A STUDY ON QUALITY OF LIFE OF MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP ALONG URBAN CANAL WATERFRONTS

Abstract

In most of the cases, canal network in Greater Colombo region work as the drainage system of the urban area and as the backyard of the city. Therefore, there is a lack of attention to the canal waterfronts by the government and by the public. Hence, this research was to find out and evaluate the factors, which will affect the quality of life of people along urban canal waterfronts. It has been discussed in terms of liveability through a series of carefully selected indicators. Liveability surveys were conducted along five canal waterfronts and the participants’ perceptions were taken. Every canal waterfront was assigned a rating of over 25 qualitative and quantitative factors (set of indicators) across six broad categories (dimensions): safety, comfort, health and wellbeing, mobility, environment, and socio-cultural factors. Each qualitative factor was given a rating from 1(tolerable)-5(intolerable). Qualitative factors were then combined with quantitative factors through a series of equations to form the liveability index. According to the proposed liveability index, transport dimension index is ideal (100), while the health and well-being dimension is the lowest (27). This will help for the creation of government policies, plans, rules and regulations and when implementing projects along urban canal waterfronts.