Mapping the Interconnections of Community Participation Parameters in Heritage Conservation: A Bibliometric and Network Analysis

Vipendra Singh Thakur, Dr. Ruchita Gupta, Dr. Priyaleen Singh

Abstract: In recent decades, scholarly discourse has increasingly underscored the importance of engaging local communities as collaborators in the conservation of cultural heritage. Nevertheless, in developing contexts such as India, the mechanisms by which communities participate in heritage processes remain inadequately theorized and empirically delineated. This study seeks to address this gap by conducting a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of forty-four scholarly articles, sourced from diverse geographic and disciplinary contexts, to identify and map the key parameters influencing community participation (CP) in heritage conservation. Through text-mining, keyword classification, and network visualization, six interrelated parameters were identified: heritage, local community, range of stakeholders, funding, CP strategies, and safeguarding frameworks, which collectively shape participatory practices in heritage governance. Chronological and network analyses revealed that these parameters interact dynamically rather than linearly, reflecting an increasing integration of social, economic, and policy dimensions in participatory heritage research. This study further argues that each parameter comprises context-dependent variables that evolve according to local conditions, rendering them adaptable for future comparative and empirical investigations. This integrative framework contributes to a deeper understanding of how diverse CP patterns emerge and can be strategically aligned to support sustainable heritage management.

Keywords: community participation (CP), heritage conservation, participatory governance, local community, bibliometric analysis

How to Cite?: Vipendra Singh Thakur, Dr. Ruchita Gupta, Dr. Priyaleen Singh, "Mapping the Interconnections of Community Participation Parameters in Heritage Conservation: A Bibliometric and Network Analysis", Volume 14 Issue 11, November 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 665-671, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251106121850, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251106121850