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Not every building is as beautiful as the Palace of Versailles. Or blends into its surroundings as well as the Macallan Distillery. On the contrary, there are many structures across the world looking like outcasts that will fall apart during the next storm. In some places, they aren't isolated examples, either — even an entire neighborhood can be an abomination. And you can find them on r/UrbanHell.

It's a photography subreddit of "all the hideous places human beings built or inhabit." The online community invites everyone who wants to explore the darker side of the cities, towns, and villages in our shared world and welcomes any photos which show either ugliness, or a problem in urban development. Rural and suburban nightmares are also allowed.

Below you will find a collection of pics that perfectly describe what this subreddit is all about.

#1

The Annual Monsoon Ritual Of Mumbai's Ocean Giving Back What Has Been Dumped In It

The Annual Monsoon Ritual Of Mumbai's Ocean Giving Back What Has Been Dumped In It

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galinatsoneva avatar
SlartyBlartFast
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only nature could actually give back all the trash to us, maybe we will see the damage we are doing :(

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About half of the global population already lives in cities, and by 2050, two-thirds of the world's people are expected to live in urban areas. But as you can see from some of the photos in r/UrbanHell, in cities, two of the most pressing problems facing the world today also come together: poverty and environmental degradation.

Bad urban development isn't just ugly aesthetics. It's also poor air and water quality, insufficient water availability, waste-disposal problems, and high energy consumption, all of which are exacerbated by the increasing population density and demands of urban environments. Strong city planning is essential in managing these and other difficulties as the world's urban areas grow.

#3

New Delhi - During Lockdown vs. Now

New Delhi - During Lockdown vs. Now

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SlartyBlartFast
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a few months earth took a breath, then humans came back with a vengeance :(

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Some of the biggest problems caused by urbanization are:

  • Intensive urban growth can lead to greater poverty, with local governments unable to provide services for all people;
  • Concentrated energy use. It leads to greater air pollution with a significant impact on human health;
  • Automobile exhaust produces elevated lead levels in urban air;
  • Large volumes of uncollected waste create multiple health hazards;
  • Urban development can magnify the risk of environmental hazards such as flash flooding;
  • Pollution and physical barriers to root growth promote loss of urban tree cover;
  • Animal populations are inhibited by toxic substances, vehicles, and the loss of habitat and food sources.
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#7

It's Baffling How Fast It Changes

It's Baffling How Fast It Changes

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Solutions might include:

  • Combat poverty by promoting economic development and job creation;
  • Involve local community in local government;
  • Reduce air pollution by upgrading energy use and alternative transport systems;
  • Create private-public partnerships to provide services such as waste disposal and housing;
  • Plant trees and incorporate the care of city green spaces as a key element in urban planning.

Ultimately, cities can bring us obstacles and opportunities as well as freedom and captivity, and it's up to us to get the most out of them.

#9

People Offering Prayers At River Yamuna, India, Which Is Frothing From Industrial Waste

People Offering Prayers At River Yamuna, India, Which Is Frothing From Industrial Waste

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And none of these fools has the sense to even consider that bathing in industrial waste speeds up your reincarnation process.

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#10

Hotel In Łodz, Poland

Hotel In Łodz, Poland

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its not a nuclear cooling tower. It is for a heating, electric and hotwater generating plant ( TETS in Russian) most are coal or gas powered and that is for releasing steam.

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#11

An Interesting Perspective I've Stumbled Upon In Macau A Year Ago

An Interesting Perspective I've Stumbled Upon In Macau A Year Ago

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Raven Sheridan
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The difference between the have's and the have not's, in one photo.

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#12

Petare, Venezuela

Petare, Venezuela

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#13

Before And After A Desert Is Turned Into A Soulless Suburb Of A Desert. Jk, Its A Single Photo Of Arizona

Before And After A Desert Is Turned Into A Soulless Suburb Of A Desert. Jk, Its A Single Photo Of Arizona

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leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The water waste hurts. Why do you want lawns in a desert? If you want green lawns, move to England (no offense, England. You have the rainfall, is all.)

tiggy750 avatar
Tiggy Darling
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm from England. No problem. Am typing this with one hand so I can hold my umbrella in the other.

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Full of Giggles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For y’all wondering why we have grass in the desert: 1) It’s safer than dirt, gravel, and concrete for kids to play on. Especially during the summer in Phoenix when it’s 115F outside. That s**t burns. True story. 2) Protects paws when our doggos and kitties need to go outside during the summer. Again, 115F burns. 3) It helps detect and deter scorpions as they like to hide under rocks and in dark places. * With all that being said, Arizona does have a couple native species of grass that require minimal water. Kinda like a cactus. Most cities in the Phoenix metro area offer grey water irrigation. I irrigate every other month from March to November and my grass stays green.

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Potato
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They also have natural wildlife that I'm sure benefits from plants

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Dana 2.0
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The lowest temperatures there are already around 95 F this early in the year, with the outside being literally unlivable most of the time. Arizona is not a place man was meant to inhabit.

andreadevine avatar
Full of Giggles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Man has been living in Arizona long before Jesus was born. The Native Americans pioneered sustainable agriculture practices that are still used today.

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Rez Fidel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is ist allowed to have lawns which are in need of massive watering in the middle of a f*****g desert? This is insane..

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Eulalie Grace
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We lived in Tucson AZ for 15 years. We didn't see many lawns there. Phoenix has more lawns, and higher humidity. In all that heat ...

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Gabby M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, why hate on Arizona. The desert is full of life, just a different kind.

dmarsh avatar
Daniel Marsh
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Urban nightmare? Large spacious homes, private yards, swimming pools... Anywhere but in the middle of a desert, I'd say it's what people used to dream of.

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Jackie Porter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe the land to the left of the picture is a Native American reservation but I could be wrong. I'm pretty sure I've seen this picture in other lists on Bored Panda

jeannielsen11 avatar
Jean Nielsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why? Why do you think it's a reservation? Do you think that the people living on the reservation don't take care of their land? It's probably not. It's just undeveloped land.

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Diana Hockley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my husband and I were in the States in 2012, the first "outlandish" thing I came across was the loo at Los Angeles airport! It was full of water when I stepped into the cubicle. "OMG, it's blocked!!" A quick glance outside the door showed that there were no other loos available and I was busting! "Okay, I'll have to brave it and run before it pours over the top!" Flushed automatically - another shock - and the whirlpool took it all away! Here in Australia, we use a minimum of water to flush, but in the USA they allow the toilets to fill with water as soon as they are emptied! No wonder there is a huge shortage.

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oddly swimming pools are way worse. Most toilets in the US since I think the early 2000s have to be low-flow. The bowl looks full but that's your water. A couple liters a flush, rather than the old 3-5 gallon jobs.

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Farid Red
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The houses that facing the desert will have hard time in cleaning dust every hour.

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LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brain..hurts… the neighborhood on the bottom left has no exit? Or am I not seeing it

randilee_1 avatar
Randi Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are trees, not lawns....And obviously, we've cut our water usage by 50%.

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LB
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"souless suburb" is the left's way of judging the fact that people still desire the American dream, with a home of their own and backyard... This modern engineering that allows us to build in the desert is a remarkable achievement. Don't choose it if you don't want it. But stop judging.

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

I guess it must be fun in the heat, wasting precious electricity on AC that doesn't work, wasting future generations' water. But hey. You do you 🤷

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Klaatu Verrata (Cough)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The left is an Indigenous reservation. "Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation/Suburb, Scottsdale, Arizona, 2011” illustrates changes development reaps: The reservation at the left shows a barren, brush-filled expanse, a huge contrast to the crammed suburb, packed with curvy streets, cul de sacs, homes and pools."

nitramen2 avatar
Elizabeth
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The lack of a lawn to take care of was my dad’s favorite part about living in Arizona (it was literally all rocks and gravel with a couple of cactuses). He complains everyday about having to water the grass now that we’re in Texas.

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

As an AZ native, PLEASE if the one on the right is what you desire, we don't CARE how much money you have, go BACK to California! And STAY OUT!

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

They sell fake grass and paint rocks green. If you want grass move to Oregon or somewhere. I live in Arizona on 3.5 acres. We got alot of rain (less than 10 days) in 2021 so I had alot of weeds grow and tree saplings. In 2020 I got no rain so many of my trees just feel over with the small roots exposed. I had a 20 ft almond tree blow away somewhere. I have no irrigation but I do fill my kiddle pools daily for my ducks and chickens and geese and use the old water for plants. Its probably not the best place for ducks but I love them so much. I just hope we dont his 119 degrees like last year when I lost six chickens that I loved so much. Its only going to get worse each year. I notice weather changes each year since I work outside.

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Duane Johnston
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are trees. 99% of yards in Phoenix are colored gravel or pools. Only a very few plots of land have grass or gardens

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John Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

arizona real estate went insane, everyone moving out of california and las vegas

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CbusResident
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My fellow liberal-progressives: Stop building that housing!!! Also them: Why's there no affordable housing!?!?! And I grew up in a place some would call a 'soulless suburb of Columbus, Ohio,' but in our home in our 'soulless suburb' we had warm gatherings, holiday dinners, birthdays, graduations and funerals and all kinds of memories. The people who live in those houses in this picture probably wouldn't say they live in a 'soulless' community. And are you, my oh-so-precious-fellow-progressives automatically interesting b/c you live in an urban loft or urban something or other? That doesn't mean you're necessarily worthy or interesting.

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April Pickett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand the undeveloped portion is a Native American reservation.

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myeviltwinbrother
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This much better use of land than to destroy fertile land that should be used for farming etc

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Alex Travous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you zoom in you can see that most of the yards are actually rocks with trees. I grew up in Arizona and rarely did anyone have grass in their front yard.

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A Shipper
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like the Scottsdale neighborhood I used to live in. It was right next to the Pima Indian Reservation. It really wasn’t that bad and there wasn’t a lot of wasted water. We had a gravel front yard and so did most other people.

kpalp232 avatar
BlahBlahBlackSheepah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idk this doesn't bother me. Maybe it should. I don't know why desserts are important to maintain

gem_ini avatar
Gem Ini
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And we have the nerve to laugh at photo's of other countries. The sheer amount of energy and water it takes to make the desert livable is outrageous. And for anyone living there to complain about that cost, is equally outrageous.

amberv avatar
Amber V
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess the benefits of it is at least they are bringing some greenery to the desert 🤷🏻‍♀️

noahn avatar
Noah N
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

most all of the green in the images are native trees that require no additional water. Many times they are thorn trees too. The rest of the landscape for areas like this is usually some kind of succulent or rocks. These areas are basically regreening the desert through active planting of sustainable local vegetation.

altezzosoburton avatar
Altezzoso Burton
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Respectfully, I doubt it is sustainable due to drought seasons. Also, AC tends to be on constantly in order to avoid heatstroke, so no going outside most of the time, and no saving electricity. More sweating means more bathing, which wastes water. I have lived in very hot places before, by the way.

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

This suburb looks quite nice. And as an added bonus, you can easily take walks into the wilderness just outside your house :)

maryo_1 avatar
MAKtheknife
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should have left it a desert. God, this is ugly and I know people who live there.

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Hughes H-4 Hercules
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of that is astroturf. At least it was where I lived in the desert in NM. The unis and govt used astro and most of the peeps used xenoscaping or astro

samanthamelvin avatar
Samantha Melvin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some Native plants in AZ are very green, eg., the Palo Verde (Spanish for green) trees. And, certain parts of the desert will be vibrant with color during monsoon season. Hills orange and green with California poppies. But I do agree that most lawns are wasteful unless very thoughtfully planned. As some people have stated, some homes and some communities utilize grey water. That’s what my family used when I was growing up in AZ.

gs_2 avatar
G S
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband and built a beautiful home in this neighbourhood in AZ. My husband had lived in AZ before. I’m not a desert person. I have to have trees, real, not man made lakes, desert landscaping (rocks). Then we took a look around and realised they were going to build all the way out into the hills. That was 2004. Look at it now. They tore down orange and lemon groves, flower fields to do this. We sold the house at a profit and moved away and I am so happy we did.

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Maitheunicorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually like this photo..... Idk the US,but wow....Arizona sure has a lot of green and trees and looks very tidy/planned....

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Ms. Ladybug
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Spots shouldn’t be so crammed and over developed.. leave some natural area in between the housing smh! Destruction of nature!

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Billy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"You can't describe suburban sprawl in one picture!"

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Jonah Vancuran
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

at least were finding ways to use the giant pit of sand. it does not to much environmental damage in general because the desert is big and it not inhabited by many creatures

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Olive Adagio
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, Arizona. Where the sun is too hot and people continue to be idiots like everywhere else on this planet,

eschwarz avatar
e schwarz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lawns are so very arbitrary and stupid convention unless you really use them.

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phil blanque
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is sad that development has shifted from urban neighborhoods with high density residences, with stores, parks, and restaurants within walking distance to sprawling subdivisions that require people to drive everywhere. and they are not even natural, peaceful, or pretty. No green space.

fatnnnsassy avatar
Fattz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks really nice now. May as well make use of space.

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Jeff Bunn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good point!! Why the heck are they trying to keep their lawns green when Lake Powell is drying up??? Their main source of fresh water is at it’s lowest of all time, and they have to have green lawns??? FOOLS!!! Tucson has sand lawns!! That’s what makes sense for the desert!!!

dcloud1943 avatar
Dorothy Cloud
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see a lot of trees and maybe bushes, can't see lawns. Maybe too far away.

thenson229 avatar
Tanya Henson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm from the burbs. It looks a lot nicer than the barren dirt on the left!

kotlc_hamiltonn_erd9 avatar
Why_is_life_?
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s, horrible. I bet people fight to not be on the left side of the car

lesliehill avatar
Leslie Hill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watched it happen in Las Vegas visiting from 1980- 2010. All the surrounding land is developed to the mountains. Before there was a huge circle of desert with all the wildlife. Burros, roadrunners! Wil E Coyote … beepbeep

detox avatar
De Tox
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's more trees now at least and nice homes. Even in the desert you can get water from condensing the air. We just need to be smarter about living.

bucara41 avatar
David Niño
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think the future looks very promising in this part of world with no water

mishte_tine avatar
Mishte Tine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A before and after would look somewhat like this. I saw it happen. It was so fast.

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Thomas E S Thomas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait a few years, the trees will be covering most of the homes. The right side will be around 30 degrees cooler on the hottest days. The changes the urban forest will bring to the desert nextdoor will also be amazing, bringing in plants and animals in abundance due to the perspiration of the trees. Look at Phoenix or Vegas.

lastochka avatar
Mariya Lastovkina
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, the place before had a character. Now it is a cookie-cutter eastshore suburb forced upon the desert. Complete detachment from reality and violence to the nature.

bbarb918 avatar
Barbara L Bristow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does anyone want a lawn, period ? The rolling prairie was way more beautiful

tvaldez577 avatar
Not PC
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not kidding! It's true! We have enough deserts turned into water guzzling suburbs. This has to stop until we find a sustainable way. Mars doesn't count.

wlbrown12 avatar
Warren Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, look at the picture before this one, and you’ll appreciate why some people want to live in a desert!!

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Judy Rahn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like someone drew a line and said 'this far and no further'

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Cathy Carey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like that one of New York with the street dissecting central park and the city

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Cathy Comfort
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eh, don't worry, they can just keep draining the Colorado River to water their bright green foliage.

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Teresa Groth
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most yards are covered with plain or colored gravel because you usually cannot afford the water payment to water the lawns! I lived there 30 years and I left because I love green terrain and tons of the green trees!

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Osprey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Years ago they should have put up a wall east of 75 in the Everglades.

boppa99 avatar
Simon Smith
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Iam Suprised, Australia hasn't done that, l guess more people in America, l see it from a plane. How bare Australia is inland 🇦🇺😁

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Eileen Schwab
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, that's Camelback mountain viewed from the northeast. That's frightening, and I have relatives that live near there, although not in that type of soulless, crammed subdivision, thank heavens

nomada24 avatar
Pablo CK
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because if you plant enough plants and trees, the desert does not stay as a desert. Human activities can do good things, not only bad ones

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Candia Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they are using AC instead of swamp coolers, they're devouring electricity at an enormous rate.

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Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Besides the heat, the other HUGE reason I will never live in central Arizona despite it being where my grandchildren reside: EVERYTHING is khaki, olive drab or adobe orange YEAR ROUND. I much prefer the ever-changing greenery on and above the ground here in Utah.

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Patricia Tornborg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This country has sold itself a constant repetition of The American Dream being a “Home of your own”! It’s not fair to then look at a place like this and call it SOULLESS....those are all dreamers in those houses, and to them, getting out of a city was important. The environment pays for follies like this, but people get their dreams!

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Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m sure with a little bit of research planners could design environment appropriate gardens.

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Cinzabeary
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is exactly how I envision Arizona. Both pics.

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Camilla Koutsos
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least in this one it's greener in urban hell than the pristine land is. Yes, I'm trying the glass half full approach.

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Sunshine Sunshine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmmm have you thought about the necessary irrigation? That will empty that half full glass pretty quickly

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

The thing is, with the greenery, is that urbanization creates oxygen in places that never used to create any. Is this good or bad? Is oxygen a greenhouse gas? Maybe not. Maybe making more oxygen is good.

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

We need to fix the oceans, stop polluting it with toys, chemicals, and cheap fragile items. The oceans are more important than even the rainforest. Also, as someone who lived in a very hot state, people can't go outside most of the time due to weather. While inside buildings or cars, AC must run 24/7. Are these ACs solar powered? If not, it is a part of the problem.

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Sheila Murphy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I spent about 10 minutes going over the picture on the right at the highest magnification I can coax out of my laptop. I couldn't find a single solar panel. Here they've got an inexhaustible resource....the sun.....and no one is using it. I was in Colorado a couple of times in the last 6 months. Same thing, Very few solar panels. We are idiots.

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Cheryl C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just wrong in so many ways. Just one is the way water is stolen from its natural home, leaving devastation and a destroyed environment behind.

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Shaun Coleman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would they build a city in a desert? The US has plenty of land with water.

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Charmwashere
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stop trying to make deserts green!! Ffs! and people wonder why we can't make due with the Colorado river during drought.

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Buzz Anderson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doing the same thing in Las Vegas. Greedy politicians and greedier developers are destroying the desert. I shouldn't talk but we DID move her in 1963 originally.

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lemsip
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Traditionally people would settle near sources of water and towns and cities grew around major rivers. Why build a city in the middle of the desert where water is needed for drinking, cooking, bathing and manufacture and where the desert is constantly creeping in on the edges of the city? Los Angeles relies on water from melted snow in the Sierra mountains and the main river bed is usually dry.

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Buzz Anderson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have the same problem in Vegas. Destroying the desert as other cities have over priced the ability to live in them.

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Doreen Jack
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly Arizona and the people there will be without water before they know it! So much for our acres of produce that come from there...will expire before they know it!

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Shirley Heyn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd like to see another photo after they shut off the Lake Mead/Hoover Dam water this year due to drought. Absolutely no planning. . .!

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Catherine Spencer-Mills
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The second reason I won't move back the AZ. The first is the heat and dryness. The second is the environmental degradation brought about by all the crazies who "love" the heat.

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Mónica Elisabeth Sacco
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And they want air conditioning cause,well, they live at the desert, don't they? And it's hot, isn't it? So they pollute the atmosphere with excess of humidity plus combustión gases to keep electric centrals working to supply power for air conditioning... And so on...

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Mjw Gjgema
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the water is coming from a river that is so being drained by this that downstreams a new desert is forming. The American way of life...

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Jane W.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People move to Arizona because they have allergies, then put in lawns---the very thing they are allergic to.

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This just shows the depth of our depravity and sickness

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Melissa Powell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like where I live. Nothing but houses, very little shopping. Having to drive 10 miles to decent stores. Not incorporated and people don't want to be incorporated because taxes...At the same time, locally we have 2 tire stores and 2 car washes. HOA says no front lawns, desert plants only but backyards, do what you want. Water is going to be a huge problem in AZ. Get some water from Central Arizona Project but not a lot.

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Demongrrrrl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People move to AZ to escape their allergies, among other things. Then they plant all the things they were fleeing in the first place.

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Natalie Harper
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't HAVE to move to England to have green grass. I live in the Midwest and we have TONS of it. It's green everywhere...grass, trees, bushes, etc. I'm not sure about how many states have the right Temps, sunlight, soil, etc., to grow grass. But, I can tell you I've been to 22 of the 48 continental states, and you don't quit seeing grass and trees until the western side of Colorado. I haven't traveled to many northern or eastern states, but know enough that have a lot of natural greenery. Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Nebraska, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Ohio, and parts of Texas have TONS of natural green vegetation!! It's everywhere...you just have to leave the West, more specifically the SW!!

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Pia kjærgaard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry…. But,does the Great Country Think about water etc in the middle of the desert,when they say ; Hey,lets build a Nice Oase out in the midlle of No Where….Bravo!!!

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#14

Not A Very Romantic Scene

Not A Very Romantic Scene

lazybong Report

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Samantha PandaNotBored
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Blame your government’s. This is their fault . They buy rubbish from countries and do not dispose of it correctly.

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#15

Naples, Italy

Naples, Italy

biwook Report

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Beuska
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just imagine, a few decades or hundred years ago somebody built a nice villa, and now with the urbanisation the whole thing is under a highway..

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#16

People Living Next To A Helicoidal Street In Chongqing

People Living Next To A Helicoidal Street In Chongqing

biwook Report

#17

Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong. Comparison Of 1964 - 2016.

Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong. Comparison Of 1964 - 2016.

polysabu Report

#18

Electrical Wiring And Water Pipes In A Brazilian Favela

Electrical Wiring And Water Pipes In A Brazilian Favela

justuniqueusername Report

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Sonja
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yeah, I saw this one already somewhere here on BP. Would like to see the guy who would try to find which wire or pipe is the one with problem

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#19

Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

Intricate1779 Report

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Jonathan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a South African, I know this is not true... we also have electric fences along with what is shown.

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#20

Literally, Just Thanksgiving Traffic In La

Literally, Just Thanksgiving Traffic In La

WhiteMos Report

#21

Private Houses On The Roof Of An Eight-Story Mall In Zhūzhōu, China

Private Houses On The Roof Of An Eight-Story Mall In Zhūzhōu, China

adamlm Report

#22

Cairo, Egypt

Cairo, Egypt

biwook Report

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Lekha
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a single tree in sight (Ok, realised that's very normal there. My bad)

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#23

Downtown Seattle, In The Heart Of The Retail District

Downtown Seattle, In The Heart Of The Retail District

unlordtempest Report

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Yugan Talovich
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand how the US can have money to make bombers but not to help citizens who need help.

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#24

Progressive Insurance's Call Center

Progressive Insurance's Call Center

acamu5x Report

#26

Ghost City In China, Made To Be A Replica Of Paris - Tianducheng

Ghost City In China, Made To Be A Replica Of Paris - Tianducheng

hasanah78 Report

#27

All Residents Of Whittier, Alaska Live Inside One Building

All Residents Of Whittier, Alaska Live Inside One Building

NaperVillage Report

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James016
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a whole BP post about this. A rail company owns most of the land so no-one can do anything.

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#29

One More Lane Will Fix It

One More Lane Will Fix It

11vidakn Report

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SlartyBlartFast
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my country the biggest highway is 3 lanes. No city has more than 3 lanes. And we consider it an achievement. I am amazed at this picture honestly!

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#30

Somewhere In Brazil In The 90's

Somewhere In Brazil In The 90's

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

@WilvanderHeidjen They absolutely are homeless. They are squatting in a utilities access cabinet.

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#31

Baghdad Between Then And Now!

Baghdad Between Then And Now!

alfredokurdi Report

#32

Billionnaire Vijay Mallya's Mansion Atop A Skyscraper In Bangalore, India

Billionnaire Vijay Mallya's Mansion Atop A Skyscraper In Bangalore, India

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#34

Dubai, The Hollow City Of Artificiality

Dubai, The Hollow City Of Artificiality

Cat-attak Report

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Sue Grigg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will never understand the lure of Dubai, it's a giant soulless shopping mall for rich people. They can have it, it's tacky and ugly.

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#36

Mirny In Siberia, Russia

Mirny In Siberia, Russia

ADarkcid Report

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Samantha PandaNotBored
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of those houses and infrastructure was built die to that mine . It’s still a working mine right now . Giving ppl jobs homes lives

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#37

Ah, Good Old Car Culture...

Ah, Good Old Car Culture...

biwook Report

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Red rockin lobster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not an urban nightmare (whichever you're reffering to). Also, it's like comparing a clouds and grapes

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#38

Block 23, New Belgrade, Serbia

Block 23, New Belgrade, Serbia

Porodicnostablo Report

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Samantha PandaNotBored
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least they have friendly neighbours. My neighbor wouldn’t take my washing in . 😆

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#39

16-Lane Highway Built Through The Downtown Where A Market Square Used To Be In Moscow, Russia

16-Lane Highway Built Through The Downtown Where A Market Square Used To Be In Moscow, Russia

matthewstifler Report

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again context is great. This was done to facilitate troop movements quickly in and out of the capital which proved vital in WWII as the soldiers from Siberia crossed Red Square in the May Day parades and went straight to the front lines to repel the Nazis. The French similarly built huge boulevards in Paris to facilitate troop movements and to keep people from being able to build barricades, which is a French national tradition.

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#40

Nobody: Southwest Us Developers:

Nobody: Southwest Us Developers:

Zidar93 Report

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Olivier Caissy
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Out of curiosity, for what it is, why is it not more square, why all the bends?

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Note: this post originally had 75 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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