Kowloon Walled City, once dubbed the densest settlement on Earth, has captivated imaginations since its demolition in the mid-1990s. At its peak in the 1980s, it housed approximately 33,000 residents, with some estimates suggesting the number could have been as high as 50,000—all within a mere 2.6 hectares, an area smaller than five American football fields or about 2.5 blocks in New York City.
This unique urban landscape began its journey as a military outpost during the Song Dynasty, evolving into a Qing dynasty fort by 1810. Situated within Kowloon City, Hong Kong, the area remained largely undeveloped under British control following the Treaty of Nanking in 1842. By 1940, the settlement consisted of only a government office, a school, and a single house, but it soon transformed into a bustling metropolis.
The allure of Kowloon Walled City continues to resonate, drawing the attention of creators like Sluda Builds on YouTube. His ambitious Minecraft project meticulously reconstructs the city, capturing its intricate skyscrapers, interconnected passageways, and the unique landscape that often eludes traditional photography.
Characterized by buildings that were almost conjoined, Kowloon Walled City featured a labyrinth of ad hoc doorways and halls, allowing residents to traverse the city without ever stepping outside. The limited outdoor space was primarily composed of narrow pathways, just wide enough for foot traffic.
The city’s development was largely unregulated, a result of its ambiguous governance. While the British maintained minimal involvement, the Nationalist Chinese Government began asserting jurisdiction in the mid-20th century. Following the influx of refugees from the Chinese Civil War, the population surged dramatically, particularly after a devastating fire in 1950 that left over 17,000 residents homeless.
Sluda’s Minecraft rendition of Kowloon Walled City emphasizes its architectural complexity through a vibrant and organized digital medium. He is drawn to the settlement not only for its notorious history but also for its enigmatic aesthetic appeal. “These are serious high-rise buildings, some reaching 14 stories tall, yet constructed in a vernacular style reminiscent of human-scale neighborhoods,” Sluda explains. “The sheer amount of character in just one building is fascinating, but when placed alongside 50 others, each unique, it contributes to the city’s iconic status.”
For those intrigued by this remarkable project, Sluda Builds offers a treasure trove of content on his YouTube channel and Instagram. Additionally, the captivating photographs of Kowloon Walled City by Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze and the illustrated guide by Hitomi Terasawa provide further insights into this extraordinary urban phenomenon.
