A Maze of Misery: The Incredible Story of Kowloon Walled City
Factoids Revealing the Ruined City of Shadow in China:
Squashed into a small 213 meters by 126 meters area, Kowloon Walled City boasts a captivating narrative that outshines even the wildest imagination. This infamous place, once home to over 33,000 souls, claustrophobic living conditions, and no laws to bind its inhabitants, was famously known as the City of Darkness.
Origin and Struggles
Established in 1810 as a fortress city, Kowloon was no stranger to complex political tensions, as it played host to the volatile relationship between China and the British Empire. From 1898 onwards, Kowloon (also known as the Walled City) remained a Chinese land, sandwiched between Hong Kong territories under British control.
Exempted from the influence of both the British and Chinese governments, the city became a haven for refugees who couldn't afford to live in Hong Kong following World War II. The absence of governing bodies allowed the place to rapidly grow without any planning or regulations, resulting in uncontrolled construction and remarkably high population density.
Urban Jungle
Kowloon's space became a labyrinth of buildings, with a distance of just 2 meters between 14-story structures. This resulted in narrow, sunless alleyways that forced people to stoop as they walked, navigating through bundles of dangling cables.
By 1990, the city was home to 500 buildings. Many "bridges" connected the upper floors, enabling residents to traverse between buildings without venturing to the ground floor. Lacking proper windows and ventilation systems, the architectural marvel amazingly continues to intrigue architects and builders worldwide.
"Factory Apartments"
The living spaces in Kowloon were no bigger than 16 square meters, often serving as makeshift homes, workshops, and stores. Families ran factories producing noodles, candies, plastic, and ready-made foods like fried fish balls and roast meat from these compact spaces.
Scarcity and Struggle
Water access was a constant challenge, with just eight supply pipes available for the entire population. Ground-floor residents resorted to digging wells on their properties to secure water. Hygiene was virtually impossible amidst rats, cockroaches, and the stench of waste.
Electricity was another pressing issue, as it was required for both production and daily life.
The Great Outdoors
Rooftops were the only refuge for sunlight and fresh air, offering children a place to play and students a chance to work on their homework. However, residents were subjected to the roar of airplanes landing at the nearby Hong Kong airport, as the city was located directly under their flight path.
Masses and Murk
With families juggling work, childcare, and survival, not all children attended school. Some helped their parents, while others were under the care of grandmothers or left alone until parents returned from work. The city only had one creche, with children eating and sleeping in shifts due to insufficient space.
The unlicensed dental clinics in Kowloon, however, were a luxury some residents could afford, unlike in Hong Kong.
Sinister Secrets
The City of Darkness was a criminal haven, with triads (Chinese gangs) controlling the majority of illicit activities, such as gambling, prostitution, opium smoking, and drug trafficking. Despite the constant presence of police, they only intervened in severe crimes and collaborated with the triads in other matters.
Darkness Before Dawn
As the years passed, crime rates and drug addiction declined in Kowloon. Some evidence suggests that the triads primarily managed the water supply, the city's most valuable resource. Although social activities flourished, with schools, clinics, churches, and even a senior citizens' center, the city retained its squalid reputation.
The Fall of Kowloon
In 1984, China took back control of Hong Kong with the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Efforts began to address the issue of Kowloon's status, eventually leading to an agreement to demolish the city and provide compensation to residents.
Despite the relocation offer, many residents chose to remain in their homes due to the high cost of living outside the Walled City. Protests and refusals to leave ensued, but by 1992, the last residents were forcibly evicted. In April 1994, Kowloon Walled City was finally destroyed, making way for Kowloon Walled City Park, a tranquil, green open space adorned with relics from the fortress and street names from the old city.
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[1] Crawford, J. (2020, September 18). The strange saga of Kowloon Walled City.[2] Jacobs, H. (2018, December 06). Inside Hong kong's lawless 'walled city' - the most crowded place on earth for 40 years.[3] Lam, S. (2016, December 02). Here's what western accounts of the kowloon walled city don't tell you.
- The unregulated and densely populated Kowloon Walled City, once known as the city of darkness, exhibits a captivating history that is as intriguing as its lifestyle of 'factory apartments' and clandestine activities, serving as a valuable artifact in the study of home-and-garden architecture, general news, and even crime-and-justice.
- With allegations of triads controlling illicit activities such as gambling, prostitution, opium smoking, and drug trafficking, and the reported collusion of police forces, the Walled City serves as a conspicuous example in the annals of crime-and-justice, casting light on the shadows of unchecked power and corruption.
- The destruction of Kowloon Walled City in 1994, now replaced by the tranquil Kowloon Walled City Park, marks the end of an era embodying an unusual amalgamation of history, lifestyle, wealth, scarcity, and clandestine activities that is worthy of attention in the domain of both academic research and general news.
