Jul 7 2012
During its final years, Kowloon Walled City became the most densely populated place on earth with 50,000 people crammed into a few city blocks. Experience the city with two Canadian photographers Greg Girard and Ian Lamboth before it was demolished in 1992.
It was calculated that the city had 33,000 families living inside of the 300 interconnected high-rise buildings (if they can be called that since they have been constructed without any contributions of architects).
At night the massive structure of Kowloon Walled City lights up and looks like something you would see in a different desolate world.
Many residents use the rooftops for the only sunlight in their homes. Many of these living places are in the middle of the structure with zero natural light.
The streets inside buzz at all hours of the day with hundreds of citizens managing businesses, and living their lives with their families.
The poor construction techniques and low upkeep is visible almost everywhere in this mini metropolis. Mir Lui was assigned to work inside of the city as a post man in 1976 as he is one of the few people who knew the massively complicated hallway structure inside (he wears a hat because everything is leaking).
A convenience store that sells essentials like toilet paper, cigarettes and canned foods.
A grocery store owner Chan Pak (aged 60) has a passion for cats – he had seven at the time of this photo.
Law Yu Yi (aged 90) living in a tiny third-floor flat with her son's 68-year-old wife. A typical arrangement of a traditional family.
Food processors admitted that they picked to live in the city to avoid jurisdiction of the government's health and sanitation inspectors. They also benefited from the low rent fees.
Kids playing outside on the rooftops where low flying jets come in to land at the Kai Tak Airport.
A noodle business is a work place during the day and in the evening when Hui Tung Choy's wife and two daughters play and do homework on the flour-encrusted work bench.
Despite many drug problems at the city, many managed to live normal lives.
Workers at the fish processing shop where little to none sanitary rules were followed.
Tin Hau Temple that was built in 1951 was encapsulated inside of Kowloon's Massive structure. Barely any light penetrates the facades above.
A good view to see the crooked poorly built structure of Kowloon Walled City.
In 1992 the government of China spent around 2.7 billion Hong Kong dollars in compensation to the estimated 33,000 families and businesses. Some were not satisfied and tried to stop the evacuations.
Adolfo Arranz – a sketcher/graphic artist (and a freelancer too) at South China Morning Post – summarizes Kowloon City in a beautiful infographic (that he actually got a gold medal for). Click the image for larger version (4400 × 6700, 6.6 MB). See image footer for credit info.
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Sep 2 2011
One square meter in this apartment costs approximately 100,000 rubles ($3,600 US Dollars), and at this price you should expect something nice. It is located in Vladivostok (Russia). Well you would be wrong - lets look at what you get in this amazing package.
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