Metro Colombo Urban Development Project

Introduction

Sri Lanka needs competitive and dynamic cities to reach its aspiration of becoming an upper-middle income economy and a global hub. With the end of civil unrest, the country is on a path of rapid urbanization. The Metro Colombo Region is the international gateway to Sri Lanka and houses most of the country's important institutions and services and manufacturing facilities. Therefore, there is a need to tap into the competitive advantages of the Metro Colombo Region to accelerate growth. The Metro Colombo Urban Development Project (MCUDP) is a key response to this need.

Development-Oriented Aim

The aim of the MCUDP is to complement the ongoing urban regeneration programs of the Government of Sri Lanka by reducing the physical and socioeconomic impacts of flooding in the Metro Colombo Region and improving priority local infrastructure and services. The Project area will comprise four urban local authorities: the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council (DMLMC), Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte Municipal Council (SJ-KMC), and Kolonnawa Urban Council (KUC). The total cost of the MCUDP is US$ 223 million. It will be jointly financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development of the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka. The Project will be managed by the Project Management Unit of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, while implementation responsibilities rest with three Project Implementing Agencies: Sri Lanka Land Reclamation & Development Corporation (SLLRDC), Urban Development Authority (UDA), and CMC. The implementation period is 30 April 2012-30 June 2017.

Key Components

The MCUDP comprises three main components. The first component focuses on flood and drainage management and addresses the urgent issue of urban flooding, which regularly paralyzes the economy of the Metro Colombo Region with high socioeconomic costs. The second component focuses on urban development and infrastructure rehabilitation for Project Local Authorities (PLAs) the CMC, DMLMC, SJ-KMC, and KUC. It is aimed at supporting these authorities to rehabilitate and manage their drainage infrastructure and urban roads, implement selected demonstration urban improvements investments, and improve solid waste collection. It also includes targeted technical assistance for institutional strengthening and capacity building for central and local authorities. The third component consists of implementation support.

Projects Components Related to Colombo Municipal Council

Infrastructure Development

1) Town Hall Square Model Development Zone

Town Hall Square is located in close proximity to the Central Business District and the National Hospital which sees approximately 60,000 people passing through the area on a daily basis. In addition, 15 bus routes intersect close to Town Hall Square making it a point of connectivity within the city. From a historical perspective, the area has remnants of the old Garden City concept introduced during the colonial period, with many architecturally significant buildings located in the vicinity. The objective of this sub-project is to physically improve and functionally upgrade the Town Hall Square and surrounding area. Interventions include retaining the existing architectural and environmental character of the area while improving access to all public areas located within the Square. A total of 50.8 hectares will be upgraded. This will benefit the general public including commuters to the city and the residential population.

Out of the three packages, Package 1 and 2 have been awarded to the contractors and the implementation is in progress.

This includes the laying of ducts for the telecommunication services, laying of water pipes, laying of kerb lines, parking bays, street lighting, paving of foot walks, asphalt overlaying and landscaping etc;