Urumaya Conservation Foundation recently provided assistance to the Galle Fort Heritage Foundation to undertake heritage projects in the Old Town of Galle Fort in southern Sri Lanka.
Founded by the Portuguese in 1588 and extensively fortified by the Dutch throughout the 17th century, from 1649 onward, Galle Fort was an important centre for Dutch East India trade until the British arrived in 1796. During the height of British rule in Sri Lanka, until its independence in 1948, the bustling town of Galle became the centre of administration in the southern province of Sri Lanka.
The Old Town of Galle Fort is identified as being the best example of a fortified city in South/South East Asia and demonstrates a fusion between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Following the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009, the Old Town has seen rapid change and an ever-increasing number of tourists visiting the area, which has had a significant impact on the living traditions, character and function of the Old Town.
Our projects
Following discussions with the Galle Fort Heritage Foundation, the following priority areas have been identified by the Urumaya Conservation Foundation to support the ongoing safeguarding of the site:
A robust heritage conservation and management framework setting out clear objectives and the processes for identifying, assessing and listing of historically significant sites in the Fort.
Comprehensive heritage inventories of all existing building stock, including documentary and photographic surveys.
Strengthened heritage regulations and development guidelines to aid Government staff in assessing the impacts of development proposals on the heritage values of historic buildings and streetscapes.
Protective mechanisms for modernist buildings such as art deco and internationalist styles which fall outside the current Antiquities Ordinance heritage legislation.
Community awareness, education and engagement programs.
Project 1: Review of Existing Regulations
A review of the existing planning and building regulations for Galle Fort is currently being undertaken to strengthen objectives, provisions and design guidelines for historic building stock and infill development.
This review is a high-priority project to help mitigate further erosion of the character of the Fort's streetscapes, while allowing for contemporary living requirements.
Project 2: Exhibitions
A series of exhibitions will be undertaken to showcase historically significant streetscapes, buildings, decorative features and colonial furniture.
This project will involve photography, exhibition curation, interpretation and promotional activities.
Project 3: Galle Heritage Awards
The inaugural Galle Heritage Awards will be held to celebrate good heritage architecture and design and recognise architects who have contributed to the safeguarding of the Fort’s historic buildings.
Award categories will include infill development, alterations and additions, adaptive reuse and conservation work.
The awards will be an important mechanism to raise community awareness of the significance of the Fort.
Project 4: Galle Heritage week
Local community engagement (idea short film on local community) (documented family history)
Open house week to allow visitors into private properties / tours – ticketed with restricted numbers.
Heritage Tours
Incorporating Projects 2 and 3 (Exhibitions and Galle Heritage Awards)
future projects
Galle Fort Heritage Database
This project involves the establishment of a comprehensive heritage inventory of all buildings located within the Galle Fort boundary. The database will include information on likely construction dates, building typology, architectural period characteristics and significant features that are to be retained.
Capacity building of Galle Fort Heritage Office staff in survey work, identification of historic buildings, photographic documentation and analysis is a critical component of this project.
Research and Listing of Art Deco and Modernist Buildings
Modernist 19th century buildings fall outside the Antiquities Ordinance - the main heritage legislation in Sri Lanka. Consequently, art deco and internationalist period buildings are particularly vulnerable to development pressure with several buildings being demolished in recent years.
This project will involve research into the art deco movement in Sri Lanka and investigate potential alternative processes within existing statutory frameworks to safeguard these buildings, recognising the important role they play in the architectural heritage of Sri Lanka.
Minority Food Cookbook
Documenting cooking practices and recipes of minority cultures living in Sri Lanka.