SPICE MARKET

INTRODUCTION

Project is developed as a response to the drawbacks in Sri Lankan spice trade NATIONAL LEVEL LOCAL LEVEL
and the slow development in Matale town. RESPONSE RESPONSE

From time immemorial, Sri Lanka has been synonymous with spices. The little Development of spice Identifying Matale as a
island is most famous for the unique variety of cinnamon grown on its shores. In trade by introducing a town with a stagnant
addition, the country also counts quite a few other spices among its agricultural proper market system economy and
exports. and educating farmers importance of
through Department of revitalizing the town.
In 2015 alone, Sri Lanka’s spice exports amounted to USD 377 million, up from
Export Agriculture
USD 264 million the previous year. Compared to the country’s total export earnings
of USD 10.5 billion, the above figures amount to nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
On the other hand, those figures say nothing about the country’s proud attachment to SPICE TRADE URBAN REVITALIZATION
DEVELOPMENT
its spices, which is why it is important to implement plans to increase the spice export
production.
The proposed spice market will restructure the traditional market chain by SPICES
bridging the different parties involved in spice industry. Moreover being the highest spice
growing district with a long historical background, economy of Matale is stagnated. URBAN
Therefore the market place will become the initiator of the future urban development REVITALIZATION
which is evolved around spice industry and tourism.
TOURISM

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 PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Project

Spice Market at Matale

The Site

A vacant land plot at the center of the town with access from both of the main roads.

The Client

Department of Export Agriculture

The User

Primary user:
 Spice producers
 Spice and allied products manufacturers
 Spice exporters
 Distillery / confectionery owners
Secondary user:
 Residential population
 commuter population

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 CHAPTER ONE
The Contextual Analysis
Macro Context

Coordinates: from 80. 28˚ to 80.59˚

Eastern longitudes & from 7.24˚ to
8.01˚Nothern latitudes
Area: 1993.3 km2
Population: 502 000
Labor force: 161866
Neighboring districts:
 North - Anuradhapura
 East- Polonnaruwa,Badulla,
Ampara
 West – Kurunegala
 South- Kandy Province – Central District – Matale District capital - Matale

History
Matale district lies in the hill country amidst serene mountain ranges; Knuckles and Wilshire. And its history runs to the
beginning of first century BC when orally transmitted Buddhism was first written on ola leaves at Aluvihare cave temple.
Aluvihare served for the preservation of Buddhism ever since.
Matale was also a site of a major battle in 1848 when the Matale Rebellion started and the British garrison in the Fort
McDowall in Matale was placed under siege by the rebels led by Weera Puran Appu and Gongalegoda Banda who are
considered as national heroes in Sri Lanka.
This Historical city was also home to Monarawila Keppetipola, another national hero who led the Wellasa rebellion
against the British troops. His ancestral home, the Kappetipola walawuwa is still present at Hulangamuwa, Matale.

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 Aluvihare cave temple Writing Pali Canon Weera Puran Appu memorial Fort McDowall

Economy
Matale's fame and allure is however not limited solely to its history,
for in the ages past Matale was referred to as the Fruit Bowl of Sri Lanka and
also as Sri Lanka's Spice Garden. The Matale soil accompanied and bolstered
by a temperate cool climate that it works its own natural magic and provides
a basket of fruits and vegetables in abundance. Add to this the number and
variety of herbs and spices such as vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, Keppetipola walawwa
chilies, cardamom, ginger and more which are grown here and thrive
without any seeming effort by man and the result is amazing. No other area in Lanka can boast of the range of
produce that finds a home here. It has been shown that the Matale soil records the fastest growth and the highest
yield of flora than in any other part of the land.
Therefore the economic activities in Matale are mainly focused on estate plantation and agriculture
production for export and domestic consumption. Moreover most of the people who are engaged in these
activities belongs to the rural community and least benefited. The economic growth of the district is low due to
the unorganized market structure, inadequate domestic resources and considerable reduction in direct
investments.
Land use map of Matale district
However in the recent decades Dambulla economic center has developed the economy of Dambulla town
which in the boundary of Matale district. Though the advantages are not flowed to the other parts of the district.

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Climate
Climate of the district is greatly influenced by its topographic diversity. Matale valley has its own topo-climate while lowland Dambulla
area is underlying typical dry zonal climate. Climate of the summits of Dumbara Hills is much cooler and wetter. The district is experienced by
both monsoons. But the north-east monsoon is heavier than the south-west monsoon. Matale is a city with a significant rainfall. Even in the
driest month there is a lot of rain.
Ecology
Central, southwest and west parts of
the district contains, up-country rain forests.
Northern and Laggala-Wilgamuwa parts
contain low country dry forests. The knuckles mountain range is extremely high in bio-diversity.
According to “ Environmental Profile of Matale District” compiled by Central Environmental
Authority there are at least five types of vegetation types in Matale District including low-land semi
ever green tropical forests, Sub-montane tropical wet semi-evergreen forests, Montane tropical
evergreen forests, Montane grasslands and Pigmy forests.
Geographical location
There are three major geographical divisions of the district which are Northern Flat Lands,
Matale Valley and Knuckles Mountain Ranges. There are several tanks locate in this rough land since
the ancient times including Kandalama, Dewahuwa, Inamaluwa, Talkote and Sigiriya. Matale area is
nicely placed in a valley and surrounded by many mountains and hills. Knuckles, Guruluhela,
Pansaltenna, Ovilikanda and Hunnasgiriya are lying among huge mountains. Knuckles is 4000 feet in
height and this is the one of highly protected area and natural heritage in the island
Matale is also rich with matural minerals. Laggala, Kaluganga and Hattota Amuna have been
famous for gems over many years. Wariyapola and Kaikawala are famous for mica. Talagoda and
Owala- Rattota are famous for ceramics and also lime and granite industry have functioned as a
major scale industry in this district.

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Tourism
Matale district is abundant with tourist attractions due to its historical and natural environment.

Kandalama
Sigiriya

Dambulla
Economic Center Dambulla Rock
cave temple

Nalanda Gedige Wasgamuwa Park

Spice Gardens Sembuwatta

Aluvihare Temple
Riverston

Sri Muththumari
Amman Kovil
Sera ella

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Micro Context Coordinates: 7°28′7″N 80°37′22″E
Matale town is the district capital where the administration institutes, schools, Area of Municipality: 9 km2
banks, market places are located. The highest population in the district is located in Density / km2: 4200
Matale town area. Population: 36 462
Distance to neighboring towns:
Economy  Kandy – 24 km
During past decade economy of Matale was highly affected by the growing  Dambulla – 64 km
economy of Dambulla and Kandy which are closely situated to Matale. Most of the  Kurunegala – 52 km
businesses are closed and businessmen are discouraged to make additions to their
existing business. Most of the youth move to Kandy or Colombo in search of jobs after school education due
to inadequate job opportunities.
Economically active population Major Industry group
Male Female Agriculture Industrial Services
59.9% 40.1% 37.6 22.2 40.1

The annual growth rate of Employment is 0.8% while Growth rate of population is 1%

Tourism
As mentioned above many tourist attractions are
closely located to Matale town and itineraries pass
through the town. Yet, the town area has not become a
destination.

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Land use

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Priority projects by Urban Development Authority

1. By pass road development 8. Gongawala shopping complex

2. Relocating police quarters 9. Pedestrian walkways
3. Bus depot construction 10. Inner city beautification
4. Main bus stand 11. Cinema
5. Vehicle parking 12. Library development
6. Commercial complex 13. McDowall garden renovation
7. Farmers’ Market

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Commercial block

Nodes

Clock Tower Junction Bus stand Junction

(The most active node (The second active node
connecting leading schools, connecting leading schools and
offices and transportation) transportation)

Railway Station Junction Nuga gahamula Junction

(The connection to the railway (The entry point from Dambulla
station, Main bus stand and & Jaffna)
farmers’ Market)

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Landmarks

Gana devi kovil Matale Railway Station (Terminus station on the line from Colombo)

Bauddha Mandiraya Sri Muththumari Amman Kovil

(Buddhist Center) (Main tourist Attraction)
Clock tower Wilshire Mountain as a backdrop to the town

Buddhist shrine room

Paththini Devalaya St. Thomas Church Post Office at Nuga gaha mula junction

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Paths

Pathway from
Railway Station to
Shopping Street next to existing Clock Tower and
Shopping complex (dedicated to Wilshire Mountain
saree shops, footwear and behind the Clock
jewellery) Tower

Internal alleyways
that connects bare
Main Street (A9) plots in the middle.
with one way traffic
from above

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SWOT Analysis

Strengths

 Leading district in spice cultivation

 Availability of transport for farmers to reach the town Centre
 Located along Sri Lanka itineraries
 Serene Environment which is surrounded by mountain ranges
 Developed infrastructure facilities
 Availability of labour Small scale spice farmers

 District capital with lot of daily activities

 Historical background with archaeological sites within town limit
 Availability of road and railway systems.

Weaknesses
 Haphazard commercial development
 Resident populations’ tend to visit Kandy for commodities.
 Lack of parking facilities and traffic congestion
Matale Batik center Lacquer ware
Opportunities
 Potential for promote tourism
 Availability of government identified potential land for development
 Ability to connect spice promotion activities with traditional art and craft industries in Matale district (Lacquer ware, Ceramic ware, sesath,
Traditional drummers and dancers)

Threats
 Natural disasters
Surrounding Mountain ranges
 Limited number of government owned land

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The Site

St.St.
Thomas
Thomas
Girls’
Girls’
School
College
St. Thomas Church
N

Shopping Complex

SITE Mini bus stand

5400m2

Mezzan Terrace
(A bazaar)

Buddhist Center

Railway Station

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 CHAPTER TWO
Project Approach
The Background of the Project
Spice Trade in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is known historically for cultivation of spices such as cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamoms, nutmeg and mace and seventy
percent spice production comes from farm units of less than 1ha of land. Spices currently constitute an important sub-sector of the agricultural
sector and contribute 0.75 percent in value to the total gross domestic product. Exports constitute 1.5 percent of total exports and 8 percent
of agricultural exports.

Spice and allied products export performance

Over 90% of these products are being exported to the main end users i.e. flavour,
fragrance and Pharmaceutical industries. Sri Lanka exports spices to about 70 countries of which
20 are major importers who provide a stable market. Spices have become main cash earner for
farmers in spice growing areas during recent decades. Foreign exchange earn have shown a
fourfold increase between 1996 and 2005.

Composition of Exports, Jan- Dec 2016

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 Market Annual
Spice Seasons Area Exportable products Price/ kg production
Share
(MT)
March & April,
Galle,Matara,Rathnapura, Quills, Cut pieces, Cinnamon leaf
Cinnamon September & 28 % Rs. 1500- 3000 16 000
October Badulla, Matale oil & Bark oil

August & Matale, Kandy, Kegalle, Black pepper, White pepper,

Pepper September
1.7% Rs. 600-1000 14 000
Gampaha,Badulla Crushed powder
Clove March & April Matale, Kandy, Kegalle Clove bud, Clove steam, Oil 4.1% Rs. 1000 4 000
September &
Nutmeg October
Matale, Kandy, Kegalle Oil, Ground 3.1% Rs. 400-500 2 000
September &
Mace October
Matale, Kandy, Kegalle 3.1% Rs. 1000-1500

Cardamom May & June Matale, Knuckles Oil, seed 0.16% Rs. 3000-4000 100

Vanilla Matale, Kandy essence 0.23% Rs. 2000-4000 1-2

Spices and other minor export crops

Cinnamon Mace
White Ginger
Pepper Coffee
Fresh Cocoa
pepper Gamboge
Cardamom Clove
Nutmeg Areca
Betel

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 Issues and Challenges in Sri Lankan spice trade

Over the years spice-based farming is facing a variety of issues and

challenges including productivity, market, technology and institutional
constraints.
Marketing related constraints have been the most important in this
set. This unorganized nature of marketing and the traditional supply chain
have generated a mismatch in the quality of spices, leading to frequent price
fluctuations. These constraints have led to low value added in the chain, low
incentives to farmers, low farmers’ income, and sluggish growth of the spice
sector, creating unsustainability of the farming system.
The impact of the modern retailing and allied changes introduced in
the last two decades has been profound at restructured markets and small
scale spice producers’ levels. Rapid and continuous changes in domestic and
export procurement systems have created a new demand pattern shifting the
focus to continuous supply of high quality, value added products with
improved processing, packaging, and labelling. Small scale spice producers
have not been able to go along with the new marketing trends.
The traditional supply chain is inefficient due to the presence of
unnecessary middlemen. In Sri Lanka a large amount of spices are produced
at home garden level by small scale farmers and they are less informed about
current trends in spice trade as they do not get to contact the exporter or
Marketing channels of spices processors directly. The producer is not aware of the quality expected by the
export market and the demand for value added products.

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Project Justification
Why Spice market?
Spice Market will restructure the traditional supply chain while •Farmers
increasing the interaction between the players in spice industry. •Medium scale
(Growers, traders, processors, processors with direct links with PRODUCERS producers
exporters and exporters)The client; Department of Export Agriculture •Large scale
manufacturers
will act as a mediator between producers and exporters to improve the
efficiency of the supply chain. The value added products will be •Act as the
promoted and sold at the same place. mediator
DEPARTMENT OF eliminating the
Moreover a market is an important public space in the city and EXPORT unnecessary
AGRICULTURE middleman in
best suited as a strategy project in urban revitalization master plan. traditional supply
chain
•Local consumer
•Distillary/confecti
CONSUMERS onary owners
City Spce

Meeting place Social exchange

•Outstation sellers
•Exporters
Market place Goods & services

Connection space Public space

“For a community with few public spaces, a market can become its de-facto civic square in the broadest sense of the term – a place where
people of diverse ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds come to shop, meet, and mingle. Indeed, markets have the potential
to be the most socially diverse public place in a community around the common experiences of food, shopping, culture, and conversation. In
such markets, cultural barriers are dissolved, traditionally marginalized residents are empowered, and differences are celebrated.” – Project for
public spaces

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Benefits of a market

 Attract shoppers to a neighborhood commercial

district
 Provide affordable retailing opportunities for
small businesses
 Preserve farming / farmland in region
 Supply a community with access to fresh food
 Create an inviting, safe and lively public space
that attracts a wide range of people.

Place making strategies for markets

 Select the right location

o Near center of town with visibility and
accessibility
 Design the market as a public space
o Introduce functions other than
commerce to let people spent their time
in the market Towards making a great place;
 Promote the market as a community destination  A variety of uses and activities that build off and synergize with the vendors.
 Emphasize what makes the community unique
 Accessible to the community and linked to its surrounding spaces.
 Recruit vendors who reflect the community and
region  A comfortable, fun, and attractive place.
 Manage  A social place that is a center of community life.

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Project Objectives
The vision
To reorganize the market system in Sri Lankan spice industry
Educating the prime player in supply chain; the spice farmers. Informing the demand for organic spices and further encouraging them to do
value addition to the harvest.
Revitalizing Matale town through spice and tourism. Introducing a SPICE TRAIL through the town commercial zone as a celebration of spices
while improving basic amenities of the town.
The mission
Use spice as an economic, city imagebility and sustainability generator within a town which ultimately leads to a boost in the national level
spice trade.

Objectives
Celebrating spices of the island to increase the production
Creating a platform for small scale farmers to directly interact with buyers.
Encourage organic farming practices to increase the value of the product and to promote sustainability.
Improving the public spaces within the town for urban revitalization.
Making Matale city a destination for tourists.
Creating suitable job opportunities for youth who tend to move from the town into cities.
Introducing a green layer into the city through creating pocket spice gardens in dilapidated land plots in the heart of the city.
Making the town more walkable and connected.
Improving the other industries (Lacquer ware, ceramic, batik & other crafts) in Matale along with spice promotion

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Approach to the design
Precedent Studies
Same type of projects
Spice bazaar, Istanbul

Clear circulation for buyers to experience

the bazaar

Khari Baoli, India

Use of colours

Clear entrance

Multi-functional roof terrace

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Same type of situations / context
Santa Catarina Market, Barcelona by Architect Enric Miralles

Matching with the context through

introducing a similar language to the
facades
Making linkages from many sides of
the block
Building elements inspired from the
context.

Increased walkability
Use of colours and material
Less contasting at the eye level
Massing to match the context

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Pompidou Center, Paris by Renzo Piano & Richard Rogers

Front courtyard act as the main public space

Letting people to experience the city at different levels
Long span, free plan structure

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