaliiffwbich h._ad been gradually growing from the latter period of the British The changes in political and social arenas encouraged the birth of new value systems. Economy of the country also had undergone several changes. Nationalization attempts were predominant and privately owned properties and business ventures were taken over by the public authorities. This trend was continued through out the first half of 1960s. The successive governments were concentrating urban development during this period. This led to the preparation of Greater Colombo Master Plan. However , the proposals had to be modified subsequently, in order to give preferences for politically motivated development projects. Figure: 4.17: Tourist development along the Gall road • 33 Changes of social groups and religious activities have been occurred after British period. Moors and Tamils were again occupied in the city and carried their trading activities. Tamil Chettiar special for selling and making of jewelries. So the occupied along the Chettiar street. For their religious activities erected number of Mosque and Kovil. In 1957 the Sambuddaha Jayanthi Chaithya at fort closer to Colombo habour was erected by the former prime minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranayake in order to indicate that this country is predominantly a Buddhist country (Kaluarachchi S, 2004). ~ Figure 4.18: Present view of Sambuddaha Jayanthi Chaithya The Buddhist revival too have played major role in ch~ging the of physical character ofthe city of Colombo (Figure: 4.19). 34 • N A 1. 11 ,000 Light House Cargil;s Building ·ltresident's House Chamber of Commerce Galle Face Low Income Settlement Galle Face Hotel Figure 4.19 :Fort Area in Dutch period Source: Author's construction based on .. ! I. Kaluarachchi S, Ancient Colombo, 2004. 2. Sri Lanka New Capital-Sri Jayawardanapura, Urbn Development Authority,Minisry of Local Government, Housing & Construction. 35 • 4. 7 PRESENT PERIOD (AFTER 1977) After obtaining the independence in 1948 each and every sectors were changed at the whims and fancies of the politicians. The political decisions contributed to land development in an adhoc manner in the city of Colombo. The government policies after 1977 focused on "export promotion" in place of previous economic policies of import substitution and industrialization. One of the principle task of the government of 1977 was to re-built the capitalistic infrastructure that was destroyed by the previous nationalistic regimes. Specially significant state sponsored projects and p~ograms of these government include frrst, the shifting of the seat of the government from the former colonial fort area to Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte. Secondly, the fort area was transformed into a Central Business District by relocating its former occupants and replacing them with banks and private businesses. Thirdly, export processing zone were introduced within what is called Greater Colombo llJorder to attract foreign.,...in_vestments. This~ition, undertaken by the governments since the late 1970s ~-of a large programme of planned privatization, generated e most profo.lding bo~m since independence and changed the whole physical landscape. The changes in Colombo was carried out by the separation of political and administrative function to Kotte and economic function to fort. The rate of change in the urban fabric specially affected the city of Colombo after economic policy reform. Basically, fort area is covered mainly by banking , commercial and port activities. The expansion of fort access road north wards from Kochchikade facilitating in and out movement within the city than the British period . Towards the Slave Island area, still occupied by low income people wear houses, industries such as motor repairing and garages. Beira lake started shrinking due to the reclamation done by the government for development . 36 • Beira Lake and surrounded area Figure;4.20: Development of city edge With the opening of the new parliament , a new era drawn for the city of Colombo. Together with t¥ relocation of state ...,sector . administrative functions in the new administrative capital of Sri Jayaward~a, and city of--- Colombo convert new '-· t.· . - status as the Island commercial capi~. :\1{ - The "Fort' ward mainly functioning as the CBD is the historical core of the Colombo city. Contemporary British architecture and norms prevailing itself today. Residence entirely removed from the area because of high demand for commercial activities. Presently a great majority of Sri Lankan institutions have their head quarters located in Fort. The 40 storied Twin tower Complex is the center of important commercial establishment, situated in the Echelon Squire. The fort area is face of commercial and banking related activities together with administrative function. The location of large scale government and private sector buildings are the distinctive characteristics of the area. Earlier this area occupied by Ceylinco House with barracks buildings. • 37 Figure:4.21: Present view of Echelon squire Echelon squire in British period Present view of the area At the early period to date fort is doing very big contribution to economical development of the city and country also. Available land for further development is minimum. Hence, political authority has taken step to reclamation of sea from some extent. It will be affected to change the built environment again the city. • 38 Painting of fort in 1864 Fort in 1900 - :..!~~ Source: Kaluarachchi S, Ancent Colombo 2004. Figure 4.22: Present view of the fort Growth of the city basically has taken place along the five s1!"eet. Out of the five major streets, each street is famous for specific business activities such as electrical items, vegetables, fruits and jewelry items etc (UDA 1996). Relatively large number of buildings in Pettah are very old , with no special architectural characters. Present view of the city (Figure: 4.23 ). • 39 Figure 4.23: Present view ofBankshal Street and Pettah -~ ~ '---'-... :~:~ - _,. Figure 4.24: Present view of Town Hall and Fish Market area 40 • PRESENT PERIOD- 1977 TODATE Sea Temple Clocklwer President's House Naval Barracks Sea Echelon Squire Old Parliament Buildin-- The Secretariat Recreational Area Tourist Area Industries Galle Face Figure 4.23 : Fort Area in Present Period. Source; Author's construction based on .. ! 1. Satellite image Google earth 2010. December. 2. Zoning Plan ,UDA, 1999 3. Field observation. 4. Interviews with professionals. 41 • 4.8 CONCLUSION Colombo was a fishing centre before the colonization. It always linked with the estuary of kelani river. After that it was gradually changed because of influence of Portuguese, Dutch and British. This area is connected locally as well as globally. During the early periods all activities were concentrated within the Fort area, now it is extended to other areas like Pettah. At the beginning changes occurred only along the main artery roads but, later it was started expanding towards outer area of the roads. Up to 1982 Colomboit was the capital ofthe country, and all activities were taking place in and around the capital. After 1982 the Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte was named as capital of the country and Colombo is being developed as a commercial capital ofthe coun.$fY...... ~ ~ ·--~··1..· :y- - :~·~ - • 42