D-Lab China

Yiqun BaiSal Scaturro

October 19, 2005

Contents Brief intro to China & Tibet

D-Lab China History

Project Details

IAP schedule

Expectations

Future D-Lab China Possibilities

China: Basic Facts 4000-5000 year history People’s Republic of China (PRC)

founded by Mao Zedong on October 1st, 1949 at Tian’anmen 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities,

2 special administrative regions Population: 1.3 Billion

~80% live in rural areas 15% arable land

56 officially recognized ethnic minorities Average incomes

Urban: $1,200 Rural: $365

Currency: Renminbi (8RMB = US$1)

China: Map

Qinghai

Xining

Tibet: Basic Facts Tibetans ethnically distinct from Chinese (Han)

Language, food, culture

Songsten Gampo (629–649) Expanded empire across large portion of Central Asia and

China

Buddhism Introduced in two waves – 8th century, 11th century

Independent throughout most of its history

Current Situation Culture, Development, Tourism

Tibet: Map

YuShu

D-Lab China History

Began summer ’05 through existing relationship with Qinghai University

1-month workshop with QU students Similar to MIT D-Lab Composting toilet project with local village Student group

1-week visit to Snowland Service Group in Yushu NGO dedicated to improving lives of Tibetans Interested primarily in energy projects

At Qinghai University

A Nomadic Community

In Yushu

IAP Projects Composting toilet

QU students Improve design Large-scale implementation plan

Biogas system SSG Lightweight, sturdy, easily transportable Temperature issue

Snowmelt system SSG Use snow for drinking water

IAP Schedule 5 Jan – depart Boston

6 Jan – arrive Beijing

10 Jan – arrive Xining (train)

16 Jan – arrive Yushu (bus)

28 Jan – arrive Xining (bus)

29 Jan – Chinese New Year!

31 Jan – Arrive Beijing (train)

3 Feb – Arrive Boston

Expectations Rich cultural experience Already established connections, even though 1st D-lab project Closely work with university students, villagers, & NGO See many views of China Part implementation, part fact-gathering

Housing Hotel in Beijing; QU in Xining; SSG/nomads in Yushu

Difficult to adapt Xining – 2300m (7800ft), Yushu – 3700m (12,100ft) Deep winter on ‘roof of the world’ = COLD Less-than-ideal transportation

Additional costs ~$150 transportation, ~$50 food, souvenirs, clothes, etc.

Future Possibilities

Spring term courses

SummerMIT China programOverlap with IAPFocus on Biogas ImplementationQU students

Questions?

http://web.mit.edu/scatman/Public/d-labyiqun_b@mit.edu scatman@alum.mit.edu