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u/TrixoftheTrade recently drew attention to a clip from King Of The Hill, where the character Tilly Hill remarks, “This city should not exist. It is a monument to man’s arrogance,” referencing Phoenix, Arizona’s extreme climate. This prompted TrixoftheTrade to seek insights from Reddit users about other cities that inspire similar sentiments—places that seem illogical or unsustainable given their geographic and environmental contexts.
Indeed, many responses highlighted cities characterized by difficult living conditions, geographic isolation, and insufficient resources.
u/cream_top_yogurt echoed the initial point regarding Phoenix, labeling it as the fifth most populous city in the U.S. situated amid a desert that receives minimal rainfall annually. The user noted the irony that a politically conservative region would rely heavily on substantial government investment for its existence.
Here is a summary of other cities mentioned in the discussion thread:
1. “Las Vegas makes sense as a regional transportation hub connected to the dam, but its current scale seems excessive.” — u/cg12983
2. “Dubai, along with many Gulf cities, fits this mold.” — u/Sir_TF-BUNDY
3. “New Orleans illustrates human arrogance by being built in a flood-prone bowl below sea level.” — u/InAllThingsBalance
4. “The New Administrative Capital in Egypt seems a bizarre response to a national revolt against government corruption, effectively creating a dystopian enclave for the elite.” — u/Lookoot_behind_you
5. “Dallas exemplifies a misallocation of land resources.” — u/peskypedaler
6. “Modern-day Mexico City suffers from inadequate water management, exacerbated by its historical geography.” — u/Chench3
7. “The Villages in Florida demonstrate societal issues through their unique demographic.” — u/BellyDancerEm
8. “Jakarta faces severe environmental challenges, including sinking due to groundwater depletion.” — u/Outrageous_Giraffe43
9. “San Francisco’s geographic challenges complicate urban living.” — u/PizzaWall
10. “Adelaide’s location in the arid zone of Australia raises questions about its sustainability.” — u/Twistedjustice
11. “London, with much of its center reclaimed from marshlands, faces potential flooding crisis.” — u/Didsburyflaneur
12. “Minneapolis struggles with the resource demands of its large population.” — u/SirJoeffer
13. “Almere in the Netherlands, built on reclaimed land, raises questions about environmental sustainability.” — u/Frietworld_Hallum
14. “Houston’s sprawling nature is critiqued for being uncomfortable and ill-suited to its climate.” — u/bananastand512
15. “Macau’s unique dichotomy between its image and its visitors highlights social disparities.” — u/Blitzer046
16. “Washington, D.C., often criticized for its political environment, reflects broader societal complexities.” — u/rwade71
17. “Naples, situated under the active Vesuvius volcano, exemplifies the risks of urban development.” — u/Mattavi
18. “Canberra’s design and location have been called out for being inconvenient and uninviting.” — u/VBlinds
19. “Edmonton’s harsh winter climate challenges its inhabitants and raises questions about its viability.” — u/Tribe303
This list underscores the complexities and contradictions inherent in urban development across different environments. What are your thoughts? Are there other cities you believe should be on this list? Feel free to join the conversation in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been paraphrased for clarity and brevity.
Source
www.yahoo.com