PORT CITY COLOMBO TO DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY ENVIRONMENT

The $18.8 billion land reclamation project, Port City Colombo, is a joint effort concept that has been developed by the Government of Sri Lanka and CHEC Port City Colombo’s parent company China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) – a Chinese multinational corporation.

The larege-scale project will span 269 hectares and consist of five different precincts: the Financial District, Central Park Living, Island Living, The Marina and the International Island. 173 hectares out of the total land space is designated as “marketable land” and is set to undergo several developments that aim to transform Port City Colombo into a powerhouse destination for commerce, tourism, and culture in South Asia.

This land reclamation project follows on from the successful reclamations in The Netherlands, China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. In each of these instances, the reclaimed land has unlocked greater potential for the country to expand commercial, domestic, retail and public space ventures.

The Government of Sri Lanka hopes that by bringing the allowing further areas for oceanfront living and connecting this land with the city’s CBD, Port City Colombo will provide a high quality of life through world‐class office, residential and recreational spaces that cater to a range of demographics, both local and international.

CHEC Port City Colombo announced recently that international design group Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), in association with Grant Associates landscape architects, were awarded the rights to design Port City Colombo’s (PCC) Financial and Marina Districts.

A spokesperson for SOM has explained that their winning submission “offers a richness of urban opportunities and a robust framework with carefully designed public spaces. It presents a dynamic new vision for Colombo Port City that promises to deliver high-quality urban environments for residents and visitors.”

Furthermore, the winning submission was praised for its attention to the ecological and cultural sensitivity of Sri Lanka and its position in South Asia. The sustainable nature of the plan takes great care to plan for the future growth of the area, without compromising on the principals of a sustainable development framework.

The Financial and Marina districts will be designed and constructed as a sustainable urban space that adapts to local climate, creates a comfortable micro‐climate and make efficient use of energy resources.

To combat the areas tropical climate and keep the urban city cool, the masterplan makes space for a series of squares, canal edges, gardens, harbors, and city parks. These spaces will incorporate the local areas tropical greenery and enhance the country’s distinct ecological atmosphere.

Plans on the CHEC Port City Colombo detail that the city will be constructed minimise portable water for irrigation through rainwater harvesting approach. In addition, The city's will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants to air and sea are by prioritising of pedestrian and cycling transport planning.

Already the masterplan for the area includes space for:

• Commercial: Banks, offices and retail, hotels and restaurants, diplomatic embassies
• Residential: Dwelling houses/units, apartment buildings, serviced apartments
• Institutions: Healthcare, educational and R&D institutions 
• Entertainment:  Indoor amusement and entertainment establishments, outdoor recreational spaces
• Community: Art galleries, socio‐cultural establishments/community centres, tourism business, convention and event facilities

The Port City Colombo will see thousands of jobs created in the area as the masterplan calls for the creation of several public realm amenities such as parks, theme parks, pedestrian and bicycle lanes and other mixed-used facilities. Port City Colombo is scheduled for completion in 2014. 

All images and videos courtesy of CHEC

Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka is a 269 hectares land reclamation project that will transform the area into an international destination for commerce, tourism, public space and culture.