Abstract:
This study has been undertaken in partial
fulfilment of the academic requirement for the M.Sc.
(Town and Country Planning) Degree Course. The chosen
area of study comprises a specialised aspect of urban
development planning which has assumed an increase
importance in Sri Lanka.
The study itself consists of an assessment of
future demand for commercial floor space in the Central
Business District of Colombo and an economic evaluation
of one of its projects in Echelon Square.
The study has been undertaken in three Parts.
Part one which comprises three chapters has dealt with
the background to the assessment of demand for commercial
floor space in the Central Business District of Colombo.
In this connection Chapter One has discussed the National
Development Perspectives in the context of urban growth.
Against this Natidnal background, Chapter two has outlined
the profile of commercial sector activity in the Colombo
Metropolitan Region. Thereafter, the analysis in Chapter
Three has made an assessment of the future demand for
commercial floor space in the City's Central Business
District. The three chapters of Part One have clearly
established that a potential demand for commercial floor
space in defined categories does exist in the Central
Business District.
Part Two of the study has utilised the product
of Part One and has made an economic evaluation of the
Echelon Square Project in the Central Area Development
Programme of the Urban Development Authority. For this
purpose Part Two comprises two chapters. Thus in chapter
Four, a cost benefit analysis of the private investment
in individual building projects in Echelon Square has been
discussed to determine their investment feasibility. Thereafter,
in Chapter Five a critical analysis of public benefits
and costs of these same building projects have been discussed.
Part Three of the study consists of the conclusions
and recommendations arising from the overall study.
The study also includes Appendices and a Bibliography
