Embedded social capital in urban flash flood management: Evidence from Kajang, Malaysia

Sarina Yusoff, Nur Hafizah Yusoff, Chan Kim Ling @ Geraldine, Dona Raihana Don Ramli

Abstract


Flash floods have become a recurring hazard in many rapidly urbanising cities, including Kajang Town, Malaysia, where urban development has increased pressure on drainage systems and exposed communities to greater flood risk. Although social capital is widely discussed in disaster research, its role in connecting community capacities with formal flood governance remains underexplored in urban Southeast Asia. This study examines how embedded social capital supports flash flood management through a qualitative case study of Kajang Town. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 purposely selected participants representing residents, community organisations and formal institutions, supplemented by document analysis. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three dimensions of embedded social capital: relational, structural and cognitive. Neighbourhood social networks, trust and shared local knowledge supported the exchange of information, early assistance and collective action before, during and after flood events. Residents often identified changing flood conditions before official responders arrived, while community organisations helped coordinate volunteers and communicate community needs. Formal institutions contributed emergency coordination, technical expertise and material resources. Flood response depended on continued interaction between community networks and formal institutions. Embedded social capital developed through everyday relationships and repeated flood experience rather than during emergencies alone. These relationships supported communication, cooperation and local decision-making across different stages of flood management. Recognising embedded social capital as part of urban flood governance highlights the importance of neighbourhood organisations, local knowledge and long-term collaboration between communities and formal institutions in strengthening urban flood resilience.

 

Keywords: Community networks, disaster governance, embedded social capital, flash flood management, local knowledge, urban resilience


Keywords


Community networks, disaster governance, embedded social capital, flash flood management, local knowledge, urban resilience

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