Policy
Sponsors
Post Tsunami
A short inspirational film about PIA’s work in Sri Lanka can be found here
PIA has developed a partnership with the Sri Lankan Government, through the Institute of Town Planners of Sri Lanka (ITPSL), to assist in targeted planning projects to assist in redeveloping areas hit by the December 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka. Many towns and communities were devastated by the tsunami, and the country is in the process of undertaking mass planning and redevelopment, to rebuild the communities devastated by disaster, and to assist the development of the many communities that have suffered from secondary effects of the tsunami, including internal migration and damage to livelihoods.
A range of tasks and activities have been specified which focus largely on strategic planning at the national, regional and local level, settlement planning, urban design and coastal planning for areas affected by the tsunami. Assistance will include a strong component of capacity building for Sri Lankan planners based on a long term education and training program. Ultimately, we see Australian planners working in the field in support of Sri Lankan planners helping them develop and deliver locally relevant, sustainable solutions.
The PIA project is supported by AusAID for five years and the Australian Red Cross for two years.
- Urban Planner Hayley Henderson volunteered her time to write summaries of project documents produced by our volunteers in Sri Lanka. Thanks to Hayley and to Michael Baranovic, who undertook the graphic design of the summaries.
- Click here to read the blogs from Sam Kernaghan, volunteer in team 1
- Letters from Sri Lanka, by Paul Johnson (PIA volunteer from Planning SA) - 20th March 2007
- Letters from Sri Lanka, by Paul Johnson (PIA volunteer form Planning SA) - 28th March 2007
Background
Project Outline
Project Management
Funding
Updates
Australian Planner Articles
Background
In March 2005, shortly after the tsunami, PIA was invited to Sri Lanka to participate in a post tsunami workshop hosted by the Institute of Town Planners in Sri Lanka (ITPSL). Several Australian planners and PIA members attended including former PIA National President, Marcus Spiller. As a result of this workshop, PIA developed a stronger relationship with the ITPSL and through them, a relationship has developed with the Sri Lankan Government. As a result, Australian planners were formally invited by the Sri Lankan Government to assist with planning, redevelopment and capacity building in the tsunami affected regions of Sri Lanka.
This was being driven through a partnership agreement with the Minister for Urban Development and Water Supply to assist in targeted planning projects in Sri Lanka. The Minister wrote to PIA seeking planning assistance by working with the National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) together with the Institute of Town Planners of Sri Lanka (ITPSL).
This invitation followed two representatives from the Sri Lankan Government (and members of ITPSL) attending PIA National Congress in Melbourne, April 2005, and taking part in a special tsunami workshop in which issues and ideas for planning and reconstruction in affected areas was discussed and workshopped. The Sri Lankan representatives were able to travel to Australia and attend this event thanks to funding and support received by AusAID, specifically through the International Seminar Support Scheme. PIA would also like to recognise Emergency Management Australia’s support and involvement in the Congress tsunami workshop.
In developing its response the PIA has focused on building a strong working relationship with key organisations that share an interest in post-tsunami assistance to Sri Lanka. PIA is seeking to join as many like-minded partners with an understanding of the planning needs and aspirations of developing nations to this program. PIA has developed a partnership with Australian Volunteers International (AVI) in managing and coordinating the volunteer program. AVI has proved an indispensable factor in the project's success and PIA is extremely grateful for their support.
Project Outline
The Minister’s request focused on strategic planning at the national, regional and local level, settlement planning, urban design and coastal planning for areas affected by the tsunami, priorities identified at the 2005 ITPSL workshop in Sri Lanka. The Minister specifically asked that programs of assistance include a strong component of capacity building for Sri Lankan planners based on a long term education and training program.
Priority tasks identified to date by the Sri Lankan Government include:
- Assistance with base mapping of tsunami affected areas and settlements on the eastern, northern and southern coasts
- High level long term strategic planning and integrated infrastructure coordination at the national and regional level with the NPPD
- Local level planning in respect to detailed town plans, urban development frameworks and detailed site planning
- Capacity building of Sri Lankan planners at the national, regional and local level through structured training and education programs delivered in Sri Lanka and Australia including short term work experience in Australia and specific project work in Sri Lanka
Download more information about the proposed activities and deliverables here.
The project will be professionally managed in Australia and in Sri Lanka but will be highly dependent on potential planners from Australia volunteering their skills, and committing their time and effort to deliver project outcomes. Living allowances will be paid to volunteers in country and if possible airfares will be met by project funding.
Project Management
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PIA employs two staff members to manage the project in Australia and on the ground in Sri Lanka. Project Coordinator – Micaela Drieberg The Project Director operates primarily from the PIA Victorian Division Office in Melbourne. Her role is to:
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- Expand the sponsorship base of the program to enable delivery over the targeted period (5 years)
- Document the project’s progress and provide all necessary accountability reports to project sponsors, including AusAID
Project Manager – Hemantha Jayasundera (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
The Project Manager is based in Sri Lanka is responsible for:
- Refining and agreeing the briefs for specific ‘packets’ of work under the three on-site program areas – base mapping, high level planning and local plans
- Identifying specific skill requirements that can be sourced from Australian volunteer planners
- Reporting and monitoring the achievement of agreed milestones for each ‘packet’ of work;
Overall evaluation of the impact and the benefits generated by the on-site component of the project - Day to day liaison with Sri Lankan partners
Funding
If you have ideas on potential funding resources, or would like to make a donation to assist this project, please contact PIA National Office. Your support will be acknowledged on the PIA project website.
Updates
PIA provides regular updates on the program through a variety of member communications, at various stages of program development.
Australian Planner Articles
| March 2006 | Tsunami response - one year on |
| June 2006 | We welcome Hemantha Jayasundera |
| September 2006 | Project office now open |
| December 2006 | Postcard from Sri Lanka by Mary Hoffmann |
| March 2007 | Postcard from Sri Lanka by Sam Kernaghan |
| June 2007 | Postcard from Sri Lanka by Steve Dunn |
| September 2007 | Postcard from Sri Lanka by Stephanie Knox |
| December 2007 | Postcard from Sri Lanka by Sue Holliday |
| March 2008 | Reclaiming the Beach by Jenny Donovan |
| March 2008 | Postcard from Sri Lanka by Stuart Carr |
| June 2008 | Post Tsunami Reconstruction Planning Support Project in Sri Lanka |
| September 2008 | Postcard from Sri Lanka by Asanthika Kappagoda |
| September 2009 | Postcard from Sri Lanka by Clare Hall |
| December 2009 | Warringah Council's experience with Sri Lanka Exchange Program |