RETHINKING CEMETERY ARCHITECTURE IN MUSLIM CITIES: A SUSTAINABLE FRAMEWORK FOR VERTICAL BURIAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The unprecedented rate of urbanization in developing countries has been putting pressure on land resources, which has made provision of services in the urban areas, including burial, a great challenge. Traditionally used for ground burial, Muslim cemeteries are experiencing problems of land scarcity, inefficient management, overcrowding and problems with grave identification. Such difficulties have been more noticeable in the more rapidly expanding cities where the growth of the cities has been in direct competition with the allocation of land within the cemeteries. The idea of vertical cemeteries is therefore born, as a possible architectural and planning solution to meet future requirements of burying the deceased with the conservation of precious urban space. This study focuses on the feasibility of vertical Muslim cemetery as sustainable urban burial solution in densely populated urban area. The research is based on secondary data, religious literature, scholarly publications, international case studies, and contemporary practice of cemetery design, and examines the connections between Islamic burial practices and the consumption of urban land, as well as the management of cemeteries and the innovation in architecture. Special consideration is paid to the compatibility of vertical burial methods and Islamic beliefs about death, burial and remembrance. The study also examines models from abroad and examines some of the examples of religious buildings from Brazil, India, the Philippines, Austria, Russia, and Bangladesh to identify design approaches that take into account religious requirements, environmental considerations and urban efficiency. The results suggest that if designed appropriately for religious needs, vertical cemeteries have the potential to use significantly less land, increase accessibility and management of the cemetery, improve its environmental aspects and promote sustainable urban development. The study concludes that vertical Muslim cemeteries are a promising solution for the future, which could be effective in solving the shortage of burial plots while maintaining the values and traditions related to Islamic burial