Tibetan dwellings in the process of urbanization

Tibet has unique geographic location and religious culture, which makes both of her natural and cultural ecologies frangible. So the development of Tibetan dwellings has to face much severer challenges in the rapid process of urbanization than that of other areas does. First of all, increasing demand for heating in dwellings confront serious crisis because of lack for conventional sources of energy in Tibet; secondly modern civilization influences and changes the old lifestyle, thus brings press for renovating the shape and space of Tibetan traditional dwellings; what's more, Tibetan landscape with attractive local features is impacted acutely by “international-style” architectures. In order to look for a sensible orientation for Tibetan dwellings in urbanization, “Research on Energy-efficient Dwelling System on the Tibet Plateau”, Project supported by the State Key Program of National Natural Science of China, puts forward some design proposals of various economic conditions according to Tibetan unique geography and culture. They are based on three principles — utilizing solar heating, adapting to modern lifestyle and respecting local culture.