1. K OWLOON WALLED CITY A historical perspective

3. K OWLOON WALLED CITY 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

4. H ISTORY 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 )

6. P ROBLEMS 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 growthHigh building density

7. P ROBLEMS 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 issuesHotbeds of criminals

8. P ROBLEMS 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 decayUrban blight

9. E VACUATION 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.