Eco-Spiritual Urban Planning:

designing sacred cities in defense of the Rights of Nature

Abstract

Modern urban planning has predominantly focused on economic growth and infrastructure expansion, often disregarding the inherent rights of nature. Eco-Spiritual Urban Planning proposes a transformative framework that envisions cities as sacred landscapes where natural entities are recognized as living beings with legal rights. Drawing on principles of the Rights of Nature, Indigenous land governance and biophilic design, this study examines how urban spaces can be structured to foster spiritual and ecological reciprocity. By analyzing case studies such as the legal recognition of the Whanganui River in New Zealand, the Andean philosophy of Buen Vivir, and the mandala-based urban planning of Madurai, India, this paper demonstrates how urban design can integrate sacred landscapes into city planning while upholding environmental justice and cultural resilience. This framework suggests that aligning urban development with ancestral ecological governance and spiritual principles can create cities that are not only ecologically regenerative but also culturally and spiritually meaningful. The findings underscore the necessity for urban planning to transition from anthropocentric models to biocentric frameworks that prioritize ecological integrity and spiritual well-being. Ultimately, this paper advocates for the inclusion of sacred landscapes as integral components of sustainable urban development, positioning cities as living entities that embody spiritual, cultural, and ecological values.