kowloon walled city
DESCRIPTION
Kowloon walled city. A historical perspective. Location: Kowloon City Area: 0.026 sq km Population: 50,000 in 1987 Redevelopment in late 1980s Compensation to residents: $2.7 billion Affected population: 33,000 Evacuation started: 1991 Demolition started: 1992 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
KOWLOON WALLED CITYA historical perspective
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Location: Kowloon City
Area: 0.026 sq km
Population: 50,000 in 1987
Redevelopment in late 1980s
Compensation to residents: $2.7 billion
Affected population: 33,000
Evacuation started: 1991
Demolition started: 1992
Original land use: residential land use
Present land use: recreational land use
HISTORY OF THE WALLED CITY It served as a watchpost
defending the area against pirates and managing the production of salt since Song Dynasty (960 – 1279)
Later it was rebuilt as a fort in the mid-1800s
After 1950s, Mainland China refused to take control of the city. HK Police had no right to control, so did the British government. ( 三不管 )
PROBLEMS OF THE WALLED CITY
1898 – roughly 700 1971 – 10,000 1980s – 35,000 1987 – 50,000 Population density of
1,923,077/sq km Due to the migration
of low-income group from Mainland China
They could only afford cheaper housing in the walled city.
Rapid population growth High building density
PROBLEMS OF THE WALLED CITY
Since Britain adopted a “hands-off” policy, the walled city was virtually ruled by anti-Manchurian Triads in 1973-74.
Since then, the walled city became a hotbed of criminal activities, e.g. brothels, casinos, opium dens, cocaine parlours, food courts serving dog meat and secret factories.
A concentration of unsanitary dentist clinics run by those unlicensed dentists.
Social issues Hotbeds of criminals
PROBLEMS OF THE WALLED CITY
Square buildings with high density folded up
Illegal electricity and water supply done by the residents themselves
Buildings of no more than 13-14 stories high due to height restriction of the previous airport
Poor building quality Lots of temporary and
illegal structures Clogged up with refuse
(hygiene problems) High risk of fire
Urban decay Urban blight
EVACUATION AND DEMOLITION OF THE WALLED CITY
After the Joint Declaration in 1984, the PRC agreed with British authorities to demolish the walled city and resettle its inhabitants
The mutual decision to tear down the walled city was made in 1987
Evacuations started in 1991, affecting 30,000 people
Demolition work started in 1992 Reconstruction of the walled city to the
Kowloon Walled City Park in August 1995.