Final report : urban sector study, Sri Lanka

Whereas urban population growth is typically twice the overall growth rate, Sri Lankan urban areas actually grew more slowly than rural areas during the period 1971-1981. Population distribution has remained relatively constant since the 1960"s, with only about 20% of Sri Lankans living in urban areas. However, while the rural areas are dominant in terms of population, the country"s economic strength lies in nonagricultural, primarily industrial production. Concentrated in Colombo and other large cities, this production contributes 73% to GDP. Chapter I of this report provides a review of Sri Lanka"s urban sector, while Chapter II identifies preliminary findings in the following areas: urban growth trends, spatial distribution of poverty, the impact of the Government"s new devolution of administrative structure on provincial councils and local authorities, the impact of urbanization in Colombo, and urban-rural linkages. Chapter III presents a checklist of possible areas for USAID/SL intervention, covering activities related to land, infrastructure, finance, and development planning.