Tibet has set up an expert committee for the protection of traditional buildings and architecture to better preserve local culture.

Committee members come from local government departments of housing, urban-rural development, culture and finance, as well as university and academy, said Li Xinchang, an official with Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department of Tibet.

The main tasks of the members, who have five-year term of office, include offering technical guidance in Tibetan housing protection, providing advice to policy makers, studying technology and conducting surveys.

Traditional buildings are disappearing amid China's urbanization drive.The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has encouraged research on traditional Chinese buildings and architecture, improving the catalogue and documenting ancient housing.