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When we look at towering skyscrapers, we usually enjoy how majestic they make the skyline look. But every structure casts a shadow.

The subreddit 'Urban Hell' is a place where modern concrete jungles are called out for all the chaos and disarray that they entail.

Created back in 2013, this online community now has 1.2 million members, who are regularly sharing pictures of buildings and cities that suggest we're already living in a dystopia.

Whether it's the dirty slums against the shiny downtown in the background, abandoned stadiums, or packed streets under neon lights, is this really the best we humans can do?

#1

Light Pollution From Train Line Over Old Houses In China

Light Pollution From Train Line Over Old Houses In China

DrinkinDoughnuts Report

#2

Hong Kong, Enough Said

Hong Kong, Enough Said

public-buttcrack Report

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User# 6
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, if you have a large amount of people and limitid surface area, up is the only way to go. It's hideous, but I can't think of an alternative that doesn't involve forcibly removing people.

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According to Yan Liu, a professor of geographical information science at the University of Queensland, and Rachel Gallagher, a Ph.D. candidate at the same institution, zoning has been the key tool used by urban planners to influence how our cities grow and change for almost a century.

"Contemporary zoning truly developed after the Second World War," the researchers wrote. "A combination of large real estate interests and the emerging field of urban planning created low-density, car-centric suburbs."

Urban plans called for standardized subdivisions and land uses, and engineering of streets and infrastructure.

#3

Balcony Facade Of A Famous Hotel In Thailand

Balcony Facade Of A Famous Hotel In Thailand

915297mail Report

#5

Satellite View Of New Delhi (A City Of Some 20 Million People)

Satellite View Of New Delhi (A City Of Some 20 Million People)

TodayWeRemember Report

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Urban development was largely characterized by detached houses in residential suburbs, while large road networks separated these suburbs from commercial and industrial areas of the city.

However, in the late 1980s, many cities began to introduce planning mechanisms to restrict outward expansion. Changes in zoning allowed for increased density and a mix of land uses—the aim was to encourage redevelopment of existing urban areas.

#8

Egyptian Times Square, Cairo, Egypt

Egyptian Times Square, Cairo, Egypt

Y_KhIRQ Report

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#9

Istanbul Traffic

Istanbul Traffic

MopCoveredInBleach Report

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User# 6
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, that bridge is the most important transport link between Europe and Asia, no wonder it's busy.

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Yet, as cities become denser and the traditional suburban "house and garden" is redeveloped, buildings are replacing trees, and settlements become grayer.

Replacing an existing home with a larger house or with several townhouses typically results in all existing vegetation being stripped from the site.

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#10

The Other-Side Of Rio De Janeiro

The Other-Side Of Rio De Janeiro

Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

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

"I live in the favela, I believe we can change it for the better" - heard this back in 2014 during the World Cup in Brazil. Loved it.

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#11

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, Michigan

FuzzyBlankets777 Report

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

Not all is lost. Second picture is the Ransom Gillis Mansion. Believe it or not, this one is saved! See what is looks like now. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransom_Gillis_House

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#13

Mumbai Water Pipes With Garbage And Slums, Those Pipes Supply Water To Localities With Apartment Rates Exceeding A Million Dollar For 3bhk In Bandra, Santacruz

Mumbai Water Pipes With Garbage And Slums, Those Pipes Supply Water To Localities With Apartment Rates Exceeding A Million Dollar For 3bhk In Bandra, Santacruz

ahivarn Report

Compact city land-use policies and urban forest policies need to work together to ensure that there could be both high-quality built environments and extensive tree cover.

Experts argue that cities urgently need more strategic identification of small and large lots that are suitable for more intensified development, particularly to reduce the need for the widespread low-level consolidation that threatens tree cover.

#14

Once Upon A Time, These Houses Have A Sea View, Now They Have This View

Once Upon A Time, These Houses Have A Sea View, Now They Have This View

-FaZe- Report

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

Interestingly enough, there are probably another row of houses behind these ones that were all pissed off when the smaller red-roofed buildings were built too. This is why local government zoning rules need to be in concrete and not influenced by developers throwing huge amounts of money at them.

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#17

Burlington Beach, Ontario

Burlington Beach, Ontario

legacyhmusic Report

At the same time, land-use regulation should ensure that both low-yield and higher-density redevelopment maintain the contribution of private land to the urban forest. Existing and new approaches to achieving this outcome need to be considered, whether that's done through local rules, government programs, or incentive schemes.

#18

Small City In China

Small City In China

happyn6s1 Report

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

The interesting thing for me, is that even with all those buildings there is a ton of green in the picture. Far more than you'd get in most cities.

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#19

Mansion Under Bay Bridge In San Fransisco, Ca

Mansion Under Bay Bridge In San Fransisco, Ca

5pointz Report

#21

Merry Christmas Sign On A Blast Furnace At Brazil

Merry Christmas Sign On A Blast Furnace At Brazil

reddit.com Report

Rapid urban consolidation can change urban landscapes significantly over the next few decades, and the right decisions need to be made to ensure we don't end up with more "urban hell," which can be further explored in our previous publications on the subreddit here and here.

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#22

Tokyo From Skytree

Tokyo From Skytree

Nomad00110 Report

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

Tokyo is both fascinating and nightmarish. I would really like to visit this city, but living there must be hell.

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#24

Kindergarten In One Of The Settlements Near Vorkuta

Kindergarten In One Of The Settlements Near Vorkuta

By-place Report

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

Vorkuta, town in Russia. "Vorkuta became one of the most well known Gulags, it gained a reputation of being one of the worst in the Soviet Union. About 2 Million Prisoners had gone to Vorkutlag from 1932 until the closure in 1962, the amount of deaths in the camp were estimated to be 200,000" - Wikipedia

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#25

Early Powerline Setups - When Thousands Of Cables Filled The Sky

Early Powerline Setups - When Thousands Of Cables Filled The Sky

Lamballama Report

#27

View From My Hotel In Downtown Naples, Italy

View From My Hotel In Downtown Naples, Italy

Shkotz Report

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User# 6
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Vedi Napoli e poi muori" used to mean after seeing Naples you will never see anything more beautiful, until your dying day. Nowadays, not so much.

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#28

Sigh... Parking Lots

Sigh... Parking Lots

sikeig Report

#29

A Normal Day In Kowloon 20 Years Ago

A Normal Day In Kowloon 20 Years Ago

KingBlana Report

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#30

State University Of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

State University Of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Etlot Report

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

Brutalism. Love it or hate it, no third option. I kinda live it when there's not too much of it.

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#32

Imagine Using This Picture To Advertise Your City

Imagine Using This Picture To Advertise Your City

mraza9 Report

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

Did the building go up before or after the freeway though? I can't comment on LA but there are some fairly major highways here that had no homes near them 20 years ago, but now they're building housing estates up to the highway boundaries. If someone chooses to develop the land and people buy the houses you can't blame the highway since it already existed.

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#33

Slums In Jakarta, Indonesia

Slums In Jakarta, Indonesia

biwook Report

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The Greatest JMS W Cool Animation
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn't expect for Jakarta to look like this, I thought it's a great and beautiful country (I even live in Indonesia)

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#37

Can Anyone Confirm If This Is As Bad As It Seems?

Can Anyone Confirm If This Is As Bad As It Seems?

KaferAhmd Report

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#38

Tarlabaşı, One Of The Poorest Neighborhoods In Istanbul

Tarlabaşı, One Of The Poorest Neighborhoods In Istanbul

SchijtBank Report

#39

Man On Pedestrian Bridge Overlooking Traffic In Lagos, Nigeria. (Photo: Akintunde Akinleye)

Man On Pedestrian Bridge Overlooking Traffic In Lagos, Nigeria. (Photo: Akintunde Akinleye)

Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

#40

Dystopian Thessaloniki

Dystopian Thessaloniki

Temporary-Seat9921 Report

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

This is NOT what I think of when I think of Greece. I think of ocean views, white walls with blue trim, and pleasant clean ocean breezes. This looks like where Deckard lives, all it needs is the floating noodle shop.

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#41

Houses Combined With The Wall Next To A Freeway. So Depressing

Houses Combined With The Wall Next To A Freeway. So Depressing

huzailhassan Report

#42

La, Office Tower

La, Office Tower

Mysjkin7 Report

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

I find this kinda cool. Sure it's blocky and grey, but they're trying to make it interesting.

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#43

What Happens When We Build For Cars Instead Of People

What Happens When We Build For Cars Instead Of People

Spanishparlante Report

#44

Government Housing. São Paulo 🇧🇷

Government Housing. São Paulo 🇧🇷

reddit.com Report

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#46

Chişinau

Chişinau

longwaytotokyo Report

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

Romanita Tower in Moldova, a Soviet era, socialist modernism architecture https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/romanita-tower

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#47

The End Of Post War Dreams. Newcastle, UK

The End Of Post War Dreams. Newcastle, UK

Josquius Report

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

Ok, so I want to comment on this. Newcastle is a developed and beautiful city; yes it has run down areas but that happens. Please look at the city centre and view all the development they are doing. Newcastle transformed the Quayside from Urban Hell In the late 80's and early 90's!

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#48

When You Want To Look Whimsical, But Hate The Homeless

When You Want To Look Whimsical, But Hate The Homeless

garamond89 Report

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User# 6
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That designer is one broken coccyx lawsuit away from financial ruin.

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#50

An Old Church Was Demolished To Make Way For A Real Estate Development Of Apartment Buildings In Shanxi, China

An Old Church Was Demolished To Make Way For A Real Estate Development Of Apartment Buildings In Shanxi, China

OregonMyHeaven Report

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

History has no relevance in some parts of the world. In places such as the Middle East there are amazing deserted villages left to collapse as everyone moves into concrete cities with malls and freeways. UK town planners are often bad at thus as well. They turned a town on Cornwall into a concrete modernist hell hole between 1960 and the 1990s. The crime rates have shot up. When are we going to learn that environments impact on behaviours? If sterile functionality is favoured over beauty and nature, you breed vandalism and disconnectedness.

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#51

Miari Texas, One Of Few Remaining Red Light Districts Of Seoul, South Korea

Miari Texas, One Of Few Remaining Red Light Districts Of Seoul, South Korea

Saltedline Report

#52

Mumbai's Water Filtration Plant Not Cleaned Or Upgraded For Last 42 Years. Finally It Got Cleaned Yesterday

Mumbai's Water Filtration Plant Not Cleaned Or Upgraded For Last 42 Years. Finally It Got Cleaned Yesterday

ahivarn Report

#53

Looks Very Welcoming, Who Wouldn't Want To Shop Here

Looks Very Welcoming, Who Wouldn't Want To Shop Here

Pure-Lie5297 Report

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

I used to live in one of the tower blocks near here (it was in the old opening credits for Coronation Street!). As well as serving as a shopping centre, it also served as a bus station. But it wasn’t a nice place to wander round in the early 90s.

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#54

The Ship-Breakers, Chittagong, Bangladesh

The Ship-Breakers, Chittagong, Bangladesh

midianightx Report

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

F*ck me, if you put a pyramid in the background I'd be convinced this was from a history book! What the actual SH!T?!!!

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#55

Partially Collapsed Building, Still Occupied (Cairo Area, Egypt)

Partially Collapsed Building, Still Occupied (Cairo Area, Egypt)

Chipotle42 Report

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

Still, occupied?!?!?! How could you sleep? I'd be afraid the rest of the building would fall as well.

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#56

Residential Area Near Cheonggyecheon Before Its Redevelopment In 2005, Seoul, South Korea

Residential Area Near Cheonggyecheon Before Its Redevelopment In 2005, Seoul, South Korea

Saltedline Report

#57

Cape Coral, Fl

Cape Coral, Fl

GenericBlackGuy Report

#58

The View From Your 1 Bed/1bath, 800sq Foot, $850k Condo In Oakland, California

The View From Your 1 Bed/1bath, 800sq Foot, $850k Condo In Oakland, California

decker12 Report

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

Unhoused populations are a major issue in California. Other states add to it by actually sending in busloads of transients. It's a national issue, not a single states'.

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#59

Mumbai Roads Are The Perfect Poster Child For Urban Hell. The Existing Small Stretch Of Metro Is The Only Way To Reach Your Destination On Time. The Suburban Trains Are Already Super Crowded And The Passengers Are Forced To Travel In Sub Human Conditions

Mumbai Roads Are The Perfect Poster Child For Urban Hell. The Existing Small Stretch Of Metro Is The Only Way To Reach Your Destination On Time. The Suburban Trains Are Already Super Crowded And The Passengers Are Forced To Travel In Sub Human Conditions

milktanksadmirer Report

#60

This Old Prison Can Be Yours. Jail On Sale

This Old Prison Can Be Yours. Jail On Sale

dark_moods Report

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

Seems like an opportunity for a production company/movie studio. Buy it for use as a prison set in movies.

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#61

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina

reddit.com Report

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

La villa 31, del otro lado de las vías avenida Libertador, donde vive la clase alta terrateniente.

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#62

Baltimore

Baltimore

inkDaKid Report

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RageMonkey91
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad to see those actually cute houses in that condition - somewhere else these would be expensive as hell

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#63

Armando De Salles Oliveira Stadium, São Paulo

Armando De Salles Oliveira Stadium, São Paulo

wantstefani Report

#64

Marseille Banlieue - The Outskirts Of French Cities Are Known For Colossal Housing Structures

Marseille Banlieue - The Outskirts Of French Cities Are Known For Colossal Housing Structures

jokasi58 Report

#66

Oslo’s (Norway) Fanciest Business Looks Like An Industrial Plant In The Middle Of The City

Oslo’s (Norway) Fanciest Business Looks Like An Industrial Plant In The Middle Of The City

reddit.com Report

#67

Bike Lane In Street Of Sao Paulo

Bike Lane In Street Of Sao Paulo

juniorgallina Report

#68

November

November

Gorynich613 Report

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

This is silly because you can see it's a nice, green playground in summer. Any place can look depressing in overcast winter weather.

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#69

Part Of Downtown Edmonton

Part Of Downtown Edmonton

Rubitee Report

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#70

An Apartment In Hangzhou, China

An Apartment In Hangzhou, China

OregonMyHeaven Report

#71

Tel Aviv City Centre (Allenby Street). Each Apartment In This Building Cost Around 1.5m$ Btw (Really)

Tel Aviv City Centre (Allenby Street). Each Apartment In This Building Cost Around 1.5m$ Btw (Really)

tamir70s Report

#73

Bat Yam, Israel

Bat Yam, Israel

holyroach Report

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#74

Sao Paulo Suburbs In 1985

Sao Paulo Suburbs In 1985

usermatts Report

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

Remember when builders had PRIDE in the architecture of their buildings? We have e buildings in the uk that used to be public toilets that look better than everything that's built today! Think about it, a place to SH!T looked better than places to LIVE and WORK these days!!

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#75

Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria

AkaGurGor Report

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

Doesn’t look too bad compared to some of these others. Taxi center or something.

#76

People Live In The Tiny Gap Between Commercial Buildings And The Official Residence Of Thailand's Prime Minister

People Live In The Tiny Gap Between Commercial Buildings And The Official Residence Of Thailand's Prime Minister

KaMeLRo Report

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#78

Brownsville, Pennsylvania 2023. Vibes Of Deindustrialization

Brownsville, Pennsylvania 2023. Vibes Of Deindustrialization

Juggathon1 Report

#80

Shantytowns Of Seoul, South Korea In 1960s

Shantytowns Of Seoul, South Korea In 1960s

Saltedline Report

#81

At&t Long Lines NYC Building (Windowless) I Dig It Most People Despise It

At&t Long Lines NYC Building (Windowless) I Dig It Most People Despise It

reddit.com Report

#82

In Cairo City Planners Passed The Level Of Adding More Lanes, Now They Add More Bridges. To The Resident's Surprise, Building Height Limit Codes Don't Apply To Bridges

In Cairo City Planners Passed The Level Of Adding More Lanes, Now They Add More Bridges. To The Resident's Surprise, Building Height Limit Codes Don't Apply To Bridges

persononsteroid Report

#83

Seoul Birds

Seoul Birds

underwater_handshake Report

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

Well if their little lungs can handle the pollution, it can't be too bad..right?

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#84

Strange And Ugly House In Slayton, Minnesota

Strange And Ugly House In Slayton, Minnesota

Annual-Load-8355 Report

#85

Tacoma, Washington. Beautifully Ugly?

Tacoma, Washington. Beautifully Ugly?

Juggathon1 Report

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

This is falsely made to look gloomy. The downtown is vibrant with pretty buildings. Down vote this photo please.

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

Using the post-apocalyptic filter to influence an opinion. Looking at the pic - holy c**p it's a horrifying dystopia. In reality though...pretty fine, I guess.

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

It's not the greatest city, but the downtown is cute and fun. This picture is just dark and eerie to be more dramatic than it actually is.

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

Tacoma is actually really diverse and a little different from this pic.

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

So..that thing flying around isn't a dragon? Because it kind of looks like a dragon...

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

I thought that it looked like that bus was tipped on its side.

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

I lived on the Air Force base, McCord, a long time ago. Tacoma has really changed.

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#87

Mina The City Of Tents, Near The City Of Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Mina The City Of Tents, Near The City Of Mecca, Saudi Arabia

cesarth15 Report

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

Okay, we need to clear this up. Those units are for air conditioning. Also, no one lives here year round, and everything is shut down/turned off when not in use. It is used during the days of Hajj, Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, where the pilgrims must spend a certain amount of nights here in Mina as part of the pilgrimage rituals. Millions of pilgrims come each year, with the numbers only now starting to return to prepandemic figures. All those people need a place to stay in the boundaries of the Mina area, that’s the reason for tight configuration.

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