The Study Of Traditional Settlement And Residential Houses In Tibetan-inhabited Amdo Area

China is a country with multiple ethnic groups, various religions and an integration of different culture. Due to the difference in the geography and climate of its residential area, the folkways and customs of each ethnic group are inherently varied; moreover, the diversity of religious belief among ethnic groups contributes to their disparate lifestyles and traditions. Accordingly, many distinctive architectural styles and forms have emerged, among which the traditional Tibetan residential houses are original and unique, especially those in Tibetan-inhabited Amdo, south of Gansu province.This paper focuses on the study of the traditional settlement and residential houses with strong ethnical and regional features in Tibetan-inhabited Zhagana Village of Diebu county in the south of Gansu province. Utilizing the theory of architecture and city planning with the assistance of relevant knowledge in anthropology and sociology, this paper adopts field research, surveying and mapping, and method of analogy as study approaches. After reviewing previous literature in the preparatory stage, the paper summarized the historical and cultural background of Tibetan-inhabited Amdo area, discusses the causes for its change and development over the years. Using the results of field research as well as surveying and mapping, this paper successively visits the macro subjects of natural conditions, change of location and trend of development of the settlement, while comparing the settlement form of Zhagana to that of other villages in Amdo. Drawings of the residential houses in Zhagana village are provided with detailed data, followed by the classification and analysis of these houses based on their functions and purposes. Then, the paper studies the plan pattern, the spatial form, and the elevation structure of Zhagana’s residential houses with comparison to residential houses in other Tibetan-inhabited villages nearby with respect to structure type, decorative pieces and colors and frets to determine the basic structure pattern and key elements of different types of residential houses. In the final section, the paper analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of present residential houses in Zhagana, and gives some suggestions concerning the construction of residential houses and development of village in the future with reference to legislations and regulations on urbanization.The paper is mainly based on the results of earlier studies and field research. It supplements previous studies on traditional settlement and residential houses in this area. The paper provides necessary material and reference to future study on residential houses and local buildings in Amdo.