The Impact of Agricultural Economy of Periphery on Urban Dynamics in Dry Zone Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Cities are typically complex notions with multiple dimensions and interpretations. The human landscape in cities is a unique phenomenon that undergoes temporal and spatial changes due mainly to the influence of industrialization, urbanization, and globalization. Among these factors, the nature of the services offered by various urban centers and the periphery of receiving such services generate urban dynamics. A dynamic involves the modification or enhancement of an existing situation. This study aims to identify and analyze the most substantial elements of Dry Zone urban dynamics created by the combination of three components, namely the performance of the periphery, the behavior of the city, and city-using third parties. Under the method of purposive sampling, three urban centers and nine periphery villages were selected for the study based on the mean of all urban service centers. This study used primary and secondary data and they were analyzed using statistical methods, Geospatial techques and qualitative analytical method for styding the dynamics. One of the most important findings of this study is that the functions of the service centers in the Dry Zone are taking precedence over the peripheral requirements. In addition, the distribution of functions of the service centers varies across urban service centers, however the type of functions is comparable. Consequently, the vertical spread of the city is currently faster than its horizontal spread. Although the urban dynamics and the agricultural sector may coexist, it is influenced by numerous other

complex aspects. Among such aspects, the tourism business, the trend toward non- agricultural employment, and the shift in mindset produced by the rise in education have

been the most prominent. At present it is difficult to measure the urban dynamic with

traditional parameters and it is needed to analyze the new factors which are developing in dry zone urban environment, and it could be take at least another 10 years of period to show real picture of the urban dynamics in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka.