Assessing factors that influence the resilience of cultural heritage in the face of climatic change: Bamiyan, Afghanistan case study

The research aims to demonstrate the significant effects of climate change on cultural heritage sites and important resilience factors. Cultural heritage sites are unique and irreplaceable. It is evident that these sites are confronted with a multitude of challenges, which include, but are not limited to, elevated temperatures, drought, rising sea levels, and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events. It is imperative that indicators are identified and that plans are devised to mitigate the impact of climate change. Such plans must be meticulously customised to suit each site's distinct circumstances to prevent any inadvertent harm. The thesis employs qualitative descriptive analysis, a methodological approach that involves the collection and examination of data from a range of literature sources. A compendium of potential ramifications of climate change on cultural heritage has been furnished. The research study places particular emphasis on the Bamiyan site in Afghanistan. A comprehensive review of pertinent literature was conducted, resulting in the formulation of a synthesised and generalised catalogue of prospective repercussions of climate change on cultural heritage. The objective of this catalogue is to furnish a lucid and accessible framework for the comprehension of these impacts. The subsequent focus is on the development of resilience strategies. The Bamiyan site is utilised as a case study to examine the pivotal factors influencing the site's capacity to adapt to climate change. The analysis of these indicators is based on four main aspects of resilience: structural, social, technological and institutional. The primary objective is to enhance the resilience of cultural heritage by identifying climate change challenges that are unique to the context and proposing feasible alternatives that are tailored to the specific vulnerabilities of the Bamiyan site.