Abstract:
Cities are typically complex notions with multiple dimensions and interpretations. The
human landscape in cities is a unique phenomenon that undergoes temporal and spatial
changes due mainly to the influence of industrialization, urbanization, and globalization.
Among these factors, the nature of the services offered by various urban centers and the
periphery of receiving such services generate urban dynamics. A dynamic involves the
modification or enhancement of an existing situation. This study aims to identify and
analyze the most substantial elements of Dry Zone urban dynamics created by the
combination of three components, namely the performance of the periphery, the behavior
of the city, and city-using third parties. Under the method of purposive sampling, three
urban centers and nine periphery villages were selected for the study based on the mean
of all urban service centers. This study used primary and secondary data and they were
analyzed using statistical methods, Geospatial techques and qualitative analytical method
for styding the dynamics. One of the most important findings of this study is that the
functions of the service centers in the Dry Zone are taking precedence over the peripheral
requirements. In addition, the distribution of functions of the service centers varies across
urban service centers, however the type of functions is comparable. Consequently, the
vertical spread of the city is currently faster than its horizontal spread. Although the urban
dynamics and the agricultural sector may coexist, it is influenced by numerous other
complex aspects. Among such aspects, the tourism business, the trend toward non-
agricultural employment, and the shift in mindset produced by the rise in education have
been the most prominent. At present it is difficult to measure the urban dynamic with
traditional parameters and it is needed to analyze the new factors which are developing
in dry zone urban environment, and it could be take at least another 10 years of period to
show real picture of the urban dynamics in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka.