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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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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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lunar eclipse
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ewgh. These types of pictures make me feel depressed and anxious

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

I was there in 1991 and can confirm image on left, just would add a couple more though between building in foreground and extreme background. In 1968 it was all desert. In '91 I saw the original ruler's quarters next to the oldest mosque in dubai: a mud dome with threadbare rugs and big fat koran, and the quarters were literally a 2 story mud and hay slap together with wood poles internally (rather than rebar) and some neurotic child had scrawled porn all over it.

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

Humanity...we're the problem and we continue to multiply and destroy everything.

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Michael Miller Sr.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those humans you speak of, are your children, your parents, your siblings and your friends.

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

NGL This photo is actually really good. Downvote me all you want, but this photographer got SKILL.

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

TRUE THAT! I had a 96 Toyota Avalon that had 350,000+ miles on it when I sold it back in 2017, and that engine still purred. I did use quality synthetic motor oil when I had the oil changed. Toyota's are a great value!

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

Designing cities for cars, is the worst way to design cities. Cities are for people, not machines.

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

Dubai needs door-to-door transport. The daytime temperature means it’s residents want to spend as little time as humanly possible outdoors. Even where options exist to walk (and they do - even SZ Rd has footpaths), people there will drive to get to the building across the road if it means they will spend less time without aircon. Getting fresh air there is a real challenge.

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Dennis Mahoney
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't appear that the Toyota building changed it's parking lot situation too much--so there's that

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

This doesn't have to happen. People can just stop breeding. Period. In 100 years with no births, problem solved!

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

WOW we really are killing this world And people see this as growth :(

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

Not all humans, but some groups are breeding way past replacement value. This is the case in the Third World, which is basically the only area with an overpopulation crisis. Two nations have between them, 40% of the population. So its not "humans" in general. Its humans that have allowed population to explode in an uncontrolled fashion that is causing the problem.A global human population of a couple billion wouldn't be causing these issues. Ideal population would be much smaller than even that, but just returning to the population size of 50 years ago, and halving the current value, would fix almost all the issues documented in these photos.

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

I read an article about how often people make buildings. But people can't just kill babies to make space for the earth, so there might be 11 billion people by 2100. Imagine what the world would look like by then.

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

People want bigger and better, the next generation, pays a price, no option !!!

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

And to think, there's rough 3 Billion plus more people on the planet since then too.

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

You can see your company's products on the elevated highway directly next to your 3rd-floor window!

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

I used to live in those little buildings on the right side of the first photo, Al Kawakeb, block A, apt 206 used to by my home, they were only completed in 1992, they were not there in 1985

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

i dont know what is so bad about this.Looks like te country got more developed and thats a good thing

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

Least they are investigating in housing and infrastructure unlike the USA where our cities and roads are crumbling

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

Wow how overwhelmingly anxiety producing today. Where is this so that I can avoid it forever.

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

Humanity is "Out of Control" and is in severe need of being "THINNED OUT!" Covid-19, could be nature's first real attempt at countering our overpopulation! One populous nation dropped it's, "One Child Only" mandate and that's where Covid-19 appeared, trying to correct that mistake! The next attempt, will be something far worse! Ten percent of the World's population, already goes to sleep hungry every night and that number is growing! Climate change and rising oceans are quickly turning farmlands into wastelands and saltwater marshland, leaving even more people hungry, each year! Global Warming may be the current hot button issue, but "Overpopulation" is the true cause!

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

Explanation: China 1,051 million people in 1985. China 1,388 million people in 2016.

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

Okay great so everything changed in 25 years, a little context would be nice, starting with where the hell IS this?

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

Good grief!! This is sickening to see…..urban sprawl & congestion everywhere! No way I could live there!

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

Are those other buildings called Honda, Audi, Tesla, etc?

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

It won`t look like this for much more. They have some 30 years of oil left, if the consumption keep getting larger by the each year. 50 years worth of oil, IF THEY KEEP 3/4 for themselves. Electric cars are somewmt, almost a reality in mass.usage and will get more and more, but crude oil is still dominant and there is NO REPLACEMENTS for making more than 1/2 of products at Earth, till today. Without it, there is NO PLASTICS, Many skin-care products, make-up, etc.. All motor oils need it at least in 10% to be possible to make, etc, etc. I can list all day long how many products are DEPENDED OF OIL that comes from theirs oil fields. USA has also a massive oil reserves, but they are keeping it, not pumping it out, until the last drop that USA can find from elsewhere!

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

This is suggestive of how fast China is catching up with the United States as a world super power.

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

I'm not surprised why our kids don't understand why we like the "good old days". Altough there was "nothing", but at least there was visible space and breathable air.

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

that's THIRTY YEARS, though... It's quite a long time, by any metric. Plus, the first photo is taken VERY early in the development of that place - hell, in the '85 photo the town is so new it doesn't yet have tarmac roads.

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

The population has grown that much in such a short time.... makes thoughts for the future quite scary

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

I would not be surprised if we are marked for extinction. When you see pictures like this you know we are way out of control. Nobody thinks about anything but eating, and making more babies. It will stop. We are committing suicide.

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AspieGirl88
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All it took was 31 years ... jeez! I’m barely 33 years old & it makes me feel ancient. I still remember days where I listened to music via a portable CD player powered by batteries, but now I don’t think they even sell them any more! 😂

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

When I look at the 1985 picture I see flat barren land that would otherwise sit stagnate devoid of life. Looking at 2016 I just see industry doing what it does. I understand the 2016 pictures carbon foot print is probably out of control but if a city is going to grow up and out why not do it on flat barren land? Now if you were to show me a picture of a forest or a landscape exploding with life in the 1985 spot then I may wag my finger in protest.

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

It's 30 years, from a point when obviously development was going to happen. Not really very fast.

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

This is Dubai, and I don't see any urban hell here- fast developed beautiful city in the desert :)

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

I believe this is fake, comparing two different buildings in two different locations. The façades of the two Toyota buildings are different and the one on the left has the logo while the one on the right does not.

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V33333P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we're used to things happening quickly NOW, but from the 80s this is ENORMOUS growth, honestly, it's scary

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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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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.)

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#14

Not A Very Romantic Scene

Not A Very Romantic Scene

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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

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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

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#17

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

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

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#18

Electrical Wiring And Water Pipes In A Brazilian Favela

Electrical Wiring And Water Pipes In A Brazilian Favela

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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

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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

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#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

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#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

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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

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#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

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#27

All Residents Of Whittier, Alaska Live Inside One Building

All Residents Of Whittier, Alaska Live Inside One Building

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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

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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!

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#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

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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

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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...

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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

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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

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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:

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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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