Capturing Narrative Landscape in Koggala

University of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Moratuwa

Project idea

Introduction
Koggala is a small coastal town situated at the edge of Koggala lagoon on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Koggala has one of the longest beaches in Sri Lanka and is in close approximate to the popular tourist resort of Unawatuna, Koggala in comparison is relatively uncluttered as a tourist destination and mostly unexplored. Koggala was significantly affected by the tsunami caused in 2004. Also, it is the birthplace of renowned Sri Lankan author Martin Wickramasinghe and there is a museum, martin Wickramasinghe folk art museum dedicated to his arts, literature and popular traditions in the town.
In the east of Koggala has an old temple, Kataluwa purana maha vihara, which was originally built in 13th century. The temple is renowned for its Kandyan style paintings. Also, Koggala is famous for its distinct stilt fishermen, who erect a single pole in the chest deep water on the beach to catch small fish. Koggala is the only one transport hub with all four transport methods are connecting - railway, main road, airport and sea.

Vision
Unveiling the vintage of Sri Lankan literature, tradition and culture through a narrative odyssey to the past.

Objectives
▪Public awareness on natural landscapes in the past and how successful it was or not, comparing to the urbanization and industrialization.
▪ To showcase Sri Lankan literature, down south culture and traditions to the younger generation.
▪ To emphasize the un-explored important sites in Koggala through tourism and uplift the economy of the livelihood.
▪ Reduce urban heat island effect through sustainable landscape solutions
▪ Providing nature friendly solutions for lagoon bank erosion and revitalizing the environment to protect the valuable islands

Design Approach
Symbolism of book trilogy
Node 03- “Gamperaliya” - transformation of village - breakup of traditional life
Node 04 - pathway through thick vegetation patch And hidden village area beyond the vegetation patch symbolize “Kaliyugaya” - age of darkness or the age of kali which defines an era Of turbulent change.
Node 06 - sudden changes of thick vegetation pattern To less vegetation and more bright areas, pathways, Blossoming trees and spaces for people symbolizes “Yuganthaya” - end of an era

Project description

“Capturing narrative landscape in Koggala” defined as a nature trail and will be acted as an alternative recreational zone while providing an integrated socio-ecological system through a design approach which will be inspired by the famous book tri-logy Gamperaliya, Kaliyugaya and Yuganthaya of martin Wickramasinghe which defines each era of the past 3 decades. Also, this will be a memorial park for the prominent writer Martin Wickramasinghe while respecting the natural wet landscapes and biodiversity in Koggala.
This park will inspire the public through awareness about the vanishing down south culture, traditions and literature. Also, it will provide a great opportunity to uplift the economy through promoting unique handy crafts unique to down south. Revitalizing and conserving the destroyed mangrove eco system will regenerate the biodiversity and wetland habitats. Overall design will be eco-friendly and no environmental harming materials or design structures will be used in the park.
Mainly design has targeted on the community to wake up and see how the past environment had succeeded in everything rather than the urbanization and industrialization.
Overall design will emphasize “Change” in the society and the surrounding environment through a story telling landscape.

Technical information

Landscape Management Proposal - Initial statement: goals and objectives

▪ To ensure the successful establishment and continued growth through to maturity of
the soft landscape scheme.
▪ To ensure that the successful establishment and retention of effective landscape buffer planting, particularly along the boundaries of the site.
▪ To ensure the successful establishment and continual enhancement of the soft landscape
▪ To secure a long-term future for the existing trees and new tree and thicket planting with emphasis upon achieving enhancement of ecological potential and visual Amenity.
▪ To achieve rapid establishment of the plant material with resultant total ground cover, there by suppressing weed growth and reducing maintenance requirements.
▪ To manage the landscape in a manner convivial with the safety of site users, such as maintaining visibility splays and the removal of dead, dying or diseased tree branches.

Landscape monitoring: -Proposed and existing plants must be monitored twice a month -Lighting fixtures must be monitored once a week -Oiling and gasing to the lamps must be done by daily -Bullocks and bullock carts, old cars must be monitored daily -Pathways, boardwalks, entrance and parking must be cleaned daily