A sustainable neighbourhood is a dynamic unit that continually self-adjusts to meet the economic and social needs of its residents while protecting the environment. Today’s world is composed of a giant network of interconnected communities. A small urban neighbourhood community can be a model unit to begin a unique movement towards urban sustainability.

Ancient Sri Lankans had developed a self-sustaining community water in the village level. Sri Lanka has two seasons, wet season and dry season.  Similar to Peachland there has been a significant difference in the water supply and availability. Therefore, Kings who ruled the country 2000 years ago developed built huge reservoirs that stored water for the dry season. This system integrated number of micro level systems in villages to create a practical and sustainable water centric civilization. The village design, agriculture and social cohesion were developed based on the village tank. There is a famous adage by the great king Parakramabahu “not even a little water that comes from the rain must flow into the ocean without being made useful to man”.

A review of the tank cascade system of ancient Sri Lanka.

In ancient Sri Lanka use of irrigation water during drought periods is also organized according to traditional practice of “Bethma cultivation”, where only a portion of the rice fields are cultivated. This method emphasizes the corporation, collaboration and empathy towards the colleges. Rather than thinking about increasing wealth, traditional farmers were concerned about future of the whole community.

A review of the “bethma cultivation”

The Euro centric thinking prevents human from addressing problems using proven methods that have been used for centuries. Is this the time to go back exploring the lost glory of the past?