Application of spatial calculating analysis model for land use conversion in colombo urban fringe

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ISSN 2286-4822
www.euacademic.org
EUROPEAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH
Vol. I, Issue 9/ December 2013
Impact Factor: 0.485 (GIF)
DRJI Value: 5.9 (B+)
Application of Spatial Calculating Analysis Model
for Land Use Conversion in Colombo Urban Fringe
W. H. T. GUNAWARDHANA
K.G.P.K. WEERAKOON
Department of Estate Management and Valuation
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Sri Lanka
Abstract:
Globally, the level of urbanization is rapidly increasing and
metropolitan areas are growing fast, creating extensive land use
changes and urban spatial expansion. In 2011, a total of 3.6 billion
people were urban dwellers, accounting for 52% of the world
population (UNDP, 2012). Simultaneously, it is important to access
spaces to accommodate this growth. Ultimate results of that is urban
fringe area gradually converting to provide access for this pressure
demand. Hence it is important to study the conversion of land into
urban uses as well as land use changing pattern, direction, and
changing intensity. Specific reasons for land use conversion and also
implication of land use conversion are very important to any party who
is interested in this scenario. Land use changing information is more
important to take the best decision when preparing land use
management plans. In any situation, land use changes are very
difficult to critically identify because of its complicated and dynamic
nature. Therefore, Town planners, Real estate developers and all
interested parties need to be aware of land use changes and its nature.
Due to lack of advanced analytical tools for land use management,
identification of land use changing pattern was a difficult task.
Therefore it is required to use an accurate model to determine the land
use pattern and its future trend. Present GIS analysis provides a more
powerful platform for land based analysis. In this analysis it expects to
use Spatial Calculating Analysis Model for land use analysis
integrating GIS.

W.H.T. Gunawardhana, K.G.P.K. Weerakoon- Application of Spatial Calculating
Analysis Model for Land Use Conversion in Colombo Urban Fringe
EUROPEAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH - Vol. I, Issue 9 / December 2013
2868
Key words: Land conversion, Urban land use, Urban fringe, Spatial
Calculating Model
1. Introduction
The history of urban growth and urbanization reveals that
urban areas belong to the most dynamic land cover types on
earth. It forces to socio and economic development (Thapa &
Murayama 2011) that leads to the land use and land cover
change in the urban-rural fringe. Regardless of the regional
economic importance, urban growth, particularly the expansion
of urban growth towards the periphery of urban areas has an
impact on the ecosystem (Hu et al. 2007; Thapa & Murayama
2010). It is evident that such trend of urban growth has an
impact on natural resources and on land cover dynamics at
large. (Thapa & Murayama 2010)
According to that land conversion in urban fringe area is
a continuous process and it is of timely importance to analyze
such a land conversion prior to making a decision to mitigate
the above problems. Manual calculation of existing changes
does not provide an exact picture of those changes. To obtain a
clear picture it is needed to be analyzed in a scientific way.
Over the last decade, GIS has grown dramatically and its
sophisticated analysis tools provide a better insight for different
kind of spatial analysis (Chang & Masser 2003). Most
researches applied GIS for identifying land use changes. In
2008, Xinchang et al. developed a spatial calculation model for
identifying land use changes in the urban fringe area.
Colombo suburban areas are highly dynamic areas, in
terms of land development and usage. Indeed, land market has
been boosted due to high demand for urban land during the last
two decades. According to that illegal land filling, conversion of
agriculture, marshy land and irregular land sub divisions and
fragmentation are some of consequences of this process
(Weerakoon et al. 2002). For instance, so far 1,600 hectares of

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environmentally sensitive marshy lands have been filled by
private developers. In some areas, nearly 50% of agricultural
lands have been converted into urban uses (Ariyawansa 2008).
Further, rapid increasing land prices and uncontrolled land
markets stimulate poor land owners to sell their lands to
private developers which is relatively advantageous with
increasing land price than their existing land uses.
These rapid land use changes create some positive as
well as negative effects to the society and environment.
Different social, economical, political and environmental factors
are causes for that. However, urban fringe areas are converted
into urban uses at an alarming rate. This process threatens the
sustainable development and its impact is unable to be
measured. Hence, the land use changing pattern, intensity of
changes and its consequence cannot be adequately measured
due to lack of scientific methodology. So, it is very important to
have a scientific, systematic and reliable technique to evaluate
land conversion pattern of urban fringe area for decision
making (Chang & Masser 2003). This study aims to develop
some methodological approach for that.
2. Objectives of the Study
The General objective of this study is to develop a model to
analyze and calculate land use changes using a scientific
methodology during specific periods. For fulfilling this main
objective, following specific objectives were developed.
 To analyze the land use changes during the 13 years
period.
 To calculate the land use changing intensity using
Spatial Analysis Model for Land use Change.

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3. Review of Literature
3.1 Land use
Land use is a business between man and natural environment.
Hence, Briassoulis (2008) stated that the land use change is the
result of a complex web of interactions between bio-physical
and socio-economic forces over space and time. The magnitude
of land use change varies with the time period being examined
as well as with the geographical area. Moreover, assessments of
these changes depend on the source, the definitions of land use
types, the spatial groupings and the data sets used (XinChang
et al. 2008). However land uses pattern changes are different
from area to area. Pattern of rural areas’ land use changes
totally different from urban land use change. Because land use
types are different from area to area (Majeed 1996). For
example while most rural areas land conversions are from
forest lands to agriculture lands, urban agricultural lands
being converted to residential, industrial uses etc. In any
situation land use changes are very difficult to critically
identify, because of its complex and dynamic nature (XinChang
et al. 2008).
Growth of urban areas depends on both economic and
non-economic factors (Harvey 2004). Economic factors are the
nature of existing economic opportunities in a nation
determined by the size and character of the future urban
population, level of income, consumption need and land use etc.
Non-economic factors are significantly interrelated with
economic factors and vice versa; those are population changes,
advanced in technology and policy changes etc. (Harvey 2004).
Ultimately those two factors cause urban growth and
simultaneously results in changing the existing land use
pattern.
Land use changes are the result of complex interactions
between human and biophysical driving forces that act over a
wide range of temporal and spatial scales (Baker 1989).

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Deriving those changes is a complex process due to its
complexity. Modeling of land use changes (as a function of its
biophysical and socio-economic driving forces) provides insights
into the land use changes and its effects (Weerakoon et al.
2008).
3.2 Land use change Models
Models are a formal representation of reality and also
sometimes it represents theory of a system of interest
(Briassoulis 2008). The representation of reality is expressed
through the use of symbols and formulas (XinChang et al.
2008). Models of land use change can play an instrumental role
in impact assessment of past or future activities in the
environmental and/or the socio-economic spheres. Models of
biophysical and/or human processes operate in a temporal
context, a spatial context or both. When models incorporate
human processes, the human decision making dimension
becomes important. In reviewing and comparing land use
change models along these dimensions, two distinct and
important attributes must be considered: model scale and
model complexity (Lambin 1994).
Time step or duration is the smallest temporal unit of
analysis for change to occur for a specific process in a model.
Duration is the length of the time that the model is applied. For
example, in a model of forest dynamics, tree height may change
daily. Hence, Model scale is very much important when
preparing spatially explicit land use models and statistical
models or any. Because it is always the reliability of the model
depends on model scale (XinChang et al. 2008). There are
important interactions possible between temporal complexity
and human decision making (Ojima et al. 1994). For instance,
some human decisions are made in short time intervals. The
decision of which road to take on the way to work is made daily
(even though many individuals do not self-consciously examine
this decision each day). There are four main categories of

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models distinguished like spatial interaction models (Spatially
explicit land use models), statistical and econometric models,
optimization models and integrated models. All these models
can be identified as numerical models or conceptual models.
3.3 Numerical model for Land use changes.
Numerical models are one of the best methods that can be used
to calculate land use changes. According to Bruce and Maurice
(1993), Land-use changes during a certain period can be shown
by calculating the average changing ratio of land-use model in
the researched region. The principle of this theory is based on
general mathematical calculation for finding some changes over
time. For an example, calculation of Population growth rate,
Death rate etc.
The mathematical expression for measuring land use
change can be formulated as follows;
CRi = (TA (i, t2) - TA (i, t1)/TA (i, t1)/ (t2-t1)*100%
Where, CR is changing Rate, TA is Total Area, i is Land use
type and t is time (year).
For instance when applying above expression for land
use change of paddy during 1990 – 2000, it is as follows;
CRPaddy = (TA (Paddy, 2000) - TA Paddy, 1990)/TA (Paddy, 1990)/ (2000-1990)*100%
The main advantages of the calculating model are shortness
and simplicity and we can use it without complicated
professional analysis. It is used in both professional and non-
professional reports and academic papers.
But the disadvantage is obvious as well.
1) This model ignores the fixity and distinctiveness of land-
use spatial position, and cannot reflect the spatial
process and interrelated attributes of changing land-use
dynamic.
For example, the following two changes is taking place

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with spatial locations and attributes different, but
acreage completely the same: On one hand, barren
unused land is reclaimed far from the city; on the other
hand, a field of high quality is converted into land for
civil construction near the city. The two changing
processes counteract each other and cannot reflect the
actual condition when we analyze the dynamic changing
of the region.
2) This model cannot calculate and compare the active
degree of land-use changes, that is to say, it cannot
distinguish the “hot” or “sensible" district, as it has no
spatial characters.
3.4 Spatial Calculating Analysis Model
Spatio-temporal changes of land use analysis are significant for
identifying dynamic changes in a certain period. “The general
analysis of the quantity, structure and environment of land-use
change is useful to perceive the trend and character of land-use
spatio-temporal change”, Xinhang et al. (2008). From time to
time, the quantitative spatial information analysis is applied to
identify different kind of spatial changes of land use (Hussain
et al. 1996; Udayasena and Wijesekera 2008). For instance,
some lands of adjoining industrial area change to paddy
cultivation to arable land, other part of that area adjoin arable
land converted to industrial purposes in the same extent. In
this case land uses contradict with each other and cannot
identify the real changes. Hence, most scientists in the last
decade combine statistical calculations with geographic
properties using GIS overlay analysis. Xinhang et al. (2008)
mentioned to calculate land use changes using spatial
calculation model. According to him land use changes
contradict with other types of land uses, therefore we need to
identify the unchanged part, converted part and increased part.
Land uses can be categorized under these three categories
using GIS overlay analysis. That research explained these three

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categories as follows:
I. Unchanged part- Same land use pattern exists during
case study period. This result in keeping the same
extent of subject use as in the beginning.
II. Converted part-Some specific land use has changed
into another use by the end of case study period. That
conversion of use is considered as the converted part.
This results in reducing the subject use extent and
increase another use or uses.
III. Increased part- The accumulated area for subject land
use pattern during the case study period. For example,
Agricultural area might be increased by clearing the
forest area. Then, it can be seen an increased area of
agricultural land (Xinhang et al. 2008). Further study
illustrated that situation in the following figure 1.
As a whole, land use changes are represented by either
converted part or increased part. At the same time, there is a
close relationship between these two. Because converted part
results in increasing another use and vice versa.
Xinchang et al. (2008) state results obtained from
spatial calculation model are used to find out why the situation
can take place by combining social and economic situations. The
result indicates the calculating analysis model of spatial
information and can derive a more accurate procedure of spatial
transference and increase all kinds of land from a microcosmic
angle. By this model and technology it is easy to conduct the
research of land use spatio-temporal structure evolution more
systematically and more deeply, and can obtain a satisfactory
result. And also in the case of application of these models GIS
can be used as a tool.
4. Methodology
On the basis of literature review and analysis, a model will be
proposed that will be able to improve to analyze the Land use

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changes in urban fringe area using GIS (Geographical
Information System). On this basis GIS plays a major role to
analyze existing situation compared with the past situation.
Further, field survey data collection (Discussion with villagers)
is used to correct doubtful areas of existing data. Hence, this
study consists of the following areas.
Study area consists of several GN divisions. And also
land use changes differ from each GN division. Hence all GN
divisions are selected to study. Therefore, Selected Sample is
the total area of Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha (HPS).
General objective of the research is to calculate the land
use changing rates for each use during 1981 to 2004. According
to the literature review, basically it requires collecting
secondary data and in case of the need, primary data for
verifying the secondary data. Therefore, based on availability of
secondary data, it has selected land use data in 1981 and 2004,
where 1981 data has to be moderated so that it is compatible
with 2004 data structure. Because in 1981 HPS area was
different from 2004 PS limits. Study is mainly based on field
survey for identifying land use changes and boundary
differences.
Though both data sets are past in 1981 and 2004, those
are different in extent and boundaries. And also 2004 data are
in digital format and in 1981 data are abstracted from a paper
map. Therefore, 1981 data has to be converted into digital
format using GIS and doubtful areas need to be checked.
Because, some Paddy land which appeared in 1981 has changed
into Rubber land. Generally, Paddy lands are not used for
Rubber cultivation. Likewise, general overview of accuracy of
the data should be rechecked and updated by using a field
survey. 1:2000 land use map prepared by the survey
department of Sri Lanka was use as a base map for analysis.
4.1 Development of Spatial Calculation Model
As discussed in the literature review, a Spatial Calculating

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Analysis model is a modification of numerical model for
measuring the land use changes. Hence, disadvantages of using
a numerical model can be minimized. Because it concerns not
only the state of beginning and end of a particular use but also
the variation of such uses throughout the study period.
The spatial calculating analysis model is based on GIS
overlay. It compartmentalizes the case study area land
(Homagama PS Area) into three spatial parts: like unchanged,
converted and increased areas. Following figure 4.1 illustrates
the concepts of Converted, Unchanged and Increased areas,
where LUi means the selected land use category. For example
Agriculture, Built up areas etc.
Figure 4.1 Land use classification according Spatial Calculating
analysis Model
Source: Developed based on spatial calculation model, XinChang et al, (2008)
By this model it is possible to evaluate the numerical model and
dynamic degree model for existing calculating changing speed
of land use. Furthermore the result rise reviving the calculating
analysis model of spatial information in order to predict the
dynamic changing level of all sorts of land. More concretely
speaking, the model is mainly to know the changing area and
changing speed (increased or decreased) of different land
classifications to clearly show the spatial distribution of
Unchanged Area
Increased Area
[LUi, 2004-UCi]
Converted Area
[LUi, 1981-UCi]
UC i

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changing urban lands. The result will benefit the planning and
management of land-use of HPS area in the future.
I. Unchanged part-Here, it can be seen that a particular
use remains unchanged during the case study period.
This results in keeping the same extent of subject use as
in the beginning. For example, unchanged Agricultural
land area during 1981-2004. GIS is used as a tool to
select this unchanged area. Accordingly, each similar
land use categories from 1981 and 2004 are taken and
overlapped to select the common area of each and it is
called the unchanged area of each category during 1981
to 2004, because these common areas are constant
during the study period.
II. Converted part- Some specific land use has changed
into another use by the end of the case study period
(1981-2004). For example, Agricultural land in 1981 has
converted into residential use by 2004. That conversion
of use is considered as converted part area of Agriculture
use. This results in reducing the subject use extent and
increase another use or uses.
4.2 Calculation of dynamic land use change rate for
converted area
Converted area means the area that has changed into another
use during the study period. For example 977.76 ha of Coconut
land has changed into another type of use by 2004. Hence, the
intensity of such a change can be measured by the following
formula.
CRi = (TA (i, 1981)-UCi)/TA (i, 1981)/ (2004-1981)*100%
In that model CR is converting rate per year, i is a particular
land use type, UC is unchanged area of relevant land use type
and TA is total area of that land use type.
III. Increased part- The accumulated area for subject land
use pattern during the case study period. For example,

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Agricultural area might be increased by clearing the
forest area. Then it can be seen an increased area of
agricultural land. Similarly, increased area is
accumulated or adjoined area of selected land use
category into another use during the research period.
For an example, some Paddy area in 1981 has been
converted into Residential use by 2004. That area is
called as increased area of Residential use etc.
As a whole, land use changes are represented by either
converted part or increased part. At the same time, there is a
close relationship between these two. Because converted part
results in increasing another use and vice versa.
4.3 Calculation of dynamic land use change rate for
increased area
Dynamic land use changes the rate of increased area of a
particular use, which measures the intensity of increase of a
particular land use type. This is also calculated using following
formula and result is in a percentage.
IRi= (TA (i, 2004)-UCi)/TA (i, 1981)/ (2004-1981)*100%
Here, IRi means the increasing rate percentage of a particular
land use pattern. All other variables are similar to converted
rate calculation formula.
4.4 Aggregate model for land use change analysis
To get a reasonable conclusion about land use changing speed
of a selected use, it is important to consider both conversion and
increasing parts. Therefore, Total changing speed or aggregate
land use change percentage is calculated as follows;
ARi= (TA (i, 1981)-UCi)/TA (i, 1981)/ (2004-1981)*100% + (TA (i, 2004)-UCi)/TA (i, 1981)/
(2004- 1981)*100%
ARi= CRi+ IRi

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5. Data Analysis
5.1 Case study area
Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha (HPS) is situated in the Western
Province of Sri Lanka within the Colombo district. It is located
21 Km away from the City of Colombo along the High level
road. The high growth in the City of Colombo during the past
decades has made an impact on Homagama to be developed as
a service center. Location of residential clusters, the Industrial
parks of Katuwana, Panagoda and Meegoda, Diyagama
International Sports Stadium, Main interchange of Southern
Highway, Nano Technology Park, Information technology park,
Godagama economic development center are the main service
centers attracted to the growth of this area. In the Colombo core
area plan, Homagama has been categorized as a fourth order
township. Further, Godagama, Habarakada, Meegoda and
Polgasowita are important sub-centers in the area. Homagama
is also linked and has interrelationship with the surrounding
service center of Athurugiriya, Kaduwela, Malabe,
Maharagama, Kottawa, Piliyandala, Horana, Padukka, Ingiriya
and Hanwella.
Figure 1: Location of case study area
Leg
en
d

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This area is predominantly an agricultural area and it consists
of a low residential density of 14 persons per Ha. During the
last inter censual period, population growth rate has been
increased up to 2.92% per annum. This growth rate is higher
when compared with the other local authorities in Colombo
district.
5.2 Existing Land Use Pattern
According to Homagama Development Plan, the land extent of
Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha area is 13,820 ha. Out of the
total land extent 48% (6572 ha.) is under residential use.
Agricultural use is 36% (4949 ha.) The agricultural land use is
decreasing with the growth of population. However,
agricultural sector is dominant in the local economy. The
existing land use pattern is shown in the following table 1 and
figure 1.
Land Use Extent (Ha) Percentage as a total land
1. Residential 6,572 47.56
2. Commercial 92.5 0.67
3. Industrial 379.5 2.74
4. State & Institutional 471 3.41
a)Security 220 1.59
b)Religious 64 0.46
c)Education 158 1.14
d)Parks & Play grounds 7 0.05
e)Cemeteries 22 0.15
5.Roads 756 5.47
6. Agriculture Lands 4,949 35.81
a. Paddy Fields 1,996 14.74
b. Coconut 744 5.38
c. Rubber 1,960 14.18
d. Other 249 1.8
7.Water Bodies 344 2.49
a. Reservoirs 40 0.28
b. Marshes 304 2.19
8. Excavations/ Quarries 93 0.67
9. Bare lands 163 1.17
Total Land Extent 13,820 100
Table 1 Land use in Homagama PS Area-2007
Source: Urban Development Authority

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In 2007, HPS area was updated and boundaries were changed.
So, 2007 land use map cannot be compared with the 1981 map.
Therefore 1981 and 2004 maps were selected for application of
spatial calculation model. The model illustrated the land use
changes of a 13 years period. But land use categories are
different in those two years; hence before applying the model it
should be converted to common land use categories. According
to that land use categories on two different years can be
classified as follows in figure 2.
Figure 2: Landuse Map Homagama
Source: Urban Development Authority

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Figure 3: Land use pattern of Homagama PS Area in 2004.
Land use pattern in1981
Description Area Ha Category Area Ha
Coconut 1345.42
Agriculture 7682.13
Other Plantation 261.54
Paddy 3287.27
Rubber 2787.90
Commercial 24.26
Built up Area 5587.63
Industrial 110.96
Residential 4185.39
Jeep or Cart Track 370.31
Main Road (A) 50.34
Main Road (B) 43.48
Minor Road 552.15
Defense Use 214.93
Religious 8.96
School 26.87
Ela 30.18
Environmentally sensitive areas 166.86
Marsh 106.74
River 27.76
Water Hole 2.18
Bare Land 470.92
Other uses 583.21
Clay Pits 16.93
Quarry 60.03
Scrub 18.05
Cemetery 15.27
Parks & Playgrounds 2.00
Total Area 14019.82

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Land use pattern in 2004
Description Category Area Ha
Coconut
Agriculture
6400.83
Other Crops
Paddy
Rubber
Commercial
Built Up Area 6979.60
Industrial
Residential
Local Road
PRDA Road
PS Road
Railway
RDA Road
Defense Use
Religious
School
Marshy Land
Environmentally sensitive areas
290.73Water Body
Open Space
Other uses 348.62
Vacant Land
Clay Pits
Quarry
Cemetery
Parks & Playgrounds
Total Area 14019.78
Figure. 4: Changes of four major land use categories during 1981-2004
According to the above figure 4.3, in 1981 Agriculture was the
major land use category in Homagama PS area which was
about 54.8% of total area. However Agriculture use has reduced

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up to 45.54% of the total area by 2004. Secondly, Built up area
consists of 5587.63 Ha or 39.85% of total area in 1981 and it
has increased up to 49.78% by the year 2004. Hence, it is
obvious that the trend is to convert agricultural land into built
up areas like residential, commercial and industrial etc.
In addition to those, environmentally sensitive areas
and other uses like bare land, scrubs etc are 1.19% and 4.16%
respectively in 198. But by 2004 aforesaid other uses have
reduced and environmentally sensitive lands have increased.
Construction of new irrigation systems and declaration of
irrigation reservation areas caused to increase the areas which
are environmentally sensitive by 2004.
As in the above figures, it is only possible to determine
the changes of each category. For example agriculture uses are
being converted into built up areas etc. But it doesn’t give a
clear index to determine the conversion trend accurately. As
described in the literature review numerical models are not
reliable and accurate. Therefore “Spatial Calculating Analysis
Model” can use be used as follows;
6. Application
Data analysis is basically done by using GIS and MS Excel.
Here, when analyzing data, GIS is used as an analytical tool,
data processing tool and data presentation mode. Therefore, it
is possible to obtain reliable data so that it can be used to
prepare maps, charts etc.
6.1 Data Modification using GIS
In this study 2004 land use information are compared with the
1981 land use information. Basically, Spatial data are used to
calculate the spatial land use changing rates. Hence, both year
data should be in same area extent. Therefore, in 1981 data
need to be selected and a GIS data set has to be created similar
to 2004 area extent.

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And also in 1981 paper map doesn’t indicate the declared area
for Defense use. But actually that area should appear in 1981
data too. So such modifications are done prior to data analysis.
6.2 Data analyze using GIS
At first it needs to identify separate themes for each land use
category from both 1981 and 2004 data sets. For instance,
Agriculture uses themes in 1981 and 2004 etc. There are four
different themes for each land use category so that it is able to
compare one another.
Those are
 Agriculture use
 Built up areas
 Environmentally sensitive areas
 Other uses
6.3 Comparison of land use changes 1981-2004 in HPS
Area
When taken the whole built up area into consideration, an
important category of the land use change is residential. Other
land uses in built up area are not significant.
Total Land use changing rates during 1981-2004
When considering all the above information land use changing
rates for each category can be calculated using Spatial
Calculation Model. Hence it is easy to identify not only the total
conversion rates or intensity of land use changes but also
Converting rates and increasing rates for each land use
category. And also based on aggregate land use changing rates
(AR), it is possible to predict the future trend of each land use
changes in Hectare. Therefore, both extent and changing rate
need to be considered to get a comprehensive idea of changes.
For example by 2004 total agriculture area is about 6400
Ha and its changing rate is 3.86% p.a. Therefore, it can be
assumed that by 2005 agriculture use might change by 247 Ha.

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Further, this result can be analyzed according to
converting rate and increasing rate. In that scenario 146 Ha of
agriculture land is to be converted into another use by year
2005. Accordingly, Figure 3 indicates the land use changing
pattern of major four categories Agriculture, Built up Areas,
Environmentally sensitive area and other uses. However land
use changing pattern of main four categories (Figure 3) doesn’t
give a clear idea about its use. Hence, Table 3 indicates the
detailed analysis of each land use with Converting rates and
increased rates and ultimately aggregate land use changing
rates (AR) for each land use category. Therefore it is easy to
identify and predict the most endangered Agriculture use etc.
for example paddy land is more sensitive to change-66 Ha per
annum. Accordingly, changing pattern of each use can be
predicted using AR rates.
Also table 4 and 5 indicate detail land use changes
according to spatial calculation model.

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Figure 5: Main Categories of Land use changing during 1981-2004

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Following table suggests the predicted land use changes in the
future. Therefore, it is easy to identify the highly converting
uses, highly increasing uses etc. So, these results can be used to
prepare plans, policies, and regulations to make comprehensive
and sustainable development of Homagama PS area.
Land Use
Type
Land
area
2004 (Ha)
Convertin
g rate %
Predicted
area to
Convert
(Ha)
Increasi
ng rate %
Predicted
area to
Increase
(Ha)
Bare land 108.71 3.34 3.63 0 0.00
Coconut 1001.48 3.16 31.65 2.05 20.53
Commercial 55.39 0 0.00 5.58 3.09
Excavation &
Quarry 202.24 0.64 1.29 5.54 11.20
Industrial 169.12 0 0.00 2.28 3.86
Other Crops 221.38 3.95 8.74 3.28 7.26
Paddy 2792.42 1.52 42.44 0.86 24.01
Residential 6005.52 1.59 95.49 3.48 208.99
Roads 335.11 4.05 13.57 1.14 3.82
Rubber 2385.54 2.63 62.74 2.01 47.95
State &
Institutional 452.13 0 0.00 2.99 13.52
Marshy area 290.73 1.79 5.20 5.02 14.59
Table 3: Predicted land use changes per annum based on changing
rates
Above table mentioned the predicted land use changes in the
future and it will add more understanding to decision makers
about changing pattern of the area.

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Table 4: Land use changing rates based on Spatial Calculation
Analysis Model 1981-2004
According to the above table 4.3, Agriculture land use changing
rate is only about 3.86% per annum. Which is the lowest
changing rate compared with other uses. And also highest
changing rate of the water bodies are 6.81% per annum. But
the impact of these rates depends on the total area of each use.
Therefore that impact on each land can be identified in
“Intensity of Changing per Annum (Ha)” column in table 4.3.
LandUseType
Areain1981(Ha)
Areain2004(Ha)
Unchange
dPart
Converted
part
Increased
part
ChangingRate(AR)%
IntensityofChanging
perAnnum(Ha)
Area
TotalArea
%
Area
TotalArea
%
Convertin
gRate
Area
TotalArea
%
Increasing
Rate
Agricul
ture 7682.12 6400.83 3630.2 25.89 4051.91 28.9 2.29 2770.59 19.76 1.57 3.86 247.07
Built
up
Area 5587.63 6979.6 3123.9 22.28 2481.01 17.7 1.92 3873.05 27.77 3 4.92 343.40
Water
Bodies 166.86 290.73 98.14 0.7 68.72 0.49 1.79 192.59 1.37 5.02 6.81 19.80
Other
uses 583.26 348.62 189.77 1.35 234.65 0.87 2.93 0 0.86 1.18 4.12 14.36
Total
Area
14019.8
7
14019.7
7

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LandUseType
UnchangedPart
Convertedpart
Increasedpart
Changing
Rate(AR)%
Intensityof
changingHap.a
Area
TotalArea%
Area
TotalArea%
Converting
Rate
Area
TotalArea%
Increasing
Rate
Bare 108.7 0.78 108.7 0.78 3.34 0 0 0 3.34 3.63
Coconut 367.64 2.62 977.76 6.97 3.16 633.81 4.52 2.05 5.21 52.18
Commercial 24.26 0.17 0 0 0 31.14 0.22 5.58 5.58 3.09
Excavation
& Quarry 81.07 0.58 13.95 0.1 0.64 121.18 0.86 5.54 6.18 12.50
Industrial 110.96 0.79 0 0 0 58.16 0.41 2.28 2.28 3.86
Other Crops 23.92 0.17 237.62 1.69 3.95 197.47 1.41 3.28 7.23 16.01
Paddy 2139.91 15.26 1147.36 8.18 1.52 652.51 4.65 0.86 2.38 66.46
Residential 2651.9 18.92 1533.48 10.94 1.59 3353.3 23.92 3.48 5.08 305.08
Roads 68.75 0.49 947.53 6.76 4.05 266.35 1.9 1.14 5.19 17.39
Rubber 1098.73 7.84 1689.17 12.05 2.63 1286.8 9.18 2.01 4.64 110.69
State &
Institutional 268.03 1.91 0 0 0 184.1 1.31 2.99 2.99 13.52
Marshy area 98.14 0.7 68.72 0.49 1.79 192.59 1.37 5.02 6.81 19.80
Table 5: Separate Land use changing rates based on Spatial
Calculation Analysis Model 1981-2004
7. Conclusion
The spatial calculating analysis model can be used to analyze
the land use changes from a microcosmic aspect, taking the
converted and increased parts of land use changes into account
as well, which can actually reflect the land use changing
degree, especially the land use category that is increased and

2891
converted actively. At the same time, the model can calculate
the dynamic changing degree of all kinds of land use categories.
Based on the spatial calculating model, combining with the
regional characters in HPS area in the past twenty three years
1981-2004, the following conclusions can be made;
The spatial changing of land use and urbanization are
synchronous processes, and the urbanization agrees with the
principle of the spatial distribution. Most obviously agricultural
lands tend to convert to Residential and Commercial uses.
Hence, in HPS area both Residential and Commercial land uses
have increased by 5.58% and 3.48% per annum respectively.
Where the most significant scenario is Commercial land use in
1981 has not converted in to another use during the past
twenty three years. Hence, Converting rate of Commercial use
is 0%.
Paddy, Coconut and Rubber are the main agricultural
uses in Homagama PS area. However, the trend is all such
crops being converted into other uses like Residential,
Commercial etc. their converting rates are 1.52%, 3.16% and
2.63% per annum respectively for Paddy, Coconut and Rubber.
Meanwhile those uses are being increased by 0.86%, 2.05% and
2.01% per annum. Net result is again to decrease such uses.
Hence, self-sufficiency of the area is being diminished.
Specially, rise of paddy and coconut prices are seriously
harmful for the living standard of the poor.
Land use changing rate of other crops is 7.23% per
annum in which Converting rate is 3.95% per annum while
increasing rate is 3.28% per annum. Hence, the ultimate result
is to decrease the land use for other crops. This badly affects on
environmental as well as economical sustainability.
As far as the spatial land use changes are concerned, the
nature of land use in urban fringe is the most complex and
unstable. It has a great trend to be changed into land for
constructions. Without systematic control the built-up area will
be extended to a large scale, which will lead to the sharp

2892
decrease of greenery. In short, the utilization of land for
construction and the decrease of the greenery in the suburb will
arise numerous ecological and environmental problems.
Therefore it is important to reinforce the regulation of land use
control.
According to the analysis, different actions should be
taken to manage land use areas during the planning and
management of the land in the future. In Homagama area
where land use is much dynamic, town planners, local
authorities and property developers need to enhance the land-
use efficiency to make the best use of land when land-use
development, sustainable development, ecologic and
environmental protection are considered.
This model can be used to predicate land use changes in
the urban fringe. Its advanced numerical calculations suggest
improvement for future research.
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