Manhattan comes to mind when we think about places where we pack most people for a living. But there was once a place that had 30 times more people per square meter than Manhattan, Kowloon Walled City. Despite its small size - roughly equivalent to a few football fields - it was home to an estimated 33,000 people at its peak in the 1980s.
Originally a Chinese military fort, the city became a densely populated, virtually lawless enclave following World War II. As neither the British colonial government in Hong Kong nor China wanted to assert control, it turned into a safe haven for squatters, criminals, and small-scale entrepreneurs seeking to avoid regulation.
Over time, the Walled City became a vertical labyrinth of tightly packed buildings, interconnected with a maze of alleys and stairways. Residents created their own infrastructure, rules, and community spirit within this chaotic urban jungle. Despite rampant crime and squalid living conditions, the Walled City was also a hub of vibrant life and culture, with countless small factories, shops, and food stalls.
In 1987, the governments of Britain and China decided to demolish the city due to its uncontrollable nature. It was torn down in the early 1990s and replaced with a park. The story of Kowloon Walled City challenges our ideas about urban planning, governance, and community resilience. It poses questions about how we choose to live together and adapt to extraordinary circumstances, often finding order within chaos.
Craving more? Check out the source behind this Brain Snack!
