The role of social capital in the recovery of cultural built heritage: Evidence from three heritage sites in Nepal

Purpose: Social capitals in a community are in the form of bonding, bridging and linking through social networks. This paper aims to determine the role of social capital in the recovery process of cultural heritage sites. It identifies the existing social capital and the role of community. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on the existing literature reviews complemented by the questionnaire survey. Three disaster-affected cultural heritage sites in Kathmandu were selected for the study. The questionnaire survey and group discussion with 300 disaster survivors were conducted. Findings: This paper discusses social capital and its limitations for recovery. It proposes a new model of disaster recovery based on social capital and community. Research limitations/implications: This research is based on the region with high social capital. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test in the low social capital community. Practical implications: The approach of disaster recovery discussed in this paper can be implemented in the cultural heritage rebuilding after the disaster. Social implications: This paper is based on social capital and community involvement. This paper identifies the importance of community involvement in the recovery. Originality/value: The paper identified that during the recovery, in addition to social capitals, the role of community participation is unavoidable. This paper demonstrated how recovery is complicated despite external resources without community participation.