Priority Implementation Project (PIP) on Mainstreaming DRR into Housing Sector in Sri Lanka

Country covered:
Sri Lanka

Duration:
Phase I: August 2008 – April 2009
Phase II: July 2009 – June 2010

Project brief:
Phase I Activities:

• Working with the Disaster Management Center of Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, the PIP supported the formation of a Technical Working Group to bring together the various government agencies working in the area of policy, planning, design and approval of housing development projects. The Technical Working Group members undertook the following activities:

• Reviewing the draft National Policy on Housing and identifying gaps on integrating DRR

• Reviewing the Housing development aspects of the National Development Plan; “Mahinda Chintana” – A Ten Year Horizon; Development Frame work 2006-2016 and identified gaps in terms of integrating DRR

• Review of the process of housing planning, design, approval and implementation and provided recommendation for integration of DRR in each stage for each stakeholder agency.

• The PIP took stock of the existing technical Guidelines available in the country on housing construction and how these guidelines could contribute to integration of DRR

• With local approval process forming an important component of Housing projects, the PIP undertook a detailed study in the Sabaragamuwa province to identify the areas of improvement in the local development process in terms of housing approval. 

Phase II Activities:

• Currently in the Phase II of the PIP, the Technical Working Group members are detailing out the scope of the activities which would aim at taking forward the recommendations of the Phase I of the PIP by implementing them in some of the ongoing/planned initiatives in the country.

• Mainstreaming DRR into a Selected Housing Projects of National Housing Development Authority (NHDA)

 Pipe line Project Sites:

Aislaby Estate, Bandarawela AGA Division, Badulla District, Sri Lanka
Stirling Division, St. Clair’s Estate, Thalawakelle, Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka 

• Develop 3 day Training program on Mainstreaming DRR into Housing sector by NHDA

• Integration of DRR into Housing Policy of Sri Lanka by Ministry of Housing & Common Amenities, GoSL

• Inclusion of DRR into Local Development Plan of Kanthale in Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka by Urban Development Authority (UDA)

• Inclusion of DRR into housing construction approval process by Ministry of Local Government & Provincial Councils, GoSL

• Develop a checklist to be used in housing planning & approving process for local authorities not declared under UDA act by National Physical Planning Department (NPPD)

• Inclusion of DRR into Coastal Zone Management Practices in relation to Housing development and Permit procedures by Coast Conservation Department (CCD)

• Develop checklist to be used in housing planning & approving process by Sri Lanka Land Reclamation & Development Corporation (SLLR&DC)

• Training Program for TOs & Craftsman in Northern and Eastern provinces on Housing Construction Guidelines & certain regulation and by-laws by Ministry of National Building & Estate Infrastructure Development, GoSL

• Conduct National Workshop at end of the project period to seek feedback on the final outputs of the Phase II of the PIP by Disaster Management Centre (DMC)

For more details please contact Arghya Sinha Roy (arghya@adpc.net)