This study examines the historical evolution and contemporary transformation of open public spaces in the historic city centre of Melaka, Malaysia. Tracing their development from the Melaka Sultanate through colonial and post-independence periods, it reveals how spaces like the Dutch Square, streetscapes, and green open areas have shifted from communal and civic use toward tourism, commercialisation, and privatisation. Through case studies of Padang Pahlawan, Bukit China, and Jonker Street, the thesis highlights how open public spaces in Melaka serve as contested terrains of memory, identity, and urban change.