Apr 07, 2010 this is an old 1970s rthk tv short programme on the life in the walled city of kowloon, hong kong. Demolished in the early 90s, the city was the site of once one of the most densest population. It documents life on a parallelogram covering only 2. A photographic record of kowloon walled city a city within a city, now demolished and its 35,000 inhabitants rehoused. Kowloon walled city, once the most crowded place on. This story is excerpted and adapted from james crawfords book, fallen glory. One example from recent history sheds light on just how such a situation could work. Photographic video of kowloon walled city, the city of darkness.
The strange saga of kowloon walled city atlas obscura. Kowloon walled city was an ungoverned, densely populated settlement in kowloon city, hong kong. By 1990, the walled city contained 50,000 residents within. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city 1993 ian lambot greg. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city 1993 ian. A wonderful, yet shocking book by ian lambot and greg girard.
This book is truly a fantastic compilation of the walled citys residents and their personal history which reflects china and hong kongs political and economic. City of darkness revisited is a photo book and cultural history of kowloon walled city, a largely ungoverned, densely populated enclave within hong kong. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city 1993 ian lambot. Id just like to say how impressed i was, not only with the book but how well it was. Todays infographic is a fantastic editorial illustration from south china morning post from 20 that takes a detailed look at the inner workings of kowloon walled city kwc. Aug 31, 1993 girard and lambot spent four years exploring the notorious walled city of kowloon hong kong, before its final clearance in 1992. Twenty years later, girard and lambot released city of darkness revisited, underscoring the timelessness and enduring legacy of this singular community. Containing interviews and commentary, the book tells the citys history, and how the selfsufficient community lived and worked in so little a space in such apparent harmony. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city photo book. And so it might have remained but in 20, with interest in the walled city continuing to grow, another reprint seemed inappropriate. Girard and lambot spent four years exploring the notorious walled. Demolished in the early 90s, the city was the site.
Welcome to kowloon walled city, one of the most misunderstood. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city photo book in japanese japanese jp oversized 4. See more ideas about kowloon walled city, walled city and city. The kowloon walled city was a singular hong kong phenomenon. Apr 20, 20 after the japanese invasion of hong kong during the second world war, china reclaimed the rights to kowloon walled city, an exmilitary fort. City of darkness is a book about life in kowloon walled city, a book that is, in fact, about density. Kowloon walled city was home to 50,000 residents and was controversial since 1898, when it was the only part of hong kong, which the imperial chinese government refused to hand over to the british.
Life in kowloon walled city city of darkness revisited. Life in kowloon walled city, published in 1993, left off. Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. Jan 06, 2020 kowloon walled city was built without regulations. Photographic video of kowloon walled city, the city of. Life in kowloon walled city by lambot, ian, lambot, ian, girard, greg isbn. This is an old 1970s rthk tv short programme on the life in the walled city of kowloon, hong kong. Because of the continued interest, greg girard is working with his fellow kowloon walled city photographer ian lambot to finish a new book of their stunning photographs, entitled city of darkness. Originally a chinese military fort, the walled city became an enclave after the new territories were leased to the uk by china in 1898.
Darkness and life stories from the kowloon walled city. First visiting kowloon walled city over 25 years ago, greg girard and ian lambots 1993 book city of darkness. Designed and edited by greg girard and ian lambot, the team behind city of darkness. City of darkness revisited by ian lambot and greg girard kickstarter. Saw yesterdays submission about that japanese arcade and remembered i had this.
A fascinating report from the south china morning post looks at what life in the walled city was like, revealing a closeknit, selfsustaining community that loved their home, despite poor living. A historical accident of colonial hong kong, it existed in a lawless vacuum until it became an embarrassment for britain. Please help greg girard and ian lambot complete the new edition of their book about life in kowloon walled city. Updated and expanded new volume, picking up where city of darkness. Its population increased dramatically following the japanese occupation of hong kong during world war ii. Mar 31, 2014 the city of darkness revisited by greg girard and ian lambot is a book that updates and expands the record of hong kongs astonishing kowloon walled city 20 years after its demolition. Beautiful book about life in an island of buildings in kowloon city. The best material from the first book has been retained and new material has been added, bringing the total page count up to 356. It was time, we decided, to produce an allnew edition and bring the story up to date.
City of darkness life in kowloon walled city photo book in. Life in kowloon walled city, the selfsustaining city of darkness. Life in kowloon walled city 97818732001 and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Life in kowloon walled city, the selfsustaining city of. The area that the walled city occupied is now called kowloon walled city park. With over 320 photographs, 32 extended interviews, and essays on the city s history and character, this reprint is not only an informative glimpse of a now vanished landmark but a sensitive and penetrating portrait of a unique community. The lives and deaths of historys greatest buildings. Life in kowloon walled city remained in print for almost 20 years, an extraordinary record for book of this kind.
Though demolished 20 years ago, fascination in kowloon walled city just. In the second half of the 19th century, the chinese were facing invasion by the british, who held hong kong island. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Though demolished 20 years ago, fascination in kowloon walled city just continues to grow, fired in part by the many urban legends that forever swirl around this extraordinary community. Jul 17, 2018 girard and lambot spent four years exploring the notorious walled city of kowloon hong kong before it\ s final clearance in 1992.
Originally a military fort, the walled city saw its population rise dramatically during the second world war. A photographic record of kowloon walled city a city within a city, now demolished, and its 35,000 inhabitants rehoused. Containing interviews and commentary, the book tells the citys history, and how the selfsufficient community lived and worked in so little space in such apparent harmony. With over 320 photographs, 32 extended interviews, and essays on the city s history and character, this reprint is not only an informative glimpse of a now. Life in kowloon walled city, this new publication questions those. Life in kowloon walled city, first hit bookshelves in april of 1993, shortly after demolition began on the settlement. Perfect condition difficult for a softbacked book, and delivered quickly. Jon resnick, popular culture and the walled city, in city of darkness revisited, 190. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city photo book japan.
Girard and lambot spent four years exploring the notorious walled city of kowloon hong kong before it\ s final clearance in 1992. Girard and lambot spent four years exploring the notorious walled city of kowloon hong kong, before its final clearance in 1992. Kowloon walled city, located not far from the former kai tak airport, was a remarkable highrise squatter camp that by the 1980s had 50,000 residents. Designed and edited by greg girard and ian lambot the team behind city of darkness. For a photo archive, please click the link to purchase a book called city of darkness. The life and death of an impossible city kickstarter. The history of the kowloon walled city dates from the sung dynasty of 9601297, when it began as a small fort to house the imperial soldiers who controlled the salt trade. As refugees fled to the area, the walled city became. Darkness and life stories from the kowloon walled city before its demolition in 1994 the settlement in hong kong was the most densely populated place in the world books, arts and culture prospero. Life in kowloon walled city ian lambot, ian lambot, ian lambot, greg girard on.