A Study on Sustainable Urbanization Based on Ecological Protection and Human Wellbeing in Xizang Autonomous Region

Population evolution and urbanization in Xizang Autonomous Region are key variables influencing the construction of ecological security barrier and sustainable development on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Based on a detailed description of the number, structure, distribution pattern and evolution of the population in Xizang from 1982 to 2020, this paper studies the main problems of urbanization development in Xizang and the countermeasures to promote sustainable urbanization. It is found that in recent 10 years transforming changes have taken place in Xizang’s population pattern, and the rapid development of urbanization is becoming the core factor. However, the over-dispersed population, unreasonable urban system and insufficient service function of major cities and towns are the main problems faced by Tibet and its sustainable development of urbanization. The two most important agglomeration areas of population and towns, the “One River and Two Tributaries” area and the Seni-Karub area, are facing serious shortages of construction land, the constraints of canyons, and the pressure of ecological protection. Accordingly, the study proposes several suggestions to build a sustainable development model on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, based on “win-win” efforts to protect the plateau’s ecological environment and promote people’s livelihood. First of all, the population distribution pattern should be changed from “mainly scattered” to “mainly concentrated” to adapt to the rapid development of urbanization and the acceleration of population migration. Secondly, based on full coverage of population services, a secondary urban system pattern of “central city-county town” should be constructed to improve and perfect the service function of county towns. Thirdly, the problem of land use for urban expansion can be solved according to local conditions without damaging the ecological environment. Finally, the model of non-local cooperatives is used to ensure that the income of the transferred population does not decrease, and the three measures are taken to prevent farmers and herdsmen in cities from returning to poverty, including human capital improvement, social security supplement, and ecological industry development