A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Indigenous Landscape Urbanism: Sri Lanka's Reservoir & Tank System
In Sri Lanka, the relation of urbanization to landscape has a long-standing tradition. The earliest Singhalese settlements – in the so-called Dry Zone of the flat coastal lowlands surrounding the central highlands – were structured in conjunction with an ingenious tank (man-made reservoir) and irrigation system, linking habitation to cultivation and sacred spaces to topography. The productive (agricultural), reflective (religious) and engineering (flood/drought control) aspects of the tank system were interdependent and worked hand-in-hand with urbanization. Over the years, these systems have fallen into disrepair. The article will develop an argument that the term ‘landscape urbanism’ has actually been standard practice for several millennia in various parts of the world. In this regard, Sri Lanka and other South (and Southeast) Asian contexts can undoubtedly benefit from the landscape urbanism discourse while their traditional organization of agricultural agglomerations can imbue the discussion with a perspective which is less formal and aesthetic and more grounded in necessity and survival tactics.
Indigenous Landscape Urbanism: Sri Lanka's Reservoir & Tank System
In Sri Lanka, the relation of urbanization to landscape has a long-standing tradition. The earliest Singhalese settlements – in the so-called Dry Zone of the flat coastal lowlands surrounding the central highlands – were structured in conjunction with an ingenious tank (man-made reservoir) and irrigation system, linking habitation to cultivation and sacred spaces to topography. The productive (agricultural), reflective (religious) and engineering (flood/drought control) aspects of the tank system were interdependent and worked hand-in-hand with urbanization. Over the years, these systems have fallen into disrepair. The article will develop an argument that the term ‘landscape urbanism’ has actually been standard practice for several millennia in various parts of the world. In this regard, Sri Lanka and other South (and Southeast) Asian contexts can undoubtedly benefit from the landscape urbanism discourse while their traditional organization of agricultural agglomerations can imbue the discussion with a perspective which is less formal and aesthetic and more grounded in necessity and survival tactics.
Indigenous Landscape Urbanism: Sri Lanka's Reservoir & Tank System
Shannon, Kelly (author) / Manawadu, Samitha (author)
Journal of Landscape Architecture ; 2 ; 6-17
2007-09-01
12 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
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