This study introduces the current inhabitation and infrastructure arrangements in the Yamdrok Lake district of Tibet, research via literature review and field study. It investigates the historical and current status of the Yamdrok Lake Pumped storage Hydro facility, including the benefits it has brought and the environmental degradation it has caused. It goes on to research and develop a design strategy for evolving the energy infrastructure in this area, and to discuss how this could contribute to evolving and improving inhabitation for people in the region while safeguarding its fragile environment.

Acknowledgements

At first, I have to show my deepest gratitude to my thesis tutor Oliver Wilton for his constant encouragements and guidance. He has walked me through all the stages of the writing of this thesis. Without his consistent and illuminating instruction, this thesis could not have reached its present form.  

Secondly, I am especially indebted to my Unit tutor Professor CJ Lim and Simon Dickens, who give me not only insightful comments and encouragement, but also the challenging questions which push me to widen my research from various perspectives.

Thirdly, my sincere thanks also go to Professor Christine Hawley, Professor Peter Bishop, Andy Bow (Senior partner of Norman Foster+ partners) and Simon Herron who provided me with thoughtful criticisms during Crits in the early stage of the project. Without the discussions, it would not be possible to conduct this research. 

At last, I have to gratitude for all the Local support from Lhasa city and Yamdrok lake area, all the interviewees (See the interviews table in Appendix I) I met there who spent time and shared their stories and their opinions bountifully. Also, the Drone flight permit, that Tibet Aviation Management Meteorological Office authorises for the first-hand Aerial photographs. Additionally, I must thank the architectural photographer Bing Mai for the photographic works of Lhasa in the summer.