Urbex Score | How to Evaluate a Location
Not all Urbex locations are equally appealing. A structure might be very large but completely empty, while a smaller building might retain original furnishings, objects, architecture, and details that make it much more interesting.
For this reason, it can be useful to create an Urbex Score , a rating system that allows you to assign a score to a location based on its characteristics.
In this article
What is the Urbex Score?
The Urbex Score is a system for evaluating how interesting a location is from the point of view of Urban Exploration.
The score can be constructed by taking into account different factors, assigning each a value from 1 to 5 .
This isn't an absolute evaluation. The score is primarily used to compare different locations using the same criteria.
The history of the location
Story is one of the most important elements.
A structure with a particular history, a significant past, or an activity that has characterized the area may be of greater interest than a building about which virtually nothing is known.
The state of conservation
A location may be completely abandoned but have very deteriorated interiors.
Conversely, some structures still retain much of their original features. Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and other architectural elements may still be recognizable.
The interiors and objects
The presence of original furnishings, machinery, documents, signs, photographs, and objects can significantly increase the interest of a location.
A completely empty structure generally offers fewer things to observe than a place where time seems to have stood still.
The architecture
The architectural aspect also contributes to the score.
Large halls, staircases, decorations, frescoes, industrial structures, construction details, or unusual environments can make a location particularly recognizable.
The size of the location
Size can be an additional parameter.
A large mansion, an industrial complex, a hotel, or an entire factory can offer many more spaces to explore than a small structure.
Size, however, shouldn't be considered alone: a huge, completely empty building isn't necessarily more interesting than a small location full of original features.
The uniqueness
How difficult is it to find a location like this?
This parameter measures its uniqueness .
A building with unique features, an unusual use, or features that are difficult to find in other locations may receive a high score.
The photographic value
A location can also be particularly interesting from a photographic point of view.
Natural light, composition of the environments, perspectives, colors, contrast between nature and architecture and the presence of original details can create many photographic possibilities.
A useful system also for comparing locations
The Urbex Score can be particularly useful when comparing multiple locations.
Two buildings may be similar in size but have completely different characteristics: one may have an important history, while the other may be much more interesting for the preservation of its interiors.
Assigning a separate score to each parameter therefore allows you to understand why a location is considered interesting , rather than relying only on a generic evaluation.
Conclusions
Evaluating an Urbex location isn’t simply about whether it’s beautiful or ugly.
A good Urbex Score considers several aspects: history, conservation, objects, architecture, size, uniqueness and photographic value .
The result is a simple method for transforming difficult-to-compare characteristics into a clear and immediate score , useful both for those looking for new locations and for those who want to compare existing ones.
Comments