Abstract:
Urban expansion in adjacent areas has been addressed by
different dimensions depending on the context. Sri Lanka is
gradually developing, and urban areas have mostly expanded in
an unplanned manner resulting in uncontrolled urban sprawl in
their new territories. Similarly, the Wattala-Mabole urban council
area also has a site of urban sprawling. The main objective of this
research is to identify and analyze the different factors which
generate the socio-economic impacts of the urban sprawl in the
study area. Further, the paper examines the challenges and
opportunities of urban sprawl in the urban council and its
surrounding areas. The methodological steps for the study include
a questionnaire survey and interviews, and secondary data for the
spatial analysis. Moreover, the spatial data have been analyzed
through geographic information system applications. This study
identified major factors of the urban sprawl which generate socioeconomic impacts such as ‘monthly household income impacts the
accommodation of the community, and unemployment causes
robbery and illegal activities.’ Moreover, the rapid growth of
urban council outskirts causes an increase in land value
unaffordability. It was stated by the urban council that the service
industries, warehouses, and massive production factories have
utilized most of the low-lying lands in the outskirt area at
comparatively low prices. Hence, this rejuvenated urban growth.
Further, the study found that some people who are living in urban
fringes gain economic benefits due to the urban sprawl by
providing accommodations to the migrants, and having more
business opportunities and demand for goods. However, both the
urban and outskirt dwellers face socio-economic and environment
related problems due to the urban sprawl. Thus, national and local
governments should step ahead and implement policies to
overcome the issues of the community
