In The Press

The Development Control Regulations (DCR) for the Colombo Port City (CPC) were presented to the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development by the China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) earlier this week.

The company hosted future utility partners, representatives from allied Government agencies and prospective investors to a grand event themed ‘Roadmap to Prosperity’ during which the Project’s Development Control Regulations (DCR) were presented.

Surbana Jurong, one of Asia’s largest urban, industrial and infrastructure consulting firms based in Singapore, and Atkins, the UK’s largest engineering consultancy, were brought on board by the project company to prepare the DCR to the existing Master Plan, which was originally done by Swedish-based planning consultant, SWECO a communiqué released at the event said.

The DCR provides a clear mechanism for the implementation of the Master Plan and directs both public and private sector developments with a set of development objectives, definitions and regulations. The regulations are essential to enforce the vision and objectives of the Master Plan in a transparent manner.

The DCR was initially presented to the Minister of Megapolis & Western Development, Champika Ranawaka and the Urban Development Authority for appraisal.

The Singapore based consultant said the key essence of the previous Master Plan had been refined further through urban design guidelines, in preparing the DCR for the Port City. “The soul of the project is sustainability and quality lifestyle. The urban structure of Port City is designed for liveability, social security, tolerance and inclusion, thereby contributing to a higher quality of life. It emphasises a well-balanced relationship between the public, semi-public and private realms, where different kinds of spaces give rise to a wide range of uses and activities,” says Surbana Jurong’s GCEO Wong Heang Fine.

The Port City Colombo would be an extension of the existing city’s Central Business District (CBD) with 5 new districts, the Financial District, the Marina, International Island, Central Park Living and Island living. Each district offers a good mix of uses which allow for a live, work and play environment.

The development control regulations are crafted very carefully to create a more connected community with provision for spaces for people to interact and socialize in, the statement said.

The Colombo Port City Development Project (CPCDP) DCR is organised within a framework of 4 volumes, which covers four key areas, urban design, utility, landscape and sustainability. The strategies for development are described, and then translated to mandatory plot level regulations for developers to follow. The DCR will also provide detailed land use and development regulations for all development partners of Port City, including architects, designers, builders and developers.

A number of sustainability objectives are defined in the DCR, as overall guidance for mandatory requirements. The requirements outline the minimum level of performance required, in some cases raising the bar above the threshold level required by internationally recognised certification schemes such as LEED, BREEAM and Green Mark, whose mandatory requirements have been established based on over a 100 individual performance criteria.

Sustainable solutions to reduce net water consumption through the implementation of water conservation measures and use of low water consumption fixtures, fittings and equipment have been included, whilst the use of renewable energy solutions, methods to enhance environmental quality, recycling of wastewater and disposal, improved public space and sustainable transport methods etc. have been taken into account and clear solutions included.