Abstract
The Chinese development drive in Tibet is characterised by rapid urbanisation of Tibet's small towns, along with an ever-increasing influx of migrants from China's inland provinces. Based on the author's memories and personal experiences of Lhasa, as well as his later field studies in the Tibetan capital, this article takes a critical look at the transformation of Lhasa during the past 15 years. It argues that massive government development programmes have transformed Lhasa from a ‘Tibetan town’ into a ‘Chinese city’ in which local Tibetans have to struggle for economic as well as cultural survival. The new development concept propagated by the top leadership (Chinese: kexue fazhanguan) stresses ‘scientific’ development, whereas concepts such as rights-based development, local empowerment and participation are still unknown terms in the current development discourse in Tibet. If this situation persists, it will contribute to further tension in Tibet.
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