Abstract: More claims have emerged due to the challenges the construction industry has faced in recent years. When contractors submit claims in construction projects, they get either unpaid or paid less than the full amount owing to the ineffectiveness of the existing claim procedures. To obtain full compensation, claims have to be accurate. The study focused on developing an effective claim procedure for the construction industry in Sri Lanka. The study adopted a qualitative approach, using expert interviews and document reviews. Data were manually analyzed using content analysis. The strategies for detecting claim situations were identified and new format for presenting claims was developed. In the Sri Lankan construction industry, lack of understanding, awareness, and knowledge in site staff about claims; insufficient time given for claim notification; ambiguous procedures to follow in presenting claims; and the unavailability of records on claim substantiation and claim documentation are critical issues in claim preparation. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: The transportation system is an integral component of a modern urban environment. It’s drawbacks cause numerous transport - related issues in a majority of cities around the world. Increasing traffic congestion is one of them. Traffic congession in major roads accounts for an annual loss of approximately 40 billion rupees in Sri Lanka. This system has significantly caused the unbalance of the built environment parameters and the choice of transportation modes, while disrupting the road infrastructure management owing to the growing demand of automobiles. Therefore, it is essential to study the coherence between built environment factors and the transport mode choices and understand their relationship with different mode choices regardless of other critical parameters of mode choice such as income, travel time differential, quality of service. The study was carried out in the Colombo Metropolitan Area. Secondary data was utilized to analyze the mode choice characteristics of the study area. Density, design, and diversity parameters were considered the built-form factors; and centrality measures were utilized to capture the road network parameters. Relationship analysis and Multi-Layer Perceptron analysis were utilized to identify the relationship between the built environment and the choice of mode in transportation. The result revealed that there is a relationship between built environment factors and the choice of mode at origin, destination, and route - wise. The findings of the study would be essential for transport and urban planners to develop more inclusive landuse plans and for better transport management. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: The price fluctuation formula introduced by the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) is widely used by the Sri Lankan construction sector to calculate price fluctuation of civil engineering construction projects because of its high standard, ease of use, and easy access provided to the information. The price fluctuations calculated using the formula carries some degree of uncertainty. This study was conducted to assess the degree of accuracy of the calculations made using the CIDA formula and the impact of the formula on the profits earned by contractors in civil engineering construction projects. The study adopted a qualitative research approach. Ten interviews were conducted with experts in the construction industry to identify the impacts of the formula on contractor profit and the strategies that would help manage those impacts. Thematic analysis using code based manual content analysis was used to analyse the collected data. The study findings reveal the difference between the actual price adjustment required and the price adjustment using the CIDA formula. The main reasons behind this difference are the use of inaccurate price indexes and the basic assumptions made to derive the CIDA formula. The effect of the CIDA price fluctuation formula method on contractor profit margins in civil engineering projects implemented in Sri Lanka was also investigated. To lower the overestimated price adjustments, modified cost adjustment factors and reliable price indexes are recommended as the main suggestions. Industry practitioners can adopt these suggestions to increase the effectiveness of the CIDA formula in civil engineering projects. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: The profundity into the rising realities of new urban planning that unbundles the fragility of declining and weak concepts of conventional planning cannot be overemphasized in this COVID-19 era. Therefore, the emerging paths for a post-COVID-19 city rest on the ability of urban planning to be resilient in times of pandemics. This paper discusses the COVID-19 pandemic experience in Ogun State, Nigeria and the imperatives for physical planning. The study relied on secondary data sources (journal articles, newspaper publications, government reports, and blogs)and direct observation (primary data source). Findings suggest that the disease is prevalent in informal settlements and COVID-19 exacerbates several shocks in the state. The study makes a case for a new approach to physical planning that calls for the vigorous pursuit of resilience and the preparation of a resilience strategy to guide future city planning. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: Recording information on land is a crucial factor for a country to maintain its wealth. Among different registration methods, the title registration system has been identified as the most acceptable, efficient, widely used, and secured system in the world. Sri Lanka introduced the title registration system in 1998 in selected areas of the country, but it is still less popular and shows low progress. Hence, there is a question on the success of the program. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify the factors that affect towards the slow progress and the disfavour in land title registration system in Sri Lanka. The perceptions of the landowners’ who dealt with the new system were surveyed through a questionnaire prepared on pre-identified criteria. The results revealed that, the factors that were unfavourable and demote the success of the land title registration were related to the awareness, the trust, the trustworthiness and the access to information. Hence, it can be concluded that the landowners possess little knowledge on the benefits of the program and felt uncertainty about the system. The policies should be formulated to improve the efficiency of the program by enhancing the awareness of the landowners to strengthen the trustfulness of the title registration process in Sri Lanka. Published on 2021-09-27 00:00:00
Abstract: The social and economic burdens of road accidents have become a governing issue for the authorities and policymakers of developing countries. Moreover, the lack of research on road safety management has hindered the enhancement of road safety in these countries. Thus, this study aimed to improve the road safety standards in Sri Lanka. The objectives of the study are to investigate the causes of road accidents in Sri Lanka, to examine the problems associated with the road conditions existing in Sri Lanka and to propose strategies to improve road safety in Sri Lanka. A qualitative approach was adopted in the study and the empirical data collection commenced with a comprehensive document review to determine the level of road safety management in the country. Thereafter, case study strategy was adopted and three roads in Sri Lanka were selected through purposive sampling as the cases. Non-participatory observations and 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the required data from the three roads. The collected data were analyzed using code-based manual content analysis. The findings revealed that the roads in Sri Lanka have deficiencies. Eighteen causes of road traffic accidents and nineteen strategies that can enhance road safety in Sri Lanka were identified through the study. Related previous studies have revealed only the statistics, trends, and economic impacts of road accidents in developing countries. Thus, the literature on the management of road safety standards in developing countries is scarce and this study fulfils the research gap. The study adds to the body of knowledge by exploring in detail how the road safety standards in developing countries could be enhanced using Sri Lanka as an example. Published on 2021-09-27 00:00:00
Abstract: In the 21st century, societies are increasingly multi-sided with secular interests, making urban issues complex, dynamic and unable to be solved by a single institution. In this context, communicative planning propagates that the pathway to finding sustainable solutions for complex social problems would come from stakeholder participation and the identification of shared interests among such secular interests (consensus building). Rooted to Habermasian communicative rationality, communicative planning argues, stakeholder participation can ponder not only the scientific knowledge but also emotive and moral knowledge of lay actors such as local communities to inform planning better. In this respect, the paper explores the extent to which communicative planning works for the housing estate delivery process in England. With key pieces of planning legislation, mandating community engagement in all forms of physical development, England is considered one of the highest forms of legal backing for communicative planning. Meanwhile, housing provision is one of the complex and critical planning concerns of all cities. Dickens Heath New Settlement (DHNS) - a large scale housing estate development in the West Midlands of England, has been selected as the case study here to investigate this communicative planning potential in the context of housing estate development. Following qualitative methods, data were collected through sixty in-depth interviews with DHNS residents, community groups, master planners and local authority planners, and documentary evidence such as the DHNS master plan and local planning documents. The findings highlighted that communicative planning had a negligible effect at the conceptual planning stage of DHNS, but accrued relatively positive outcomes at the mature design, development and management phases of the estate development. These are valuable insights for housing development practice, communicative planning theory and practice, and reflect on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 - sustainable cities and communities in the context of England. Published on 2021-09-27 00:00:00
Abstract: Considering the current trends veered towards urbanization, it is forecast that by the end of the twentieth century, about 90% of the world’s population would have resorted to urbanized living. Owing to the growing trend in urbanization, vast changes are taking place in relation to the distribution of the human settlements, which cast a rapid deterioration of green coverage in the metropolitan areas. Green spaces perform a variety of functions and important to the urban environment in many ways. ‘Green space’ is a crucial player, when it comes to the contribution it makes by improving the quality of the city environment. Its’ contribution varies from improving of the quality of air, urban health, reducing urban heat island effect, lessening noise, conservation of biodiversity to bestowing significant socioeconomic advantages. Previous studies confirmed the important, beneficial role that the urban green spaces play in relation to the environment, society and economy. This paper evaluates the socio-economic functions of private green spaces in a primary residential zone of Galle City in Sri Lanka. Twelve variables were recognized for the purpose and the variables proposed were both qualitative and quantitative in nature. A survey with 280 residential units in the selected residential zone was carried out and the data was used in a multiple regression analysis. Models were developed to demonstrate the functions of private green spaces. Results revealed that only 13 percent of the private green spaces served for social functions. It was interesting to note that only a mere 5 percent of the private gardens served for economic functions. The role that the private gardens play in social functions was considerably higher than economic functions. Utilizing private garden spaces for recreational activities was substantially higher compared to the other social functions that they were used for. The findings emphasize that the private green spaces possess the ability to offer a variety of functions towards the positive contribution to the urban environment and its population, however it can be surmised that green spaces are not functioning in its’ full potential in the city of Galle in Sri Lanka. Published on 2021-09-27 00:00:00
Abstract: In the recent past, Sri Lanka has been experiencing an increase of intensity and frequency of natural disasters. Therefore, the study was carried out to introduce an Open Source application to collect the field level information and to identify the flood inundation areas through a 3D model. The case study area included 48 Grama Niladhari Divisions in Manmunai North Divisional Secretariat (DS), Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka. The study helped to analyze the role of OpenStreetMap (OSM) to support the mapping of the flood risk level of the study area. This objective was achieved by collecting flood exposure data through community participatory method using OSM, which was integrated into a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Elevation points were collected using Google Earth and TCX Converter. The flood hazard maps were created using inputs such as water depth and flood extent of the DEM and verified through a local community participatory mapping exercise. Next, vulnerability maps were generated based on factors such as building characteristics of houses, population of the areas and the availability of assistance during the flood scenarios in 2010 and 2011. Finally, the flood risk map of the study area was prepared in combination with hazard and vulnerability maps. The study produced a user-friendly application of open source and GIS to develop a 3D flood risk model for the identification of flood risk levels. Exposure data have been uploaded into the OSM, therefore, it can be accessed anytime, anywhere and by anyone. The extent of study area is 2593 ha; where about 25,000 families live and there are more than 32,000 buildings. The building footprint database was established using JavaOSM and Bing satellite imagery. It was updated with the building attributes produced by the data collection exercise. This study showed that when the water level increases in the lagoon, nearly 25 GN Divisions (GNDs) out of 48 GNDs are under high flood risk. The developed online geospatial database in OpenStreetMap is an important asset, since it supports the preparation of an emergency flood risk management plan, which helps to accelerate the emergency response and flood mitigation plan for the study area. Published on 2020-12-24 03:31:32
Open Access journal
