REVITALISING URBAN BACKWATERS 
IA / \ \M1NATION OFSTRTERGIES IN MAKING NEGLECTED WATER BODIES IS 
URBAN WATERFRONTS 
72 < V 
711.76 
A D E S S E R T A T T O N P R E S E N T E D l ( ) ITII 
D E P A R T M E N T O F A R C H I T E C T U R E , 
U N I V E R S I T Y O F M O R A T U W A 
F O R T H E F I N A L E X A M I N A T I O N 
M . S c . ( A R C T I I T T • I ' l l Kl•) 
B. A. U I M B A M. W I C K R A M A S I N G I I E 
D E P A R T M E N T O F A R C T T E T U R E . 
U N I V E R S I T Y O F M O R A T U W A 
1998 
6 9 3 6 1 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
I am profoundly grateful to Dr Samitha Manawadu, Senoir lecturer, 
Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, for all his comments, 
guidance and inspiration from the initiation of this study. 
My deep gratitude to Archt. Ranjith Alahakoon, the Year master M.Sc. Year 
II, and Archt. Vidura Sri Nammuni, the Year master, M.Sc. year I, Department 
of Architecture, University of Moratuwa for all their encouragement and 
inspiration. 
I am also grateful to Dr. Dayananda Waduge and Arch. Kapila Silva Lectures 
of Department of Archtecure, University of Moratuwa, for their guidance and 
valuable comments they given to me throughout the study. 
Especially I must thank Arch: Prasanna Silva, Mrs.Ester Basnayake, of Urban 
Development Authority for providing me sufficient information and guidance 
for the success of the course. 
I would wish to thank Mr. K.D. Fernando senior Lecture department of Town 
and country Planning, University of Moratuwa. Also my sincere thanks to Mr. 
Alahakoon of the technical staff of the University of Moratuwa. 
My warmest thanks to my friends and colleagues, Surangi, Prasanna and 
Ravin for their kind support and especially to Mangalika & Aruna for their 
constant support in numerous ways in the completion of the study. 
Very special thank to Sudarshana for his all supports and encouragement 
through out the study by being the contestant force behind me. 
Finally, for my dear parents for their encouragement and support. 
CONTENTS 
Acknowledgements 
INTRODUCTION 
2. 
Topic explanation 
The need of the study 
3. Aims ad Objectives 
Methodology 
Scope and limitations 
4. 
5. 
CHAPTER ONE - SOUL OF WATERS: 
An Exploration of Distinctive Living Dimensions of Waters 
1.0. Preface 
1.1 .The Living Waters 
1.2. Living Dimensions of Waters Towards Man 
1.2.1. Physical Dimensions of Waters 
1.2.1.1. Means of Survival 
1.2.1.2. A Basis for Settlements 
1.2.1.3. Means of Utility 
1.2.1.4. Means of Transport 
1.2.1.5. Source of Defence 
1.2.2. Psychological Dimensions of Waters 
1.2.2 1. The Perceptual Dimension 
1.2.2.2. The Conceptual Dimension 
1.2.2.3. The Symbolic Dimension 
1.2.2.4. The Psycho-Functional Dimension 
1.2.3. Social Dimensions of Waters 
1.2.3.1.Direct and Active Form 
1.2.3.2. Indirect and Passive Form 
2 
3 
3 
3 
4 
5 
5 
6 
7 
7 
8 
10 
12 
12 
12 
14 
1.3. Living Forms of Waters 15 
1.3.1. Finite Waters 15 
1.3.1.1. Lakes and Pools 15 
1.3.1.2. Rivers and Canals 16 
1.3.2. Infinite Waters 19 
1.3.2.1.Seas and Oceans 19 
1.4. Living Forms of Waters as Spatial Elements 20 
1.4.1. The Space and the Spatial Element 20 
1.4.2. Spatial Element of Waters as a Water-space 21 
1.5. Water-Space in Two Extreme Living Entities 22 
1.5.1. Water-Space in Rural Entity 
1.5.1.1. The Rural Attributes 23 
1.5.1.2. Collision of the Water-Space 23 
1.5.2. Water-Space in Urban Entity 
1.5.2.1. The Urban Attributes 25 
1.5.2.2. Collision of the Water-Space 26 
"4" 1.6. Water-Space as a Place in the Living Entity 26 
1.6.1. From Space to Place 27 
1.6.2. Water-space as a Place 27 
1.7. Water-Space from a /Voce to Placeless-Space 28 
CHAPTER T W O - T H E LOST SOUL OF WATERS: BACKWATERS 
An Examination of the Phenomenon of Backwaters with Special 
Reference to Urban Situations 
2.0 Preface 29 
2.1 The Concept of Backwaters 30 
2.1.1 .The Meaning of Backwaters 30 
2.1.2 The Determinants 30 
V 
2.2. Distinctive Forms of Backwaters 32 
2.2.1 . Backwaters as a Lost space 32 
2.2.2. Backwaters as an Anti-space 33 
2.3 Causative Factors for Backwaters 35 
2.4. Spatial Characteristics of Backwaters 39 
2.4.1 Physical Characteristics 39 
2.4.2.Psychological Characteristics 41 
2.4.3.Social Characteristics 42 
CHAPTER THREE: IN SEARCH OF SOUL OF WATERS 
An Examination of the Two Conceptions of Backwaters as a 
Placeless-Space and Waterfronts as a Place, with Relevant Examples 
3.0 Preface 44 
3.1 In Search of Backwaters 45 
An Examination of the Lost Souls of Waters in Cities 
3.1.1. The Selection Criteria of the Examples 45 
3.1.2. An Examination of Backwaters in the Local Domain 45 
3 .1 .2 .1 .TheBeiraLake 46 
3.1.2.2.The Kirullapone Canal 51 
3.1.3. International Examples of Backwaters 53 
3.1.3.1.BostonHarbourfront Boston, U.S.A. 53 
3.1.3.2.Goteborg, Sweden 55 
3.1.4. Concluding Remarks of Backwaters 58 
3.2. In Search of Waterfronts 60 
An Examination of the Souls of Cities 
3.2.1 .The Basis for the Selection of Examples 60 
3.2.2.Waters in the Historic Context 
3.2.2.1. Early Settlements: the City of Babylon 61 
3.2.2.2. Milletus: A Greek city 63 
3.2.2.3. Kandy Lake, Sri Lanka 65 
in 
3.2.3. Stirring Waterfronts in the Contemporary World 67 
3.2.3.1. Venice:Italy 67 
3.2.3.2. Amsterdam: The Netherlands 73 
3.2.3.3. Paris: France 76 
3.2.4. Waterfronts Re-Developments 79 
3.2.4.1. Boston Harbourfront Development: Boston 79 
3.2.4.2. Goteborg Waterfront Development: Sweden 82 
3.4.Chapter Conclusion 85 
CHAPTER FOUR: TOWARDS RE-CREATING THE LOST SOUL OF 
WATERS 
A Conceptual Approach in Revitalising Backwaters as Waterfronts in 
an Urban Entity 
4.0 Preface 86 
4.1 A Conceptual Framework in Revitalising Backwaters 87 
4.1.1 .The Basis of the Conceptual Framework 87 
4.1.2 Examination of the Conceptual Framework 88 
4.1.2.1. Response 88 
(A). Architectural Response 88 
(B). Functional Response 95 
4.1.2.2. Accessibility 97 
4.1.2.3. Change 99 
(A). Change the Meaning 99 
(B). Change of Activity/Function 100 
(C). Change of Physical Setting 102 
4.1.2.4. Publicising 102 
4.1.2.5. Linkage 103 
(A). Physical Linkage 104 
(B). Functional Linkage 105 
(B). Visual Linkage 105 
4.1.3. The Summery of the Conceptual Framework 106 
I V 
4.2. A Concept for Revitalising Backwaters into the Urban Context 107 
4.2 .1 . The Background for the Concept 107 
4.2.2. The Basis for the Concept 108 
4.2.3. The Conception of Backwaters as Water-Squares/Piazzas 109 
4.2.3.1 Attributes of a Square 109 
4.2.3.2. Backwaters as Water-Square: An Overview 1 1 3 
4.2.4. The Conception of Backwaters as Water-Streets 1 17 
4.2.4.1. Attributes of a Street 1 1 7 
4.2.4.2. Backwaters as Water-Streets An Overview 1 20 
CONCLUSION 124 
List of Figures and Illustrations 
Bibliography