Random Notes:
https://unbelievable-facts.com/2018/02/facts-about-kowloon-walled-city.html
Size: 6.4 acres.
Population: 50,000 residents at peak
Population density: 120 times of NYC
Originally a small fort
Built during Song Dynasty
China lost the great opium war in 1842 So they gave Britain HK.
Brits claimed ownership as and it was used as a tourist attraction.
Beijing lost Sino-Japanese War.
In 1898 Chinese stated they want Kowloon back which was given.
But in 1899, they invaded the fort and claimed they owned Kowloon fort.
During WW2, area was occupied by Japanese, who tore down the walls
When Japan lost the wall, refugees from China began coming in.
British tried to get rid of squatters but failed so they adopted handsoff policy since residents complained to China.
People kept building ontop of structures without building safety codes
So dense that bottom did not receive sun.
Rooftops used for playgrounds and exercise.
crime in the city was so bad that police would only venture inside in large groups.
This attracted much illegal activity.
Despite high crime rates in the city, most residents were ordinary, law-abiding citizens. Many of them got involved in community groups to try to improve life in the Walled City.
Triads also worked with residents and acted as a kind of city council as they settled disputes between businesses, organized a garbage disposal system, and created a volunteer fire department.
In 1980s, both british and Chinese government compensated the citizens by giving them $350million.
In 1993, the city was demolished and turned into a park.
Some argue that the Walled City was an example of how people can work together to achieve great things. They say the residents came up with novel solutions to problems and created a city that was self-sufficient without needing guidance or an overall plan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcSBOUpgngM