Abstract:
Comparatively to other developing countries, the growth of cities and urban
populations is very slow in Sri Lanka. Kadawtha was a small township on the
Colombo-Kandy road and it has been rapidly developed during the last 20
years. This research discloses the reasons for rapid urbanization in Kadawatha
town during the last 02 decades, 2000-2019. Especially, the Kadawatha has
located within the Colombo megalopolis. The study was designed under the
approaches of Urban Geography and especially concerned about
morphological changes and expansion of services service locations of the town
during the 20 years. Google images, satellite images, land use maps and
published reports and documents of relevant data gathered for secondary data.
Using questionnaires, focused group discussions, observations and key
informant discussions were the main strategies to collect primary quantitative
and qualitative data collections. According to the study, the expansion of the
expressway network and Kadawatha expressway interchange is the main
reason for the rapid urbanization. Expansion of medical facilities and newly
established hospitals in Ragama junction near to Kadawatha, expansion of
new bus stand, increasing the inmigration into Kadawatha and surrounding
areas, newly established Kadawatha “Kandy” shopping mall and development
plan of Colombo megalopolis are the other major reasons for Kadawath rapid
urbanization.
