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Cities are fascinating places, a culmination of history, architecture and human design, both good and bad simultaneously. Some even are said to have a life and spirit of their own, but like everything we make, there are also downsides. 

The “Urban Hell” online group is dedicated to sharing images from some of the most dystopian-looking places that humans have put together. We got in touch with Professor Alan March from the Melbourne School of Design to learn more. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your own thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. 

#1

Garbage In A Canal, Basrah, Iraq

Garbage In A Canal, Basrah, Iraq

biwook Report

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    #2

    "Me First!!!!" Mentality (In Viet Nam Btw)

    "Me First!!!!" Mentality (In Viet Nam Btw)

    Vietcong777 Report

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    Evan
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i went to bali on a vacation, and this is literally the traffic. There arent even traffic lights

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    #3

    Residential Units In Hong Kong

    Residential Units In Hong Kong

    biwook Report

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    Quwiyint
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is what I was talking about in above post, this kind of stuff is soul crushingly depressing.

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    Bored Panda got in touch with Professor Alan March from the Melbourne School of Design, who specializes in Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction. He was kind enough to share some of his thoughts on bad urban design and “urban hell.” Firstly, we wanted to hear what common misconceptions about this field he has encountered.

    “That planners have control over all aspects of cities and towns! We don’t – we are but one actor in a complex system of developers, bureaucrats, other government departments, politicians and other interest groups. We don’t really have that much power,” he shared. After all, some of the “worst” offenders emerge without any planning or authority, like the favelas of Latin America. 

    #4

    Agbobloshie (Ghana) This Suburb Of Accra Is Western Europe's Preferred Dumping Ground For Electronic Waste. Population Affected: +40,000

    Agbobloshie (Ghana) This Suburb Of Accra Is Western Europe's Preferred Dumping Ground For Electronic Waste. Population Affected: +40,000

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    #5

    The Border Between The Brazilian City Of "Manaus" And The Amazon Rainforest

    The Border Between The Brazilian City Of "Manaus" And The Amazon Rainforest

    BulkaZmaslem Report

    #6

    Smog At The River In New Delhi - No, That Is Not Ice On The Water

    Smog At The River In New Delhi - No, That Is Not Ice On The Water

    jeandolly Report

    “That we sit in front of drawing boards designing towns and cities. Well, we sometimes do, but mostly not. We actually have diverse tasks: regulations and policy (writing and administering), running meetings, project management, legal processes, advising politicians, economic analysis, heritage and so forth,” he added. 

    #7

    Trash Next To La Saline Market, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

    Trash Next To La Saline Market, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

    biwook Report

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry but is there ANY part of Haiti that is remotely liveable at this point....there is no rule of law there besides the gun and machete.

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    #8

    Income Inequality In Mumbai, India

    Income Inequality In Mumbai, India

    kalid34 Report

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It breaks my heart knowing babies are being born into that abomination of an existence every freaking hour.

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    #9

    Milano, Italy

    Milano, Italy

    schiantoRG Report

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    EP
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What?!? You’re kidding. Who adds on to a nice historic look sigh a prison top!!

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    He had some more misconceptions to share. “That we are officious and want to make peoples’ lives difficult. In fact, most of us really want to help people as well as having the public good in mind. We chose the profession for that reason. Often, saying “no” to someone or something is in favor of collective outcomes.”

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    #10

    The Michigan Theater In Detroit. Closed In 1976 And Gutted To Put A 3 Story Parking Garage Inside. Many Remnants Of It Remain

    The Michigan Theater In Detroit. Closed In 1976 And Gutted To Put A 3 Story Parking Garage Inside. Many Remnants Of It Remain

    Newgate1996 Report

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    EP
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whoa! This is just wrong. What happened to making it a library of a Starbucks lol. I’ve seen both of those repurposes in online pics. This could have been a multi store site if need be. Even a new car dealership all pretty and clean would be better than dirty garage!

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    #11

    Somewhere Along The Karachi Circular Railway, Pakistan

    Somewhere Along The Karachi Circular Railway, Pakistan

    [deleted] Report

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    Jennik
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "The River Ankh is probably the only river in the universe on which the investigators can chalk the outline of the corpse."

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    #12

    A Concrete Jungle Somewhere In China

    A Concrete Jungle Somewhere In China

    Papppi-56 Report

    “For example: “No, you can’t demolish a heritage structure, even though you own the land, because the cultural significance of that is of significance to the wider community”. Alternatively, “Yes, that is an old building, but it doesn’t really have any cultural or heritage significance, so the developer is allowed to demolish it to provide more housing in keeping with our elected government’s policy”.”

    #14

    Let Me Introduce You To My Hometown Of Duisburg In Germany

    Let Me Introduce You To My Hometown Of Duisburg In Germany

    Fourtyseven249 Report

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    #15

    Near The Flea Market, Marseilles, France

    Near The Flea Market, Marseilles, France

    ManoOccultis Report

    We were also curious to hear about some examples of poor urban planning from his perspective. “Non-integrated services. Examples include train timetables and physical connections that don’t connect with buses. Unsafe places, particularly for the vulnerable,” he shared. 

    #17

    Mirny, Yakutia, Russia

    Mirny, Yakutia, Russia

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    #18

    Mesa, Arizona, USA

    Mesa, Arizona, USA

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    Mason Denton
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mesa. AZ is a hole filled by those who cannot afford 15 minutes away. Phoenix is the new Detroit.

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    “Increasing inequity of services, manifest in spatial distribution and exacerbated by concentrations of wealth or lower income across cities. This is increasingly leading to intergenerational inequity.” For many readers, the classic “slum” comes to mind, while wealthier people live in fully separated neighborhoods. 

    #19

    Anti-Homeless Spikes In Guangzhou, China

    Anti-Homeless Spikes In Guangzhou, China

    ManbadFerrara Report

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    #20

    An Empty 20 Lane Highway In Naypyidav, Myanmar

    An Empty 20 Lane Highway In Naypyidav, Myanmar

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    #21

    Los Angeles, From Above

    Los Angeles, From Above

    HowDidYouKillMe Report

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    QijianSanek
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    idk why but something about seeing urban sprawl is kind of beautiful to me

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    Other examples included “Car dependency along with poor public transport, obesity and food deserts in poorer areas where there is a lot of high calorie-low nutrient-low cost food available, contributing to climate change emissions. A lack of community due to insufficient or poorly designed public realm spaces for a diverse range of people.”

    #23

    Downtown Houston In The 1970s Was Just A Massive Parking Lot

    Downtown Houston In The 1970s Was Just A Massive Parking Lot

    stgia Report

    #24

    Guryong Village In Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

    Guryong Village In Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

    admiralturtleship Report

    #25

    Airbnb Listing Says “Posh Location” - Bangkok, Thailand

    Airbnb Listing Says “Posh Location” - Bangkok, Thailand

    mistresscakeslut Report

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    #26

    Which Urban Hell Do Y’all Prefer, American Hell Or Chinese Hell?

    Which Urban Hell Do Y’all Prefer, American Hell Or Chinese Hell?

    RoundTurtle538 Report

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    Quwiyint
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Something about the lifeless 10,000 story tall mashed together apartment buildings in places like Hong Kong and China terrifies me. It's absolutely soulless and depressing.

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    #27

    Saratoga Springs Utah Temple

    Saratoga Springs Utah Temple

    Comrade_Jane_Jacobs Report

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    Mother Of Birb
    Community Member
    6 months ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Hey there! One definition of a cult I found was this “a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a Christian organization, and that is generally accepted. I don’t know of any beliefs of the church that are dangerous or super extreme. I firmly believe my religion isn’t a cult. It’s sacred to me and it has helped me in many VERY REAL ways. Please remember before posting online that what could be an off handed comment to you, could really hurt someone else.

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    A Happy Doggo
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, the lack of grass/trees is because it's a desert, not bc of humans. The religious attitude is the problem

    Lesbiancats
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah. I live in this area, and it's very much a desert. It's what most people imagine when they think of Utah's geography. Hot, dry, desert.

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    Amy Manzanares
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find the majority of these opinions to be ignorant and in poor taste.

    My O My
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A church....in the middle of nowhere....with a huuuuge parking lot.... My european mind can't anymore

    nbfresh
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i'm in US and this makes me want to vomit because i also just can't....

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    StretcherBearer
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have ancestors and family past and present in the church and I don't agree with it. They are always announcing new temples and people are sleeping in the streets. How bout using the tithed money for shelters or housing or pay taxes ( tax exemption for religion is ridiculous if a church turns a profit) instead of these expensive buildings.

    Mother Of Birb
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hello! You can read about the church helping others here :) https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2023/03/22/lds-church-upped-its-charitable/ this is NOT a church run news outlet. https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2024/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-donates-7M-to-the-american-red-cross.html Neither is this. I went to Salt Lake City and the church had areas for the homeless to apply for jobs. They also had self help classes. They really are trying.

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    Mother Of Birb
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The inside of this temple is absolutely beautiful! https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/saratoga-springs-utah-temple/photographs/

    michael Chock
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The mormon temple. Essentially men pay the church to marry as many women as they can afford from their catalog. Not all Mormons are this extreme.

    David
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The scary part is those houses around the temple. Probably has an HOA from hell. I'm sure to live there you have to be in good standing and probably high up in the church and if you don't toe the line you lose your house.

    Mother Of Birb
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This isn’t true. In our church one of the questions asked when you get a temple recommend is “Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?“ It was explained to me when I hesitated at this question that anybody who is striving and honestly putting forth effort to follow the Lord (along with following a few commandments) is worthy to enter his Temple. There is no scale of worthiness or required role in the church to get into the temple. I’m not high up in the church at all! But I am completely welcome in the House of the Lord. I feel so close to him while there. The HOA has no way to deny you access to your home or temple :)

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    The Original Bruno
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not a fan of the Church of LDS's beliefs. (I saw magic writing from Jeeeesus tell me I was supposed to take your wife as mine!) But how is this urban hell? Y'all know Utah is a desert? From the shifting ground colors, I expect maybe they're preparing the ground for new massive construction projects, but that pale color... that's Utah for you.

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    #28

    Every Building You See Is A Parking Garage. White Plains, NY

    Every Building You See Is A Parking Garage. White Plains, NY

    redditreloaded Report

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    Quwiyint
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like Nashville has some competition lol. they are literally everyone in Nashville, 7 or 8 floors with 2 basements is what I'm accustomed too.

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    #29

    Newcastle, England 1970s

    Newcastle, England 1970s

    DonkeyNandos Report

    #30

    Newly Completed World Trade Centre 1973

    Newly Completed World Trade Centre 1973

    papillonintunisia Report

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    Luis Hernandez Dauajare
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There was a joke at the time: "Welcome to NYC, home of the two most beautiful modern constructions in the world: The Empire State and the Chrysler buildings... and the boxes they came in."

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    #31

    Los Angeles

    Los Angeles

    878_Throwaway____ Report

    #32

    Somewhere In South Korea

    Somewhere In South Korea

    AkaGurGor Report

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    Sheri Lytle
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would be so afraid to leave my apartment, I would never find my way back

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    #33

    Flying Into La For The First Time

    Flying Into La For The First Time

    Huckleberry117 Report

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    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Horrific. This area was originally popular because of its great natural beauty. Way to go humans.

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    #34

    Largest Office Building In The World In Surat

    Largest Office Building In The World In Surat

    thecynicalreddior Report

    #35

    Saw This In Chicago Today. On The Lawn Of The Police Station

    Saw This In Chicago Today. On The Lawn Of The Police Station

    FAYMKONZ Report

    #36

    Residential Area In Chongqing, China,1990s

    Residential Area In Chongqing, China,1990s

    BufalloCrapSmeller Report

    #37

    Sheraton Hotel In Rio De Janeiro, It’s So Big That Covers The Whole Beach, Making It Inaccessible

    Sheraton Hotel In Rio De Janeiro, It’s So Big That Covers The Whole Beach, Making It Inaccessible

    Rodtheboss Report

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    Panda
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beaches, forests, rivers should belong to the people not to a few individuals.

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    #38

    Crumbling Colonial Mansion In Havana Now Inhabited By Multiple Families. These Buildings Are Called "Solares"

    Crumbling Colonial Mansion In Havana Now Inhabited By Multiple Families. These Buildings Are Called "Solares"

    Intricate1779 Report

    #39

    Suburbs In South Florida, USA

    Suburbs In South Florida, USA

    colapepsikinnie Report

    #40

    Crazy Architecture In Lyon, France

    Crazy Architecture In Lyon, France

    LeRoiSoleil_13 Report

    #41

    Tulsa, Us.. Most American Cities Are So Aesthetically Unpleasing That It Hurts

    Tulsa, Us.. Most American Cities Are So Aesthetically Unpleasing That It Hurts

    iamayeshaerotica Report

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    BlitheSpirit
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is not representative of what most of the city looks like, by the way…

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    #42

    That Be £450k Please

    That Be £450k Please

    SZO8O Report

    #43

    Rome - Every Beautiful City Has It's Ugly Sides

    Rome - Every Beautiful City Has It's Ugly Sides

    44ElGenerico Report

    #44

    "Transport Dreams" In Arkhangelsk

    "Transport Dreams" In Arkhangelsk

    greatlarrymartin Report

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    Pandora
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All it's missing is sign on the side saying, "free candy". 😬

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    #46

    Mcdonalds Spring Festival Pop-Up Store In Guangzhou, China

    Mcdonalds Spring Festival Pop-Up Store In Guangzhou, China

    AndiFreddie Report

    #47

    Charleroi, Belgium

    Charleroi, Belgium

    RomVan Report

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