Green Open Spaces as Civilizational Constructs in Malay-Islamic Architecture: Integrating Environmental Ethics and Human Capacity Toward Sustainable Urbanism

Abstract

This paper explores Green Open Space (GOS) as a civilizational construct within the paradigm of Malay-Islamic architecture. Going beyond ecological and aesthetic interpretations, it positions GOS as a manifestation of spiritual, ethical, and environmental unity rooted in the principles of tawhid (divine oneness), amanah (stewardship), and mizan (balance). Drawing from a qualitative hermeneutic methodology, this research synthesizes Islamic environmental ethics, traditional Malay settlement morphology, and contemporary urban sustainability discourse. Findings reveal that traditional Malay spatial logic—centered around mosques, water bodies, and vegetation—reflects a cosmological order that integrates faith, community, and ecology. In contrast, modern urbanism often prioritizes efficiency and profit over moral and environmental integrity. The study proposes a civilizational sustainability framework that unites Islamic human capacity, environmental stewardship, and spatial ethics. It concludes that integrating GOS within urban and halal industrial design can transform cities into moral ecosystems guided by divine harmony and sustainable coexistence.