The Walled City of Kowloon

Daily Life

The Walled City of Kowloon, located in Hong Kong, was one of the most densely populated places in history. With a population density of 1.9 million people per square kilometer, it was a chaotic yet functional community. Despite being considered a slum, residents worked together to maintain water and electrical systems, and the city had schools, medical clinics, and other essential services 1 2.

It was like a piece of machinery that worked very well. The demolition was like taking the machine apart. The first time you could actually see what was inside.

--- Aaron Tan

The unique political status of the Walled City, with no government control, made it a haven for organized crime, yet it also fostered a strong sense of community among its residents 2.

   

Community Services

Community services in the Walled City of Kowloon were surprisingly well-developed despite its chaotic environment. The city had numerous unlicensed doctors and dentists, and residents had to collaborate to make basic services like water and electricity work. Schools, medical clinics, and childcare services were also present, showcasing the residents' ingenuity in creating a functional society 2.

The people who lived there had to work together to make the water and electrical systems work. Pipes and wires could be seen everywhere in the alleys between the buildings, which never got sunlight.

--- Gary Arndt

The demolition of the Walled City in the early 1990s revealed the complex and efficient systems that had been developed by its residents, leaving a lasting impression on architects and urban planners 2.