Balangoda, Sri Lanka

Transcription

Expression of interest as CRPP partner city
City Resilience Profiling Programme (CRPP), UN-Habitat
Balangoda Urban Council
Old road, Balangoda, 70100
Sri Lanka
Telephone: (+94)0452287275
Web: http://www.balangoda.uc.gov.lk
email: [email protected]
A sustainable city for a better living | Balangoda Urban Council, Sri Lanka
1. Introduction to the city
a. Location
Balangoda is a prime township in the Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province in Sri
Lanka. It is located between 80o 35’ to 80o 55’ east longitude and 60o 30’ to 60o 45’ north
latitude. As an key center for administrative and commercial function in the region
Balangoda town is in North Eastern slope of the central hilly at a distance of 143km from
the Colombo city along the Colombo- Ampara main road (A4) (see figure 2).
Figure 1: A view of Balangoda town from the top of Mugunamale Mountain
Balangoda town is governed by Balangoda Urban Council which was established in
1939 as the first urban council in Sri Lanka, under the Urban Council Ordinance 1939.
The area is ranging in between three main topographic features. Mainly the hilly areas,
which are 3000 ft. above mean sea level. The intermediate plain areas are also available
with the altitude in between 1000ft – 3000ft. Also there are low plain areas in the South
East part of the area, which are below 1000ft. from the sea level.
b. Significance
The area is having a rich history which is linked with the pre historical era. Evidence of
Paleolithic (Homo saphien Balangodaensis - 500,000 BP), ‘Balangoda Man’ was found
in Balangoda area.
Balangoda area is considered as a location where diverse of minerals available. Gem,
feldspar, calcite are few valuable minerals available in Balandoda area. Area is famous
for places with scenic value. Mountain ranges such as Dethanagala, Bhagalakanda, and
Water falls such as Bambarakanda, Duvili Ella, Surathali Ella, Kirindi Ella and
Beliholoya, Worlds’ end are well-known tourist destinations available around the
Balangoda town.
Figure 2: Location of Balangoda
c. Land
Balangoda Urban Council area with 16.2km2 total land area is limiting to 1.5 km distance
along the Balangoda-Colombo road, 2 km to the Badulla direction, 2.5km along the
Balangoda-Kalthota road and 0.75 km along the Balangoda-Rassagala road.
d. Climate Condition
Average temperature of Balangoda is about 270C. There are zonal differences in
temperature levels and the average temperature level in Balangoda range from 25 to
30oC. The mean temperature level is near to 25oC and 30oC temperature level in dry
season. As a consequence of geographical settings, the annual rainfall averages from
1500mm to 1600mm level and exceeds 2000mm. The area receives intensive rainfall
during inter monsoon period in months of October, November, March and April. The Dry
season is prevailing within the months of July and August and also experiences severe
winds in the dry season.
400
Average Monthly Rainfall (mm)
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Figure 3: Average Monthly Rainfall in Balangoda (1983-2011)
Source: Department of Meteorology - Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
e. Demographic Information
About 23,220 of people are living in Balangoda Urban Council area. 56% from the total
population is Sinhalese. Tamil population is about 20% from the total population and
24% are Muslims. In the consideration of commuting population, Balangoda urban
council facilitates for about 40,000 people who enter the city for various types of
purposes daily.
f.
Natural and Manmade hazards
Balangoda UC area is known as one of disaster prone area and it has vulnerability to
multiple disasters. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has identified
landslides and floods as most prominent disasters in the Balangoda area. Unstable
steep slopes and fragile geological formation and heavy rainfall are leading to wide
range of geological and hydro-meteorological disasters across the area.
These disasters have contributed for loss of human, livestock and economic losses of
the area. Since the area is located in an area which has critical climate conditions and
sensitive natural forms is more favorable towards hazards in the future. Global climate
change, growing urban population and urbanization would be contributed to make the
situation worst.
In addition forest fires, elephant attack, snake bites are recorded in peripheral areas.
Due to unavailability of proper waste water treatment mechanism in the town and with
the increment of urban population, pollution of surface water sources and epidemic
diseases are also emerging as challenges to the township.
Type of
Disaster
Drought
Flood
Landslide
Lightning
Strong
wind
Bench mark
Number
Avg. per
Event
Number
Avg. per
Event
Number
Avg. per
Event
Number
Avg. per
Event
Number
Avg. per
Event
No. of
Deaths
events
0
2
0
6
3
1
21
Destroyed Damaged Affected
Houses
Houses
population
0
0
2842
0
0
1421
0
0
0
445
0
0
0
74
1
10
24
215
0.33
3.3
8
71.67
0
0
0
7
0
0
0
7
1
0
0
79
0.05
0
0
3.76
Figure 4: Profile of Hazard Impacts in Balangoda (2000 to 2009)
Source: Disaster Management Centre, Sri Lanka
Figure 5: Landslide and Flood hazards in Balangoda
Figure 6: Landslide and Flood risk in Balangoda
2. Why should CRPP in Balangoda
Balangoda as a township evolved in a valley surrounded by hilly areas, it is need to pay
attention on shaping its development in a sustainable way within the space available to
grow. In a background having understood the upcoming challenges, Balangoda Urban
Council has already formed the programme to create a sustainable township under the
vision of “A sustainable city for a better living in year 2020”. Disaster resilient city
development is one of the key goals of Balangoda Urban Council.
In making disaster resilient township, some of the key actions taken by Balangoda Urban
Council are;
i)
Citizens are well aware about the vision, goals and objectives of the city.
Balangoda Urban Council publishes a newspaper quarterly to disseminate
information regarding Urban Councils’ activities.
ii) A separate unit (DRR/CCA unit) for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate
Change Adaptation (CCA) has established within the urban council premises.
Separate officers, equipment and required resources are allocated to run the
unit. Emergency rescue teams are in alert under the supervision of the unit.
iii) Separate Budget line is allocated for DRR/CCA. Standing committee for
DRR/CCA is established within the council.
iv) Disaster vulnerability and disaster risk assessments has done and accordingly a
disaster management and preparedness plan is prepared for the entire urban
council area. Initiatives have taken for enforcing DRR plan and guidelines
through the community response teams.
v) Balangoda Urban Council is conducting a comprehensive waste management
program which has awarded as a leading waste management project in the
country.
vi) Urban council has taken initiatives to prepare area specific new building
regulations for reducing vulnerability to landslides, earth slips, earthquakes and
other natural disasters.
vii) Balangoda Urban Council has awarded several times by national and provincial
level awards for quality and productivity of the services. It was awarded as the
best urban council in 2005 in the national productivity award competition. Within
last several years it has continuously win the award for best Urban Council in
Sabaragamuwa Province and 3rd and 2nd places in the island level. Finally in
year 2012, it won the 2nd place in the best Urban Council award competition.
viii) Balangoda is a partner city in the Project of 'Disaster Resilient City Development
Strategies for Sri Lankan Cities' which was funded by Australian government and
implement by UN-Habitat. For creating disaster resilient city key initiatives has
taken from this programme including Hazard/risk assessments, preparation
disaster management/ preparedness plan, establishment of DRR unit,
awareness and training. Dorawela Oya rehabilitation and flood mitigation project
phase (I) is been conducted under this programme.
ix) Further Balangoda has partnership with different international organizations;

Signed a sister city agreement with Probillinggo Municipality, Indonesia in
2011.

Signed an agreement with UNISDR for the resilient city campaign

International relationship with CITYNET Organization in few programmes
conducted.

Membership of ICLEI local government sustainability (Rio+20)

Sister city membership for the Dakar city cooperation

International coordination of International Urban Training Center in South
Korea

Coordination with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA)
Within this well established setup, CRPP can be successfully applied for Balangoda.
That will be also helpful to further strengthen the current process followed by the
Balangoda Urban Council.
Statement of Commitment
For City Resilience Profiling Programme (CRPP), UN-Habitat
We are, Balangoda Urban Council is looking forward for the partnership as a
partner city in the City Resilient Profiling Programme (CRPP).
Here by we are agreeing to give our fullest contribution for the above programme
as a city which has the true commitment and necessity for making city disaster
resilient.
Wishing the success of the programme,
W.M.N.G. Weerasinghe
Chairman
Balangoda Urban Council
Date: ___________________
Place: Balangoda, Sri Lanka

Balangoda, Sri Lanka

Transcription

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