Role of Thematic Resettlement as Eco-village and Community Recovery Process in Sri Lanka

Abstract

As part of Indian Ocean Tsunami recovery projects, an eco-village was established in Lagoswatta, located in the Kalutara district near Colombo in Sri Lanka. There are 55 tsunami affected families relocated from 8 different communities. It was supported by local NGO. UNEP and UN-HABITAT initiated the Eco-housing project in 2004 to build capacity and to increase awareness on this issue. The main environmental activities are as follows: i) classification of garbage by type, ii) composting, iii) using natural energy such as rainwater tank and solar panel, ix) eco-friendly housing design, and x) workshop about environment conducted by local NGO. This case study will show the impacts of thematic resettlement as eco-village through field survey between 2006 and 2012. Questionnaire and interview survey were conducted at all households. Observation survey involved understanding the changing of the community structure and physical life condition in the resettlement area.