Due to the scale of recent development and rapid urbanisation in Kelantan, Malaysia,
there is a general lack of understanding and appreciation of the Kelantan Malay cultural
landscape. This PhD research was undertaken in order to identify the characteristics and
identity of the Kelantan Malay cultural landscape. Through this improved understanding,
it is hoped to better respect the heritage in contemporary planning and landscape design.
The investigation highlights the authentic traditional elements that the inherited
landscape can offer to contemporary planners, landscape architects, and municipal
administrators in order to preserve the integrity and the beauty of the Kelantan Malay
landscape. The search for the Kelantan Malay regional identity is quite a complicated
endeavour both because of the diverse causes of change, and the difficulties in obtaining
references and documentation about the Kelantan Malay cultural landscape. There is an
urgent and imperative task to secure the future of the authentic Kelantan Malay cultural
landscape. Basically, Kelantan is being becoming acknowledged as a cradle of Malay
cultures since most of the traditional Malay cultures can be found there. Traditional arts
and culture are crucial to regional identity and, significantly, their vernacular qualities
also play a vital role in creating the beauty of the cultural landscape. They have their own
expression in architecture and landscape that could be identified as unique within the
Malay Archipelago. The study will also consider the Kelantan traditional Malay house,
the village, and the landscape elements of the capital city of Kota Bharu. This research
will also look into the influences from other landscape traditions in creating the Kelantan
Malay cultural landscape. These include the early stage of Kelantan, during the Hindu-
Buddhist era, the philosophy and culture of the Islamic era, Siamese influence, British
colonial influence, and the period after Independence in 1957. In addition, this research
will look into the approaches that have been used by Kota Bharu Municipal Council in
creating the new landscape, especially in the city centre. At the same time the process of
creating the regional identity will be considered. Kota Bharu, as an Islamic city,
represents a symbolic trademark to the urban development of the Islamic state of
Kelantan. It appears that there have been many changes in the cultural landscape of
Kelantan, especially in the traditional villages and the city centre, that have gradually
been transformed. In an important sense, recent new building and new urban
development have transformed the cultural landscape either in a traditional matter or in a
pastiche way. This thesis recognises the importance of incorporating the existing heritage
alongside contemporary design. This research also seeks to consider the future prospects
for the Kelantan Malay cultural landscape since there are many evolutions currently
underway. Optimistically, there will be better landscape practices in the future, as well as
further research on the Kelantan Malay cultural landscape.