The Opportunity and Threat of Urbanization in Lhasa
INTRODUCTION
Urbanization are often valued and admired as a solution to improve living standards. Such trends have been spreading globally, leading to rapid development in many rural areas and growth in number and scale of cities. The motto in Chinese “city makes life better” in the World Expo 2010 Shanghai exemplified a common correlation of modernization with the steps towards an ideal way of life.
As the political, religious, cultural and .economic center of Tibet, Lhasa played significant role in the development of Tibetan civilization. Like many others, this sacred place, after centuries of rather steady and slow-pace growth, did not escape the destiny to an unprecedented acceleration …show more content…
Located on the spectacular high altitude of Tibetan Plateau, Lhasa was a heart of Tibetan culture. Not only did the well-developed market towns revealed its economic importance, the majestic monasteries, such as Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, have also proven its richness and prestige as a religious and political capital since ancient …show more content…
But with the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet in 1951, rapid growth with marked population expansion occurred since then. Rural areas were also converted to urban towns. In 2000, total population in Lhasa reached 223,000, with built-up area over 45 square kilometers . Population further increased to 740,000 in 2013 .
Besides, the economy has changed. According to official census on labor force, in 1994 to 2004, gross regiona product has shown a five-fold increase. Proportion of primary production on GDP decreased to 9.04%, that of secondary sector dropped to 24.32%, and that of tertiary sector increased to 66.64% . While tertiary sector became the major source of income, dominance of agrarian economy declined. The actual production in each sector, however, showed continuous growth. Urbanization in Lhasa was evident from its economic growth and shift in structure.
Lhasa as a whole, from rural areas to urban towns, was under an early stage of rapid urbanization, even though the level was not high compared to other coastal cities in
INTRODUCTION
Urbanization are often valued and admired as a solution to improve living standards. Such trends have been spreading globally, leading to rapid development in many rural areas and growth in number and scale of cities. The motto in Chinese “city makes life better” in the World Expo 2010 Shanghai exemplified a common correlation of modernization with the steps towards an ideal way of life.
As the political, religious, cultural and .economic center of Tibet, Lhasa played significant role in the development of Tibetan civilization. Like many others, this sacred place, after centuries of rather steady and slow-pace growth, did not escape the destiny to an unprecedented acceleration …show more content…
Located on the spectacular high altitude of Tibetan Plateau, Lhasa was a heart of Tibetan culture. Not only did the well-developed market towns revealed its economic importance, the majestic monasteries, such as Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, have also proven its richness and prestige as a religious and political capital since ancient …show more content…
But with the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet in 1951, rapid growth with marked population expansion occurred since then. Rural areas were also converted to urban towns. In 2000, total population in Lhasa reached 223,000, with built-up area over 45 square kilometers . Population further increased to 740,000 in 2013 .
Besides, the economy has changed. According to official census on labor force, in 1994 to 2004, gross regiona product has shown a five-fold increase. Proportion of primary production on GDP decreased to 9.04%, that of secondary sector dropped to 24.32%, and that of tertiary sector increased to 66.64% . While tertiary sector became the major source of income, dominance of agrarian economy declined. The actual production in each sector, however, showed continuous growth. Urbanization in Lhasa was evident from its economic growth and shift in structure.
Lhasa as a whole, from rural areas to urban towns, was under an early stage of rapid urbanization, even though the level was not high compared to other coastal cities in