Impacts of international cricket stadiums on community perception of neighborhood; with special reference to Pallekele international cricket stadium

In recent years urban Sportscape or sports landscape have developed aiming at urban rejuvenation, economic growth, and tourism. Stadiums are a key element of these sportscapes. Therefore, the infrastructure including stadiums required for the growth of sports has gradually increased in the country. Cricket, as a subculture within the Sri Lankan context has influenced neighborhood communities with significant tangible and intangible impacts. Therefore, stadium neighborhood is a significant sub-cultural landscape within the urban environs. This study focuses on perception of neighborhood community on the impacts of the international cricket stadiums (ICS). Pallekele ICS (newer stadium in sub-urbs) was selected as a case study to represent cricket stadiums in Sri Lanka. Environmental and spatial perceived impacts were identified through literature survey and justified through pilot survey. Survey for the spectator responses was conducted during an ODI match. Post-match on-site field surveys were carried out for assessing the perceived impacts for the neighborhood community. Collected data were statistically analyzed by using SPSS 22.0 tool. This research concluded that stadium neighborhood landscapes act as a platform for public spaces and the neighbors’ perceptions may be used in minimize the impact on and uplift the neighborhood landscape when constructing future ICSs.