ADVERTISEMENT

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

93arkhanov93 Report

Add photo comments
POST
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 :(

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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

naughty_ningen Report

Add photo comments
POST
galinatsoneva avatar
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 :(

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.
ADVERTISEMENT
#7

It's Baffling How Fast It Changes

It's Baffling How Fast It Changes

ilovebravebrowser Report

ADVERTISEMENT

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

excitedrod Report

Add photo comments
POST
bp_10 avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Hotel In Łodz, Poland

Hotel In Łodz, Poland

tanmayp63 Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

diejesus Report

Add photo comments
POST
raven_sheridan14 avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Petare, Venezuela

Petare, Venezuela

antoine_montt Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

TownPro Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Not A Very Romantic Scene

Not A Very Romantic Scene

lazybong Report

Add photo comments
POST
comerfordsamantha46 avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Naples, Italy

Naples, Italy

biwook Report

Add photo comments
POST
pbea avatar
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..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
sonja-szabrotska avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

Intricate1779 Report

Add photo comments
POST
jonathan avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
lekha54321 avatar
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)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#23

Downtown Seattle, In The Heart Of The Retail District

Downtown Seattle, In The Heart Of The Retail District

unlordtempest Report

Add photo comments
POST
talovich avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
jameskramer avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

One More Lane Will Fix It

One More Lane Will Fix It

11vidakn Report

Add photo comments
POST
galinatsoneva avatar
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Somewhere In Brazil In The 90's

Somewhere In Brazil In The 90's

LeandroGanchas75 Report

Add photo comments
POST
moconnell avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

fragilistical Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#34

Dubai, The Hollow City Of Artificiality

Dubai, The Hollow City Of Artificiality

Cat-attak Report

Add photo comments
POST
suegrigg avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Mirny In Siberia, Russia

Mirny In Siberia, Russia

ADarkcid Report

Add photo comments
POST
comerfordsamantha46 avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Ah, Good Old Car Culture...

Ah, Good Old Car Culture...

biwook Report

Add photo comments
POST
redrockinlobster avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Block 23, New Belgrade, Serbia

Block 23, New Belgrade, Serbia

Porodicnostablo Report

Add photo comments
POST
comerfordsamantha46 avatar
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 . 😆

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Nobody: Southwest Us Developers:

Nobody: Southwest Us Developers:

Zidar93 Report

Add photo comments
POST
olivier_caissy avatar
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda