Kowloon (quartiere di Hong Kong)

Kowloon Walled City was a densely populated, largely ungoverned settlement in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Originally a Chinese military fort, the Walled City became an enclave after the new Territories were leased to Britain in 1898. Its population increased dramatically following the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. From the 1950s through the 1970s, it was controlled by Triads and had high rates of prostitution, gambling and drug use. In 1987, the Walled City contained 33,000 residents within its 0.03 km2 borders. In January 1987, the Hong Kong government announced plans to demolish the Walled City. After an arduous eviction process, demolition began in March 1993 and was completed in April 1994.