Thathsarani de Silva
Development of an area-based Landscape Character Assessment Methodology for Sri Lanka
Over the past few decades, the concept of landscape has evolved from a focus on natural beauty to encompass human perception, socio-cultural factors, livelihoods, and aesthetics. Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) assists in identifying these diverse landscape attributes, supporting participatory planning and management, especially in the face of environmental challenges like climate change. Island nations, such as Sri Lanka, are especially susceptible to environmental changes, highlighting the need for robust LCA methodologies to support resilient, long-term landscape planning.
My research focuses on enhancing LCA methodologies for Sri Lanka’s coastal landscapes, which are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, especially sea-level rise. By reviewing international LCA practices and local approaches, the study aims to develop an area-based LCA framework that can identify changes in coastal landscapes, providing insights into how the landscape attributes evolve due to rising seas. The goal is to integrate this framework into national planning policies, improving strategies for climate change adaptation. Additionally, the findings could offer valuable insights for other island nations facing similar environmental challenges. Through a combination of literature review and expert interviews, this research aims to contribute to more informed and sustainable landscape planning for Island nations.
Supervisors
Dr Victoria Chanse & Dr Shannon Davis
Qualifications
Honours Degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture [BLA (Hons)], Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (2017)
Master of Environment Management [MEM], Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (2019)
Chartered Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Landscape Architects (SLILA) since 2021