Before it was demolished in 1994, Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong was considered the densest settlement on earth, with 33,000 people living within the space of one city block.
A city of organized chaos —
Before it was demolished in 1994, Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong was considered the densest settlement on earth, with 33,000 people living within the space of one city block.
Ian Lambot
A largely unregulated space, the Walled City grew massive as residents built new structures directly on top of existing structures.
An organic evolution —
A largely unregulated space, the Walled City grew massive as residents built new structures directly on top of existing structures.
Ian Lambot
"The Walled City was a kind of architectural touchstone in terms of what a city can be -- unplanned, self-generated, unregulated," says photographer Greg Girard.
'Unplanned and unregulated' —
"The Walled City was a kind of architectural touchstone in terms of what a city can be -- unplanned, self-generated, unregulated," says photographer Greg Girard.
Greg Girard
Because of the government's hands-off approach to regulating the City, there were effectively no health or safety laws present.
A legal grey area —
Because of the government's hands-off approach to regulating the City, there were effectively no health or safety laws present.
Greg Girard
Many buildings enclosed within the Walled City had no access to outside light or air.
Dark but vibrant —
Many buildings enclosed within the Walled City had no access to outside light or air.
Greg Girard
Deep within the building's darkness, a variety of small businesses flourished.
A self-contained world —
Deep within the building's darkness, a variety of small businesses flourished.
Greg Girard
Despite the City's wild appearance, photographer Greg Girard found that the people inside lived just like people anywhere else.
Flourishing businesses —
Despite the City's wild appearance, photographer Greg Girard found that the people inside lived just like people anywhere else.
Greg Girard
Planes landing at Hong Kong's nearby airport, Kai Tak, often roared overhead.
Too close for comfort —
Planes landing at Hong Kong's nearby airport, Kai Tak, often roared overhead.
Greg Girard
Architect Aaron Tan wrote his graduate thesis on the Walled City 20 years ago, a process he says humbled him. "We started to see that people could be more intelligent than us, the designers," he says.
Chaotic but ingenious —
Architect Aaron Tan wrote his graduate thesis on the Walled City 20 years ago, a process he says humbled him. "We started to see that people could be more intelligent than us, the designers," he says.
Greg Girard
The Kowloon Walled City has inspired countless settings in video games, comic books, and Hollywood films.
A lasting legacy —
The Kowloon Walled City has inspired countless settings in video games, comic books, and Hollywood films.
Greg Girard
Photographer Greg Girard said it was sad to see the Walled City finally demolished in 1994.<br />"Every city realizes too late to start caring about their architectural heritage... by the time you start caring about it, it's too late to save it."
More than just a slum —
Photographer Greg Girard said it was sad to see the Walled City finally demolished in 1994.
"Every city realizes too late to start caring about their architectural heritage... by the time you start caring about it, it's too late to save it."
Greg Girard