SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE: A SYSTEMATIC SYNTHESIS

Authors

  • Wan Mohd Khairul Firdaus Wan Khairuldin Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Research Institute of Islamic Product and Malay Civilization (INSPIRE), UNIVERSITI SULTAN ZAINAL ABIDIN
  • Shahir Akram Hassan Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
  • Abdul Hanis Embong Center for Fundamental and Continuing Education, UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU
  • Wan Nur Izzati Wan Nor Anas Faculty of General Studies and Advanced Education, UNIVERSITI SULTAN ZAINAL ABIDIN
  • Mohamad Zaidin Mat@Mohamad Research Institute of Islamic Product and Malay Civilization (INSPIRE), UNIVERSITI SULTAN ZAINAL ABIDIN
  • Muhammad Fuad Kamaludin The Inauguration of Imam Ahmad ibn Idris Chair of Islamic Studies, UNIVERSITÉ MOHAMMED-V, RABAT, MOROCCO
  • Mohd Sufi Ibrahim Department of Syariah, ISLAMIC COLLEGE AS-SOFA, SELANGOR

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i41.1993

Keywords:

Sustainable, Planning, Islamic Development, Urbanism, spiritual

Abstract

Rapid global urbanization calls for sustainable systems that resonate with local cultural and religious values; however integration of Islamic principles and modern urban planning is still in theory, fragmented and not yet researched. This systematic literature review overcomes this gap by synthesizing knowledge already existing to present a comprehensive framework for ethical and ecological urbanism. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, an exhaustive search was performed using the Web of Science (WoS) and the SCOPUS databases, in order to guarantee the high standard of academic trustworthiness. From an initial pool of literature, the study finally identified and analyzed a selection of 30 primary studies (n=30) which met the inclusion criteria. The findings of this synthesis are categorized into three critical thematic dimensions: (1) Sustainable Islamic Architecture and Heritage Conservation, which emphasizes bio-climatic traditional designs and culture; (2) Islamic Urbanism, Spatial Planning, and Environmental Resources, which emphasize the symbiotic relationship between human settlements and natural ecosystems; and (3) Green Finance, Governance, and Socio-Economic Ethics, underlines the possibility of tools based on Shariah and ethical stewardship in the effort towards equitable growth. The numerical result shows the interest in and research on these intersections is increasing, especially in terms of the role of Waqf and Khaliffah (stewardship) in the management of the environment. The present review concludes that an Islamic perspective on sustainable urbanism presents a holistic human-centred way of thinking transcending technical solutions through integrating the spiritual values with socio-economic equity. These findings provide a vital roadmap for policymakers and urban planners to develop resilient cities that are both technologically advanced and culturally grounded. Specifically, this review translates these Islamic principles into actionable planning levers including land-use zoning, heritage overlay controls, Waqf-based land banking, green sukuk financing, participatory governance mechanisms, climate-responsive building standards, and public space provision policies offering a structured toolkit for planners operating in Muslim-majority urban contexts.

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Published

2026-04-13

How to Cite

Wan Khairuldin, W. M. K. F., Hassan, S. A., Embong, A. H., Wan Nor Anas, W. N. I., Mat@Mohamad, M. Z., Kamaludin, M. F., & Ibrahim, M. S. (2026). SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE: A SYSTEMATIC SYNTHESIS. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 24(41). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i41.1993

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