Urban Agriculture and Sacred Landscape: Anuradhapura Sacred City, Sri Lanka

Urban agriculture in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's ancient sacred city (377 BCE–1017 CE), played a pivotal role in creating a sustainable and spiritually enriching environment. Large water tanks, paddy fields, and canal systems were not merely functional but integral to the Buddhist sacred landscape, fostering human connection with nature while supporting the city's sustenance. This study reveals that these agricultural elements were central to everyday life, shaping social practices and enhancing human well-being through their integration into the urban form and cultural rituals. By synthesizing phenomenology, anthropology, landscape analysis, and historical methods, the research demonstrates how Anuradhapura's design harmonized practical needs with sacred experiences, offering a model for sustainable urban development rooted in spiritual values.

DE SILVA, W. (2018). URBAN AGRICULTURE AND SACRED LANDSCAPE: ANURADHAPURA SACRED CITY, SRI LANKA. Sustainable Development and Planning X, 1, 941–952. https://doi.org/10.2495/sdp180791