Urbanization is a double-edged sword. While it brings new opportunities and conveniences, it can also create a chaotic and unpleasant environment. “Urban hell” is a term used to describe the worst examples of urbanization, where the negative impacts of rapid development are most evident. These places are characterized by overcrowding, pollution, high crime rates, and a lack of green spaces. They often have poor infrastructure, inadequate housing, and limited access to essential services. Managing urbanization requires a holistic approach that balances economic growth with environmental and social sustainability. By addressing these issues, we can create livable and vibrant cities that improve the quality of life for all residents.
Cities are fascinating places, culminating in history, architecture, and human design, both good and bad. Some 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 humans have created. We contacted 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 thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.
01. Garbage In A Canal, Basra, Iraq
02. “Me First!” Mentality (Vietnam)
03. Residential Units In Hong Kong
We contacted Professor Alan March from the Melbourne School of Design, specializing in urban planning and Disaster Risk Reduction. He was kind enough to share his thoughts on bad urban design and “urban hell.” First, we wanted to hear what common misconceptions he encountered about this field.
“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 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.
04. Agbobloshie (Ghana) This Suburb Of Accra Is Western Europe’s Preferred Dumping Ground For Electronic Waste. Population Affected: +40,000
05. The Border Between The Brazilian City Of “Manaus” And The Amazon Rainforest
06. Smog At The River In New Delhi – No, That Is Not Ice On The Water
“That we sit in front of drawing boards designing towns and cities. Well, we sometimes do, but mostly not. We 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.
07. Trash Next To La Saline Market, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
08. Income Inequality In Mumbai, India
09. The Michigan Theater In Detroit. Closed In 1976 And Gutted To Put A 3 Story Parking Garage Inside. Many Remnants Of It Remain
He shared some more misconceptions: ” We are officious and want to make people’s lives difficult. In fact, most of us want to help people and have 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.”
10. Milano, Italy
11. Somewhere Along The Karachi Circular Railway, Pakistan
12. A Concrete Jungle Somewhere In China
“For example: “No, you can’t demolish a heritage structure, even though you own the land, because the cultural significance of that is significant to the wider community.” Alternatively, “Yes, that is an old building, but it doesn’t have any cultural or heritage significance, so the developer can demolish it to provide more housing in keeping with our elected government’s policy.”
13. Polluted Haze Above Dubai
14. Mesa, Arizona, USA
15. Near The Flea Market, Marseilles, France
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.
16. Let Me Introduce You To My Hometown Of Duisburg In Germany
17. Mirny, Yakutia, Russia
18. Island Heat Effect ✨
“Increasing inequity of services manifests in spatial distribution and is exacerbated by wealth or lower income concentrations 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
20. An Empty 20-Lane Highway In Naypyidav, Myanmar
21. Los Angeles, From Above
Other examples included “Car dependency along with poor public transport, obesity, and food deserts in poorer areas where many high-calorie, low-nutrient, low-cost food is 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.”
22. Built-Up Tunnel In Napoli
23. Downtown Houston In The 1970s Was Just A Massive Parking Lot
24. Guryong Village In Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
25. Which Urban Hell Do Y’all Prefer, American Hell Or Chinese Hell?
26. Airbnb Listing Says “Posh Location” – Bangkok, Thailand
27. Newcastle, England 1970s
28. Every Building You See Is A Parking Garage. White Plains, NY
29. Saratoga Springs, Utah Temple
30. Newly Completed World Trade Centre 1973
31. Los Angeles
32. Somewhere In South Korea
33. Flying Into LA For The First Time
34. Largest Office Building In The World In Surat, India
35. I Saw This In Chicago Today. On The Lawn Of The Police Station
36. Residential Area In Chongqing, China,1990s
37. Sheraton Hotel In Rio De Janeiro, It’s So Big That Covers The Whole Beach, Making It Inaccessible
38. Suburbs In South Florida, USA
39. Crumbling Colonial Mansion In Havana Now Inhabited By Multiple Families. These Buildings Are Called “Solares”
40. Tulsa, US. Most American Cities Are So Aesthetically Unpleasing That It Hurts
41. Crazy Architecture In Lyon, France
42. Rome – Every Beautiful City Has Its Ugly Sides
43. That Be £450k Please
44. “Transport Dreams” In Arkhangelsk
45. Alleys Of Shenzhen
46. McDonald’s Spring Festival Pop-Up Store In Guangzhou, China
47. Charleroi, Belgium
48. Guess Where?
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