Conservation of urban heritage post-earthquake reconstruction through community involvement: case study of THIMI-issues and lessons learned

ABSTRACT

Cultural heritage is a reflection of a community’s adopted ways of life. It comprises customs, behaviors, settings, physical objects, artistic expression, and ideals. As an impact of the Earthquake in 2015, the heritage building suffered catastrophic damage. This research examined the Thimi community’s approach to urban heritage construction through conservation, reconstruction, renovation, and restoration, and shares problems, success stories, and lessons learned in the cases of Phalcha (Rest House) and Dyo (Temple). The Thimi Municipality provided all required technical and financial support for these renovation and reconstruction activities. Conducting a depth literature review and understanding the process of both qualitative and quantitative methods of rebuilding, renovating, and restoring the urban cultural heritage structure, this research uses a case study approach. Locals, consultants, and technical employees involved in the rehabilitation and planning work provided most of the materials for all case studies. This study finds that the residents of Thimi feel pride in having their heritage structures restored by local community participation. Despite the local community efforts, there are a few shortcomings with the financial, technical, social, and administrative constructions and understanding of customary practices. The Madhyapur Thimi Municipality has developed measures to support communities willing to lead urban heritage conservation.

KEYWORDS:

• Community
• community through reconstruction
• conservation
• Thimi
• urban heritage

Acknowledgements

The researcher would like to thank the former Mayor Madan Sundar Shrestha, Dr. Rajendra Man Shrestha, Dr. Lata Shakya, Dr. Kabindra Kumar Shrestha, Gyani Shrestha, Dr. Rusi Zeng, Mosissa Samuel Tsegaye, and Kabir Khan for their supports. The authors also like to acknowledge the support provided by Manisha Shrestha and Rujal Shrestha on data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded and supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China {Grant number 51778529 and number [51978573]