by Urban development is supposed to make cities better. More efficient, more livable, more beautiful. But sometimes, it does the exact opposite. These 28 photos from around the world show just how bleak, repetitive, and soul-crushing modern development can get. From endless concrete blocks to dystopian towers with zero green space, this is the side of city planning no one wants to admit exists.
#1.
r/Upstairs_Drive_5602
Chongquing, China.
#2.
r/DyeCorduroy
Fascinating example of urban development from London, UK.
#3.
r/Ele_Bele
Baku, Azerbaijan.
#4.
r/SnowlabFFN
Princeton, Texas. One of the fastest growing cities in the US. Maybe they should stop now if this is how they’re doing it.
#5.
r/KodoSky
This would be a satisfying image if it wasn’t such soulless urban development. “Country homes” in North Korea.
#6.
r/SomeWay8409
Public housing in Hong Kong.
#7.
r/nickelbeee
No green in sight 🙁 Athens, Greece.
#8.
r/KodoSky
Las Vegas. I feel trapped in an urban development hellscape just looking at the photo.
#9.
r/Nintentoad123
Al Dana Villas in UAE. The only thing that saves this photo is the beautiful water.
#10.
r/Repulsive_Range_19
Ok but the jokes I would make if I lived here….
#11.
r/Fun-Raisin2575
Stavropol, Russia.
#12.
r/KodoSky
Thousands of luxury apartments in Turkmenistan.
#13.
r/Orange_times
I don’t think I would want to live in one of these apartments, but the photo is beautiful. Ukraine.
#14.
r/Environmental-Ad-344
Dhaka. The result of unplanned urban development.
#15.
r/LeBB2KK
A view of the “Monster Building” in Hong Kong from above.
#16.
r/BaronVonBroccoli
Another view of part of the “Monster Building” in Hong Kong, named Yik Cheong Building. That is some chaotic urban development.
#17.
r/holyfishness71
HLM in Vernier, Geneva.
#18.
r/Fun-Raisin2575
Inner Mongolia, China.
#19.
r/CzechOutSlovakia1993
Imagine how terrible it would be as a kid growing up in a place like that. Las Vegas, Nevada.
#20.
r/Fun-Raisin2575
Perevalovo, Tyumen Oblast, Russia. Urban Development really seems to have its own style in Russia.
#21.
r/Marcus-Musashi
Ok, one more look at the Yik Cheong Monster Building in Hong Kong because…. wow.
#22.
r/ApricotWest9107
Bangalore, India.
#23.
r/Level-Impact-757
That contrast though. Urban development will always put wealth disparity on full display. São Paulo, Brasil.
#24.
throughlucaslens
Chongqing, China.
#25.
r/daijobu614
Nellore, india.
#26.
r/elementalist001
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Some of those apartments must have absolutely no airflow.
#27.
r/Upstairs_Drive_5602
China’s 50 Lane Traffic, G4 Expressway.
#28.
r/lovef_
It’s a nice shade of blue at least. Emerald city, Krasnodar, Russia
