Walled city

The Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong was built gradually—building on top of building—over time. Without a single architect, the ungoverned and most densely populated district became a haven for drugs, crime and prostitution until it was demolished in 1993. Photo documentation of the site exists but for the most part much of the inner-workings of the city remained a mystery. Perhaps due to its proximity, Japan, in particular, developed a keen interest towards Kowloon. Its demolition in 1993…

The City's dozens of alleyways were often only 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, and had poor lighting and drainage.[18] An informal network of staircases and passageways also formed on upper levels, which was so extensive that one could travel north to south through the entire City without ever touching solid ground.[4] cyborganthropology.com/Kowloon_Walled_City

Taken by Canadian photographer Greg Girard in collaboration with Ian Lamboth the pair spent five years familiarising themselves with the notorious Chinese city before it was demolished in 1992.

Kowloon Walled City was known as an enclave for criminals, but that only tells one side of the story. The informal settlement also had a thriving economy.

Image 5 of 10 from gallery of The Architecture of Kowloon Walled City: An Excerpt from 'City of Darkness Revisited'. Photograph by 'City of Darkness Revisited'

Throughout history city walls were made as protection from the enemy. They were usually massive structures, punctuated with guard towers. Some were built on hills, making invasions more difficult, while others fronted seas and oceans to protect the towns from invaders in ships or, in some cases, pir

To truly appreciate the medieval fortress of Cité de Carcassonne in southern #France, you have to…”

A unique quirk of history created one of the strangest and most fascinating urban settlements the world has ever seen.