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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

93arkhanov93 Report

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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

naughty_ningen Report

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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

excitedrod Report

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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

tanmayp63 Report

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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

TownPro Report

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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

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

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

I visited Chongqing nearly 20 years ago. I never saw the sun, not once, though it wasn't cloudy... And every time I blew my nose, the tissue paper was black. I met truly amazing, wonderful people there, but I can't imagine living there long term.

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

Man, and I thought Beijing was bad! I always joke with people that the air quality there turned my earwax black.

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

Actually this is a parking lot! I'm from China and I used to live close to this neighborhood. It just parking lot, not a main road.

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

Hands up if you want to ride the parking merry-go-round.

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

Imagine the CO2 levels in those apartments! I hope all those buildings were bought up by the city before construction of the road and are now unoccupied.

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

Not the CO2 is the problem, but other pollutants and the noise and vibrations. Imagine being chronically ill and living there!

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

Ummm, Chongqing is called the "Mountain City", its roads are built on different elevations and slopes. It's actually a nice city with great scenery, food and culture. In this case, one single photo of one section of the road doesn't mean the city is bad like the other photos in this post.

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

Oh God, I'd throw up right away if I had to go down that road!

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

Honey what's for dinner ? asparagus a la smog, and a spare tire.

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

Reminds my of my apartment in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan. The Port Authority bus ramps ran right past my front windows. Never needed an alarm clock when those beasts started coming through.

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

Would be cool if there was more space between the houses or something. I dunno. It feels...tacky

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

Feel sorry for those living or working in the building with the traffic noise, but that is an awesome construction. Have never seen anything like it. You just hsve to watch you dont get dizzy going round and around lol.

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

For real? This reminds me of Blade Runner. Is there another one of these at the end of the street?

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

Strange but what comes to mind is that movie 🎥 “Blade Runner”! Anyone else ⁉️

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

Nice picture to be honest, kinda cool and romantic I kinda want to stay in one the house there but seems its gonna be so noisy due to huge traffic

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

Are they parked around it. What about pick n drop. From the balcony...

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

I went to Chongqing, it was like a city from the future. Great nightclubs!

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

Not just in China! There’s a freeway off ramp in the vicinity of LAX that goes onto the 605fwy N where the ramp LITERALLY runs alongside apt windows! If a window was open, you could easily toss something from your car into the apt! I drive by it often. You couldn’t PAY me to live in one of those apts!!

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

I would never want to own a car in such a crowded place. A scooter perhaps.

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

Look out the window directly into the face of some annoyed dude stuck in traffic.

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

Which is the worst way to live, like this or in Petare, Venezuela

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

This is a very clever design for a hybrid street parking structure. Now, if they could just replace those cars with electric mass transit they could start to chip away at that air pollution problem

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

That looks more like a parking garage, for some privileged people.. It's night time, and cars have their head lights off.

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

That's a street?? Looks like the ramp to an airport parking garage.

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

Why in the world are we still using cars in dense cities? Look at the Netherlands for a better way with bicycles, ebikes, electric scooters, bike lanes, bike parking, mass transit, etc. #NotJustBikes

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

I know this is supposed to be urban hell but I can’t help imagining living in one of those flats always looking out at all the cars passing by and being in the middle of all the excitement and busyness. Hard to sleep at night? Get a loud sound machine. Or get used to falling asleep tk the sound of idling engines.

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

Trying to get my head round the top ramp on this pic, it looks two Reindeer pulling the black car????

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SG108
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, that's real healthy....not! Breathing Carbon Monoxide 24/7? Not to mention the noise.

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

No wonder they all want to come and live here - then continue trashing

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

Is it my imagination or is there a car on there that is covered?

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SG108
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A "fresh" breath of carbon monoxide every 5 seconds. Good grief! The only time you can open a window is.... well.... uh....never?

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

If the cars were flying it would be a scene from "The Fifth Element".

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

Imagine the air quality in the apartments, and the noise.

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

Go in and out the driveway, go in and out the driveway!! Hey, Dad!! We’ve running around for hours, are we any closer to home??

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

A road like this is my biggest nightmare. Getting there accidentally and having nowhere else to go.

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

Wow! I'd love to skateboard down that. I'd probably throw up once I got to the bottom right enough, but it'd be worth it.

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

Then there's the "crookedest" street ..... LOMBARD in San Francisco!!

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

Could you imagine trying to drive a large US pickup truck down that thing!

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

People can get used to the most horrendous living conditions. Perhaps they just blank their minds after a while.

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

oh god! and I thought I lived in a crappy place...

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

Oh I see so you can sit in traffic longer there accommodating more cars…so sickening

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

Gardiner Expressway in Toronto has condos with windows and sometimes balconies level right with the road. You could throw a ball and hit the cars. Becoming more and more common everywhere.

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

Not really beautiful, right. But when you think about that it is/was the best solution for come along with the space traffic Infrastruktur needs/needed then its genious. For the renters of the bottomflats its quite annoing, that for sure

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

We have a parking building with one of these in Wellington, NZ. Lots' of fun to go down.

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

My cat would love to sit and watch this. So would I, actually. LOL. Assuming the windows have good soundproofing

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

This is indeed a road?? (Not an entrance to a parking garage etc?)

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#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

LeandroGanchas75 Report

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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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