1 VOC Heritage Settlements in Southeast Asia Robert C.M. Weebers(1), Yahaya Ahmad(2) and Zuraini M.A.(3). 1. PhD Candidate, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Malaysia. (robertweebers@myjaring.net) 2. Associate Professor, Deputy Dean Research and Post Graduate, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Malaysia. (yahaya@um.edu.my) 3. Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Built Environment, University Malaya, Malaysia. (zuraini_mdali@um.edu.my) Abstract The purpose of this contribution to the First International Conference on Architectural Heritage in the Islamic States is to expand on the historical background and planning of the VOC (Dutch East Indies Company) settlements in the Southeast Asia. The purpose of this paper is to show how the ideas of architects influenced the planning and construction of settlements in Southeast Asia. Specifically the architect and mathematician Simon Stevin (1548- 1620) had an important influence on the planning and construction of settlements. This paper will expand on how settlements were constructed by explaining treatises of Simon Stevin about fortifications and townplanning. Followed by a summary of the ideas, about the Ideal City, of Italian architects and their influence on Dutch architects. Finally the ideas of Simon Stevin and their application will be dealt with and how VOC settlements were constructed. Hopefully this paper will lead to a greater interest in VOC settlements in Southeast Asia. Keywords: VOC, Southeast Asia, heritage, settlements.