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123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112<!-- https://www.rioleo.org/kowloon/ --><!-- https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/07/kowlooon-walled-city-illustration/ --><!DOCTYPE html><html lang=en> <head> <meta charset=utf-8> <title>The Kowloon Walled City panorama (with English annotations)</title> <script src=jquery-4.0.0.min.js></script> <script src=jquery-ui-1.14.2.min.js></script> <script src=annotation-v2.0.0-beta.2.min.js></script> <link rel=stylesheet href=annotation-v2.0.0-beta.2.css media=all> <style> body, h2 { font-family: "Inter Display", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight:360; line-height:1.5; } body { font-size: large; padding-bottom: 300px; } </style> </head> <body> <h2>The Kowloon Walled City panorama (with English annotations)</h2> <p>The Kowloon Walled City is famous for having been one of the few structures that defied any sense of reality and survived outside the rule of law. While it was demolished between 1993 and 1994, while it stood it was famous for unlicenced practice of medicine, prostitution and the rule of gangs. Despite its haphazard construction, however, there was some sense of order towards the latter part of its existence, with postal service and police rounds as well as a rudimentary sewage system. In 1987 there were apprently 33,000 inhabitants within its 6.5-acre confines (or about 120 times the density of New York City today).</p> <p><img src=cityscape1.png alt="Cityscape of the Kowloon walled city"></p> <p>The amazing detail depicted below owes its existence to Terasawa Hitomi, who illustrated the pages in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%A4%A7%E5%9B%B3%E8%A7%A3%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E-%E4%B9%9D%E9%BE%8D%E5%9F%8E%E6%8E%A2%E6%A4%9C%E9%9A%8A/dp/4000080709">Daizukan Kyuryujyou</a>. While the Japanese book may be hard to get a hold of, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/City-Darkness-Life-Kowloon-Walled/dp/1873200137">City of Darkness</a>" by Lambot and Girard is a fantastic resource. There are also a variety of documentaries on YouTube, including a German one (which I cannot find in good quality). If you don't mind Japanese, I recommend <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No_vQ8FiQiw">this one</a>. I assume all responsibility for any faults in translation. Please <a href="mailto:rio(at)rio(nospam)leo.org">email me</a> if there are blatant omissions or mistakes, or supplemental information.</p> <div><img id=toAnnotate src=crosssection.jpg alt="Kowloon Cross section" width=4716 height=1754></div> <script> var notes = [ { top: 235, left: 2, width: 607, height: 152, text: "Based on actual measurements, this was firstly segmented in the East-West direction. It depicts a panorama during the time the Kowloon walled city was most active, and includes referenced material as well as anecdotal content. 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The mezzanine is where they'll keep ingredients.", id: "id_a4c8f1e0444720d7f8a402cd47a404a0", editable: false }, { top: 1674, left: 565, width: 191, height: 51, text: "The eastside's main road 'Dragon City Road'. One of the few roads with access to exterior light.", id: "id_42e661ebdc82b8487c69d9b851917870", editable: false }, { top: 29, left: 1145, width: 182, height: 30, text: "Relaxed and in a good mood - sunbathing.", id: "id_42e44d2cff80a00fca6a232476326f7e", editable: false }, { top: 113, left: 1174, width: 101, height: 30, text: "Injecting drugs?", id: "id_a493765e77a9047111df97456be78c3e", editable: false }, { top: 355, left: 1106, width: 185, height: 30, text: "The bottom floor is a food factory, the upper floor their residence.", id: "id_5a0d31576805fe64fea99c71a319eb90", editable: false }, { top: 420, left: 1117, width: 178, height: 65, text: "A rooftop garden. 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The upper and lower floors have separate strip joints as well.", id: "id_1142687cdf7d4d410863bd35351bcf6e", editable: false }, { top: 1629, left: 1569, width: 132, height: 32, text: "The 2nd and 3rd floors are Mahjongg parlors.", id: "id_9d318d7bacf7489bae4781ff0468a4e3", editable: false }, { top: 1686, left: 1593, width: 41, height: 30, text: "Cafeteria", id: "id_4877106e7ccae7637ae6c8227a0d80cf", editable: false }, { top: 75, left: 1865, width: 161, height: 47, text: "A toilet and kitchen separated only by a screen.", id: "id_08957411d53c7702b9a2f63023f547a6", editable: false }, { top: 179, left: 1886, width: 76, height: 30, text: "Bathing in the kitchen.", id: "id_83895d1abbb1e182ff43d3a92b16e679", editable: false }, { top: 307, left: 1890, width: 113, height: 30, text: "A hospital with even a surgery room.", id: "id_11b8c4987d49a041fc9a716add153813", editable: false }, { top: 525, left: 1882, width: 126, height: 37, text: "'It's too much trouble to go downstairs to throw it away - here goes!'", id: "id_261fb09653deeeb70ecafef7aa1620d4", editable: false }, { top: 717, left: 1898, width: 74, height: 30, text: "The guys who carry water.", id: "id_485196dab66f33c27c72c4f38f4543b1", editable: false }, { top: 938, left: 1898, width: 78, height: 26, text: "Sausage factory", id: "id_e603099af4d4d0771a5189d4778bb6b9", editable: false }, { top: 1211, left: 1890, width: 98, height: 30, text: "A doctor without a licence.", id: "id_5ef10087601f285815f929d488f22fd5", editable: false }, { top: 1278, left: 1942, width: 57, height: 30, text: "Barber", id: "id_99b4baa88ec179c4a7db5b1967041186", editable: false }, { top: 1313, left: 1945, width: 54, height: 30, text: "Elementary school", id: "id_5f78b021a06b9efb77cd55be669f85d3", editable: false }, { top: 1374, left: 1903, width: 100, height: 46, text: "'There's no food' (say the cats)", id: "id_99edc4fa4e7349cb703310732f999b8f", editable: false }, { top: 1436, left: 1903, width: 100, height: 43, text: "Studying at the edge of the steamed bun factory.", id: "id_9f9167ecae3f8b3481479d0e494dc922", editable: false }, { top: 1663, left: 1932, width: 137, height: 30, text: "Main road: 'Kwon Ming Street'", id: "id_2e238203aa1992237d645d1cf4642937", editable: false }, { top: 1692, left: 2111, width: 78, height: 30, text: "Garbage dump site", id: "id_15e29a81d1746af829adcd51a18193e5", editable: false }, { top: 35, left: 2117, width: 113, height: 47, text: "Two guys - share the stories of our youth?", id: "id_80d9777a193d5da2b356b39051d48b4e", editable: false }, { top: 115, left: 2852, width: 198, height: 41, text: "A balcony with a roof.", id: "id_a02dc4170971fe330eccafa8e6cd85e1", editable: false }, { top: 493, left: 2833, width: 142, height: 45, text: "'Happy Birthday to you!'", id: "id_01908ff34b17e3a7184b4494f964544a", editable: false }, { top: 766, left: 2874, width: 89, height: 48, text: "In a narrow spot, another separator.", id: "id_54b92992a87982e9085f93820ca07d48", editable: false }, { top: 956, left: 2840, width: 143, height: 30, text: "Adult toy wholesaler.", id: "id_4420a4d0de5d8b8bc683ba877682908c", editable: false }, { top: 1015, left: 2869, width: 86, height: 30, text: "(sounds of something throwing things carelessly away)", id: "id_dfa550edbf539f4efc837b7099ef050e", editable: false }, { top: 1320, left: 2814, width: 163, height: 28, text: "Expanding into the next building for more surgery space.", id: "id_9026d21fc589cbdac48e229ffc5d3010", editable: false }, { top: 1261, left: 2826, width: 173, height: 51, text: "Buddhist temples.", id: "id_f2db31e2061d6d2913b40360c656a9c2", editable: false }, { top: 1648, left: 2688, width: 147, height: 30, text: "Toilet paper factory", id: "id_83badac929b4daef110fc6c6e17c4433", editable: false },{ top: 1693, left: 2675, width: 48, height: 30, text: "Baker", id: "id_f30b7f25f10afc8546d3b1cef55f1f05", editable: false }, { top: 1691, left: 2902, width: 82, height: 30, text: "Garbage dump", id: "id_6c4d36a3dd5e5e58abd019cb7794b459", editable: false }, { top: 1637, left: 3070, width: 114, height: 30, text: "Another passageway.", id: "id_0e51aca5eff9bde70e4c02d91b92c7a2", editable: false }, { top: 1668, left: 3044, width: 212, height: 51, text: "The buildings on either side share this same wall. I wonder which building was built first?", id: "id_fea07c8edf51125cab02d9bb595e3761", editable: false }, { top: 1642, left: 3295, width: 147, height: 49, text: "The entrance to many storefronts have these accordion-style doors.", id: "id_f602c42d2c8968cc0ac4cd8a59326229", editable: false }, { top: 1688, left: 3532, width: 109, height: 31, text: "A constant leak.", id: "id_9e351be81824dca5bc5a077d31f25dcd", editable: false }, { top: 1631, left: 3587, width: 131, height: 30, text: "In the process of delivering one chicken?", id: "id_2b3c5d645fea2cf2fcd837b0992dbc49", editable: false },{ top: 1628, left: 3786, width: 42, height: 30, text: "Cafeteria", id: "id_4877106e7ccae7637ae6c8227a0d80cf", editable: false }, { top: 1669, left: 3819, width: 142, height: 57, text: "If you open the window it'll bump into the next building.", id: "id_f81b14eabe3538242594df5a63c09368", editable: false }, { top: 1670, left: 3992, width: 167, height: 48, text: "The dentist's show-window has a row of fillings on display.", id: "id_05d24849160be57d5b624ccf4d2586ff", editable: false },{ top: 1628, left: 4399, width: 143, height: 40, text: "In surgery. Next-door, the family waits.", id: "id_6c3be62fc963ca5ff8b4818b051fdf22", editable: false }, { top: 28, left: 3755, width: 141, height: 30, text: "Even without dirt the trees thrive.", id: "id_64565876d641de28c9540a559c624738", editable: false }, { top: 154, left: 3263, width: 165, height: 30, text: "'Can I join you guys?'", id: "id_4bb527e0386c0c40d233fde516aa21be", editable: false }, { top: 31, left: 3079, width: 249, height: 30, text: "'If you're not a good child you'll be hit with a big fat needle!'", id: "id_fe0754cb97bd58531ad6f531e4ff6297", editable: false }, { top: 184, left: 3768, width: 204, height: 30, text: "A sunroom that extends into the next roof.", id: "id_82f48bc69be3122b3748856271738c25", editable: false }, { top: 329, left: 3876, width: 150, height: 30, text: "A place with a bathtub is rare", id: "id_e8adee67d6c969cf9026964917423b45", editable: false }, { top: 450, left: 3847, width: 123, height: 30, text: "'Oh boy, I slept well!'", id: "id_04d5945cdcebf773811d3d46519c7908", editable: false }, { top: 547, left: 3811, width: 170, height: 30, text: "'Get out of the bathroom now!'", id: "id_85090c8e88f8672cdf4fed486679a3ec", editable: false }, { top: 610, left: 3833, width: 158, height: 30, text: "A hallway that connects to the next building.", id: "id_d6f01cdcc5e0a0e9ba8c2fe44a8a3de1", editable: false }, { top: 125, left: 3963, width: 221, height: 43, text: "For this haphazard building, the walls and roof thicknesses, the height of the ceiling are all different from place to place.", id: "id_53078afef9537a90489e7da7f10901de", editable: false }, { top: 25, left: 4192, width: 169, height: 30, text: "'Excuse me sir, I have brought water.'", id: "id_a9b2d95b197f2631b37e6c9ae381da43", editable: false }, { top: 76, left: 4140, width: 157, height: 30, text: "'Oh, perfect!'", id: "id_720395f6a06c1ff3e45d56176fcfc17a", editable: false }, { top: 148, left: 4385, width: 188, height: 30, text: "'Wait, sister, wait!'", id: "id_1d6cbb54da244c30866f7d41654fb2a0", editable: false }, { top: 237, left: 4415, width: 175, height: 30, text: "'I'm going ahead to the roof!'", id: "id_14cac679a39d3c2090d7c034178465bc", editable: false }, { top: 1602, left: 4484, width: 135, height: 36, text: "'Let's run before we're discovered!'", id: "id_09c498ef3cbc659bcfcdc51c2e1dffb7", editable: false } ];
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