Sacred Landscapes: Indigenous Spatial Frameworks for Contemporary Practice (Religion and Spatial Studies)

Positioned at the intersection of indigenous knowledge systems and spatial practice, this volume explores how ritualised, place-based epistemologies can reframe design and planning responses to global ecological crises. Departing from reductive Cartesian abstractions, it interrogates the systemic erasure of sacred space and advances a generative turn toward relational ontologies and decolonial spatial imaginaries. Landscapes are approached not as static heritage artefacts, but as living, agentive systems that co-produce meaning, identity, and ethical responsibility. Drawing on global case studies and innovative methodological approaches, including VOICE, Spiritual Tectonics, and Afro-Cosmological Design, the contributions explore the temporal thickening of sacred sites, where ancestral continuities intersect with emergent technologies. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary metrics of resilience and sustainability, the book outlines actionable pathways for spatial practitioners. It speaks to researchers and professionals across architecture, urban planning, religious studies, cultural geography, and the environmental humanities.

Vikas Chand Sharma is an Associate Professor and Head of Department in the School of Architecture and Planning at Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, and a researcher at Guru Nanak Dev University, India. His interdisciplinary scholarship examines the evolving relationship between urban design, sacred landscapes, and emerging technologies. He serves on scientific and editorial boards and reviews for leading journals across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Dr. Anurag Varma is an academic, architect, and consultant with over 25 years of diverse professional experience. He serves as a Professor and Director of the School of Architecture at CMR University, Bengaluru, India. His doctoral research at TERI School of Advanced Studies focused on sacred cultural heritage and its intersection with urban planning in pilgrimage towns. His research interests encompass sustainable built environments, architectural pedagogy, and advancements in higher education.

Dr. Qiuhua (Lisa) Duan is an Assistant Professor specializing in sustainable built environments, building performance, and advanced materials. Her research develops innovative solutions for energy efficiency and occupant well-being within resilient communities. Dr. Duan holds dual PhDs in Architectural Engineering (Pennsylvania State University, USA) and Disaster Prevention and Reduction Engineering (Tongji University, China). She has led some research projects funded by NOAA, the DOE and participated in US National Science Foundation initiatives. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications, her work focuses on energy-efficient building envelopes and indoor environmental quality, offering high-performance technical frameworks for contemporary spatial practice.