Discussion on ‘Megapolis’: The much awaited development project

Monday, 11 April 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking that we used when we created them,” lamented UDA Director General Nayana Mawilmada, drawing a quote from none other than Albert Einstein. Mawilmada was the guest speaker at the evening forum organised by Board of Management of The Management Club of Colombo on 29 March at Hotel Galadari Colombo.

Articulating the thinking behind perhaps the largest development project planned hitherto in Sri Lanka and the much spoken about Colombo Megapolis development program, he took the audience through a journey of the past, present and future with focused emphasis on several verticals from transportation/highways, garbage management to housing.

He emphasised on the fact that urban development needs greater cooperation of all sectors and needs to be a long term initiative aimed at transforming lives. While there would be several low lying fruits that can be picked for quick solutions to some of the burning problems, the development of that ultimate liveable city to be in par with the best of its class, needs a more long term approach, stated Mawilmada. Presenting some of the identified clusters for various development projects, he articulated the need to create an environment conducive for private sector participation apart from public sector in achieving the final result envisaged.

He also highlighted some of the challenges in implementing such an ambitious agenda, including the complexity in engaging a wide array of stakeholders effectively and the difficulty in achieving consensus on complex issues which do not have clear singular solutions. “There are many variables and no black and white answers in urban development,” he stated. “Implementation will involve a continuous series of judgement calls.”

The evening was well attended with keen interest being shown by the participants by pushing the Q&A time well beyond limits.