Between Faith and Context: Islamic Urbanism as Spatial Negotiation in the Morphology of Malabar’s Port Towns

Islamic urbanism does not prescribe fixed forms but instead emerges through contextual negotiation, shaped by environmental constraints, trade networks, and local traditions. A comparative study of Shibam (Yemen) and Kuttichira (India) reveals that while certain spatial characteristics align with Islamic ethical principles, their manifestation varies significantly due to cultural, ecological, and socio-political dynamics. The research demonstrates that urban morphology in these port towns arises from a processual interplay of forces, rather than religious doctrine alone. This challenges deterministic views of Islamic urbanism, instead framing it as an interpretive framework that produces hybrid, layered environments—particularly evident in Malabar, where matrilineal systems and vernacular practices intersect with Islamic influences. The study advances the concept of 'contextual Islamic urbanism' to analyze urban form as a relational outcome.

Abdurahiman, S. (2026). Between Faith and Context: Islamic Urbanism as Spatial Negotiation in the Morphology of Malabar’s Port Towns. Heritage & Society, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159032x.2026.2679006