Thought this was fascinating.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kowloon_Walled_City

quote Most structures were built on top of one another over time, not as free-standing towers. Picture crude manufactured homes stacked one on top of another, left to right, bottom to top – but due to proximity to the airport, no structure exceeded a height of 14 stories tall. Alleyways were only 3-5 feet wide, had poor lighting, and very poor drainage. The maze of staircases and alleys was so extensive one could walk around the city without ever touching the ground. Construction was unregulated and thus conditions were very poor and unsafe; most residential units were 250 sq. ft. and had no foundations or utilities. The population density at its peak was 3.25 million people per square mile. To put that in perspective, Hong Kong as a whole (itself one of the most densely populated regions on Earth) has a population density of 17,000 people per square mile.

A city built with no rules, no laws, no taxes, no engineers, architects. Wow!





Makes you feel lucky to live in the States!

[This message has been edited by masospaghetti (edited 06-07-2013).]

gone now
torn down about 1988

Yeah I know they tore it down. Still fascinating though.

That's pretty cool.

The thing I find the most fascinating is this:

quote The maze of staircases and alleys was so extensive one could walk around the city without ever touching the ground

Hong Kong is one of the best cities I have ever been to. It is fantastic.

Yeah! It's crazy pack and everybody lives in highrises.

It's a must visit for anybody.

I remember that place being in the Van Damme movie Bloodsport

quote Originally posted by masospaghetti: A city built with no rules, no laws, no taxes, no engineers, architects. Wow! Makes you feel lucky to live in the States!

Not me. Here is a picture of Harlem ... :

Not much different.
Where did you get the no rules, no laws, no taxes part ? I think that is pretty amazing (the structure which clearly lasted for a long time).
I would not even live in an apartment complex of any kind because of the possible havoc caused by a careless neighbor. I would however love to build my home and shop as I see fit.

quote Originally posted by masospaghetti: Makes you feel lucky to live in the States!

Not with Obama as prez it don't.

Kevin

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Where did you get the no rules, no laws, no taxes part ? I think that is pretty amazing (the structure which clearly lasted for a long time).

I believe the city was technically on British land but the British didn't care about it. That meant the local governments has no jurisdiction over the city and couldn't do anything about it.

quote Not with Obama as prez it don't.

Thanks for bringing politics into this thread with a completely ignorant comment.

quote Originally posted by masospaghetti: Thanks for bringing politics into this thread with a completely ignorant comment.

I knew it was "ignorant" with the word Obama in it, but the statement is completely "true", and your welcome.


Kevin