Kuala Terengganu and Makassar: Converging the Ecological Legacy of Littoral Urban Form

The urban forms of particular Southeast Asian littoral centers exemplify an organic accretion shaped by landscape, climate, and cultural hybridity, rather than cosmological form. As seen in Makassar and Kuala Terengganu, there are sites that embody a heterogenetic legacy—layered, adaptable, and rooted in Indigenous principles of ventilation and permeability. The city's development is described as an organic, layered process—akin to natural accretion—where urban patterns follow the landscape's meandering watercourses, sandy terrains, and natural topography. This growth contrasts with grid-based planning and emphasizes adaptation to local geography. Recognizing these patterns offers valuable lessons for contemporary urban design: policies must prioritize regional, ecological, and cultural identities, fostering sustainable and climate-resilient cities. Reintegrating vernacular urbanism into modern guidelines is essential to preserve its unique character and ensure future urban resilience rooted in local traditions. © 2026 Shireen Jahn Kassim and Illyani Ibrahim.