The Water Village of Kampong Ayer
On the banks of Brunei River, which flows through Brunei's capital city Bandar Seri Begawan, is a settlement consisting of 42 contiguous stilt villages called Kampong Ayer, or the Water Village, which has been inhabited for over 1,300 years. Half of the city�s population live here � about 30,000 people, which is nearly 10% of the entire population of the country. Kampong Ayer is the world�s biggest settlement on stilts.
Apparently, things are quite nice here. There are schools, police stations, fire stations, clinics, markets and mosques, all constructed on stilts and linked together by 36 kilometers of walkways and footbridges. Houses are simple but modern and built with concrete and wood, while older houses are being continually repaired with modern materials. Each house is supplied with electricity and clean water. Transport lines, sanitation, garbage disposal system, internet access and postal service are some of the amenities available.
Photo credit: Bernard Spragg/Flickr
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