Social Capital:A Missing Link to Disaster Recovery

Post-disaster recovery processes should be considered as
opportunities for development, by revitalizing the local economy
and upgrading livelihoods and living conditions. Social
capital, which is defined as a function of trust, social norms,
participation, and network, can play an important role in recovery.
This paper examines the role of social capital in the post
earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction programs in two
cases: Kobe, Japan and Gujarat, India. The Kobe case study
shows that the community with social capital and with a tradition
of community activities can pro-actively participate in the
reconstruction program, and thereby can make a successful and
speedy recovery. A model for bonding, bridging and linking
social capital was developed from the Kobe experience, and was
applied to Gujarat in four different communities. It was observed
that the community with social capital records the highest satisfaction
rate for the new town planning and has the speediest
recovery rate. The role of community leaders has been prominent
in utilizing social capital in the recovery process, and
facilitating collective decision-making. Thus, although the two
case studies differ in socio-economic and cultural contexts, the
communities’ social capital and leadership are found to be the
most effective elements in both cases in enhancing collective
actions and disaster recovery.