Published Paper Details:

Kathmandu durbar square and its establishment are believed to date back to the regime of the Shah and the Malla dynasty, the constructions believed to begin as early as the 3rd century. Enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage site in the year 1979, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a reflection of historic pagoda styled temples crafted by Newar artists in Newari architectural style. Kathmandu Durbar Square is an important site for Buddhists and Hindus as it holds significant values. One of the most important sites in Kathmandu valley, the complex was badly damaged during the 2015 earthquake with numerous building collapses. The massive hit took great toll of the ancient structures and left stumps and ruins all over the durbar square area. Restoration of the Durbar Square area was initially taken over by the Department of Architecture and the Government of Nepal through an open bidding process and completely depended on national/foreign aid and assistance. Various projects and plans were initiated to rehabilitate the destructed sites but they contradicted the traditional construction methods, resources and materials. The concerned authorities seemed to overlook the necessity of preserving the originality and the traditional values by agreeing on usage of unconventional methods and materials proposed by building contractors and created a controversial conflict. The demand for local participation and restoring the pre-existing socio cultural value along with the physical reconstruction was put forward postponing the projects and reconsidering all the plans and strategies. This paper discusses the damages and loss in Kathmandu Durbar square due to the 2015 earthquake, its impact on local people, how the event affected the tourism industry and the progressive development of the heritage sites ever since. It reviews on the conflicts and difficulties experienced post earthquake while restoring the heritage through various studies and research. The report also reflects upon the controversies drawn upon the reconstruction approach proposed by various stakeholders. The data, facts and information gathered shed light on the present scenario of Kathmandu Durbar Square; undertaken projects of restoration, completed plans, progressive report, achieved goals, ongoing construction and so on.