Sri Lanka M Azath S Salley Deputy Mayor

Sri Lanka M Azath S Salley Deputy Mayor of Colombo Sri Lanka

Basic Data

Environment conditions in cities • Conditions are different depending on the location • Colombo • • • High Density population Vertical expansion Green City Was a planned city Surrounded by waterways • Problems – Solid Waste Management – Air Pollution – Water Pollution – Land Pollution – Sound Pollution

• Environment of the cities in the hills……. . Kandy • A city in the hills • Man-made Lake Issues – – – Traffic Congestion Air Pollution High population density Pollution of the Lake Solid Waste disposal No space for development • Nuwaraeliya • Tea Estates • Tourist destination • Issues - Soil erosion, Solid waste management, unplanned constructions

Environment in the Ancient cities………. • Anuradhapura – Ancient Capital – Well planned 2000 years ago • Issues – – Unauthorised structures Environmental pollution Solid Waste Management Communicable Diseases

Cities on the shore-line • Galle • Hikkaduwa • Issues – Destruction of the cultural heritage – Pollution of the sea by oil spillage from boats – Unauthorised coral mining – Air pollution due to burning of coral – Sea erosion – Increased traffic

Types of urban slums • Poor Settlements • Un-serviced Settlements • Upgraded Settlements • Fully Upgraded Settlements

Action taken on creation of a National Policy on Improvement of Slums • Enactment of Ceiling on Housing Property Law-1979 -Introduction of housing rights of urban poor • Establishment of Common Amenities Board-to improve basic amenities in slums • Establishment of UDA • Establishment of National Housing Development Authority

Measures taken to Improve slums • Environment and community Development Projects in Colombo • UNICEF Assisted Urban Basic Services Project, 19841993 • Slum and Shanty improvement Programme of UDA, 1978 -1984 • Hundred Thousand Houses and One million Houses Programme, 1978 -1989 • Establishment of Real Estate Exchange Limited (REEL) Programme • Urban Renewal Programme of UDA/NHDA • Urban settlements Improvement Programme (USIP) • Allocation of funds to Councilors e. g. Colombo MC

State of the Environment and New Initiatives in Colombo Azath Salley Deputy Mayor of Colombo Sri Lanka

Colombo Municipal Council 138 Years Old

Introduction to Colombo Population-642, 000 Floating population-500, 000 37. 3 sq. km Commercial & Port city All leading establishments are situated Administered by the Colombo Municipal Council

State of the Environment [ Rapid urbanisation [ Unplanned and unauthorised constructions [ Increased vehicular traffic [ Air pollution [ Pollution of waterways [ Problems with Sanitation and Solid Waste Management

The Under-serviced Area Ø 1614 poor settlements On Government, Corporation, Municipal, Private Sector Lands. Ø > 50% of population (350, 000) in 6% Land Ø Marginalized lands. Ø >300 settlements along the waterways Ø

Problems in slum areas Housing Security Water Sanitation Social Health Gender Drug abuse Schooling Food Sanitation

Slums……Housing Mostly unauthorized Schemes, shanties Small space 1 -2. 2 perches More than one family (10 -15 members) Poor ventilation Cooking in the same room

………Water Inadequate Polluted underground water Large numbers per point source Lack of Storage Facilities Wastage

Sanitation No proper disposal Canal as a source No proper toilets – high water table & ground conditions Septic tank overflow Not adequate to meet the demand

Social…… Stigma Conflicts- family, neighbours Unemployment

Health Communicable diseases-Dengue Fever Nutritional problems-stunting 10% anaemic mothers Underweight children-40% Indoor air pollution Stress related diseases Alcoholism

Gender ü Women unemployed ü Domestic violence ü No organisation for women ü Suicides ü Underage marriages

Drug Abuse Teenagers, youth Male-unemployed Labourers Surveys Rehabilitation Needs a sustainable effort

Schooling Poor educational facilities Lack of certificates to prove residence Malnourished children Truancy Dropouts

Food Sanitation Poor quality of food Poor preparation Inadequate facilities Inadequate supply of clean water Poor storage facilities Unauthorised eating houses-around 400

Innovative action • Withdrawal of common taps to reduce Non Revenue Water • Improvement of sanitary facilities under the GTZ Project • Poverty Reduction Project of DFID/UNCHS • Green Star Home Project-Creation of Homes with a friendly outdoor environment • Green Settlements Project- to improve the environment in settlements lining the canals

Innovative Action………. Improvement of Solid Waste Collection Distribution of Plastic Bins Low-cost sanitation projects for areas without sewerage facilities Women’s Development Capacity Building in Leadership Involvement in Economic Activities Thrift societies/loan schemes Prevention of Domestic Violence

Recommendations Assistance to create an Environment Policy for Local Government Updating of Environment Profile Identifying Priorities Action Planning on Air Pollution of waterways Solid Waste & Waste Water Management Reducing sound pollution Upgrading of slum areas Removal of unauthorised structures

Thank You