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It’s human nature not to see things that sit right behind our noses. From little details to the complex structures we’re surrounded by every single day.

One such example is the city infrastructure you live in. Our environment is made up of the seemingly never-ending and complex net of physical and organizational structures and facilities, from buildings and roads to power supplies and waste management that make our lives easier, better, and more efficient.

Luckily, there’s this awesome community on Reddit that by sharing high-quality images of incredible infrastructure from all around the world, gives this often overlooked aspect of society the appreciation it deserves. We wrapped up some of the most interesting examples shared on the subreddit for you to enjoy, so I leave the stage to them!

#1

India Has Constructed A 16 Km Long Elevated Highway As To Allow Wild Animals To Pass Underneath It

India Has Constructed A 16 Km Long Elevated Highway As To Allow Wild Animals To Pass Underneath It

Alkit777 Report

#3

Crab Overpass On Christmas Island, Preventing Migrating Crabs From Getting Ran Over

Crab Overpass On Christmas Island, Preventing Migrating Crabs From Getting Ran Over

Theweedhacker_420 Report

A recent report suggests that by 2050, more than 68 percent of the world’s population will live in cities, a growth of 2.5 billion from today. And to meet the needs of their citizens, cities are investing heavily in infrastructure and building space and constantly looking for optimal solutions to cater to this whopping population.

According to Robert Puentes, the president and CEO of the Eno Center for Transportation, which is a non-profit think tank with the mission of improving transportation policy and leadership, well-developed infrastructure is much more than what meets the eye. He argues that rotten roads equal bum economy.

#4

Sart Canal Bridge - La Louvière, Belgium

Sart Canal Bridge - La Louvière, Belgium

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#5

Hands Bridge, Vietnam

Hands Bridge, Vietnam

Teillu Report

#6

Does Beaver Infrastructure Count? This Was At Least 10 Feet Tall, And Extremely Well Built

Does Beaver Infrastructure Count? This Was At Least 10 Feet Tall, And Extremely Well Built

Long_Tall_Downturkey Report

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John Whick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, beaver are short hairy people who have big teeth and eat plants, we accept that in society already

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“Concrete, steel, and fiber-optic cable are the essential building blocks of the economy. Infrastructure enables trade, powers businesses, connects workers to their jobs, creates opportunities for struggling communities and protects the nation from an increasingly unpredictable natural environment,” Puentes argues.

According to Puentes, infrastructure is the backbone of any healthy economy and it includes anything from private investment in telecommunication systems, broadband networks, freight railroads, energy projects and pipelines, to public spending on transportation, water, buildings and parks.

#7

Brusio Spiral Viaduct, Switzerland

Brusio Spiral Viaduct, Switzerland

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#8

Floating Solar Power Plant In Ramagundam, India

Floating Solar Power Plant In Ramagundam, India

I_speak_truth_only Report

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M O'Connell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

100MW capacity, and serves to reduce evaporative losses from the reservoir it is floating in.

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Incredibly, Brookings Institution analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data revealed that 14 million people have jobs in fields directly related to infrastructure. Think of locomotive engineers, airline pilots, truck drivers: these professions make for nearly 11 percent of the nation’s workforce.

#10

Chengyang Yongji Bridge In Liuzhou City, China

Chengyang Yongji Bridge In Liuzhou City, China

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#11

The World's Oldest Underground Station 157 Years Apart

The World's Oldest Underground Station 157 Years Apart

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#12

A Curve At B31, 79874 Breitnau, Germany

A Curve At B31, 79874 Breitnau, Germany

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Puentes explains that the US has seen tremendous growth in population with 25 million people added in the past 10 years, which is concentrated in the 50 largest metropolitan areas. “It will place new demands on already overtaxed infrastructure. Metropolitan areas must be ready to adapt not only to serve millions of new customers but also to help poorer residents, many of whom are jobless, have the best chance possible to find work,” he states.

#13

Sea Cliff Bridge, New South Wales, Australia

Sea Cliff Bridge, New South Wales, Australia

tanmaypendse63 Report

#15

A Rare Mid-Construction Shot Of The Golden Bridge Being Built In California, 1935

A Rare Mid-Construction Shot Of The Golden Bridge Being Built In California, 1935

biwook Report

“Despite the importance of infrastructure, the US has not spent enough for decades to maintain and improve it. It accounts for about 2.5 percent of the economy, compared to about 3.9 percent spent in Canada, Australia and South Korea, 5 percent for Europe and 9-12 percent in China,” Puentes continues.

He adds that the US must spend at least $150 billion more a year on infrastructure through 2020 to meet its needs. This would add about 1.5 percent to annual economic growth and create at least 1.8 million jobs. The question is, will they do this?

#16

The Uninhabited Island Of Baljenac In The Adriatic Sea

The Uninhabited Island Of Baljenac In The Adriatic Sea

Uninhabited except for a 14-mile network of low stone walls. Built by residents of a nearby island to separate crop fields and vineyards.

el_empty Report

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#18

Road Connecting Different Islands In Åland Islands

Road Connecting Different Islands In Åland Islands

Racingamer145 Report

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it possible to buy one of those and live all alone and only go out when you need supplies? Asking for a friend who is me.

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#19

Panlong Road Aerial View

Panlong Road Aerial View

wmdolls Report

#20

Curved Pedestrian Bridge Links Two Riverfront Parks In Providence, Rhode Island

Curved Pedestrian Bridge Links Two Riverfront Parks In Providence, Rhode Island

tanmaypendse63 Report

#21

Arc De Triomphe, From Above

Arc De Triomphe, From Above

Adventurous_Sense750 Report

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Adam Jeff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It might look pretty but it is NOT 'well-planned infrastructure'. It is traditionally one of the worst traffic jam spots in Paris.

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#22

The Escalators At The Wheaton Metro Station In Maryland Are The Longest Single Span Escalators In The Western Hemisphere At 230 Feet. I'm Surprised No Action Movie Fight Scenes Have Been Filmed Here

The Escalators At The Wheaton Metro Station In Maryland Are The Longest Single Span Escalators In The Western Hemisphere At 230 Feet. I'm Surprised No Action Movie Fight Scenes Have Been Filmed Here

kernals12 Report

#23

New Cycling Lane In Delhi, A Sign Of Things To Come For The Whole City

New Cycling Lane In Delhi, A Sign Of Things To Come For The Whole City

Hiif4 Report

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joe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the fact that this is genuinely separate from the rest of the traffic (and bordered by trees).

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#24

Mountain And Sea Trail In Xiamen, China

Mountain And Sea Trail In Xiamen, China

tanmaypendse63 Report

#25

Forth Rail Bridge, Scotland

Forth Rail Bridge, Scotland

tanmaypendse63 Report

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Frank Hassler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that the Firth of Fouth? Or did it take them just 4 tries to make such an excellent bridge?

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#27

Fukashiro Dam, Yamanashi, Japan

Fukashiro Dam, Yamanashi, Japan

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#28

Warsaw Subway. Because It's Very Young System, New Stations Look Very Impressive. It's Also One Of The Cleanest Subway Systems In Europe

Warsaw Subway. Because It's Very Young System, New Stations Look Very Impressive. It's Also One Of The Cleanest Subway Systems In Europe

umotex12 Report

#31

Thyssenkrupp Elevators Test Tower In Guangzhou, China

Thyssenkrupp Elevators Test Tower In Guangzhou, China

tanmaypendse63 Report

#32

Chicago's Wells Street Bridge

Chicago's Wells Street Bridge

morganmonroe81 Report

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Potato Chimps
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's super cool about this river is that they reversed the flow to prevent the spread of disease. Not only is it beautiful, but amazing engineering as well.

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#33

Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway China

Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway China

Yonglimon Report

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Unknown
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at all that wide open space! Can we start sending the people destroying the Earth there to live? I like my trees...

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#34

Urban Ropeway, Kisha-Michi Bridge, Yokohama, Japan

Urban Ropeway, Kisha-Michi Bridge, Yokohama, Japan

tanmaypendse63 Report

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Brandon Marlowe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need this in Nashville, Tennessee. Downtown has not enough parking and LOTS of people who could commute this way.

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#35

Underground Urban Highway In Tehran, Iran

Underground Urban Highway In Tehran, Iran

biwook Report

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Brandon Marlowe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sad that Iran is now adversarial with most of the "free" world. The Persian people have an amazing culture and we enjoyed a good relationship with them for a long time. I hope we can somehow get back to that. Supporting the Shah turned out to be a huge mistake.

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Note: this post originally had 46 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

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