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What Is UrbEx?

          UrbEx, otherwise known as Urban Exploration, is exactly what the name recounts – the exploration of urban places and spaces; exploring abandoned places in which we are not supposed to be. UrbEx is also famously depicted as TOADS: temporary, obsolete, abandoned or derelict spaces (Pavia & Manaugh, 2008, as cited in Garrett, 2014). Those who consider themselves UrbExers tend to follow an unofficial-official code of ethics to “take only pictures, leave only footprints” famously quoted by Chief Seattle (Packer, 2016). As learned in class with Dr. Douglas (2021), when one goes to explore these urban, and often forgotten places, one can experience a sort of wonder when you surrender to the place and allow it to lead and direct you to where you should go. This is referred to as psychogeography, the playfulness of “drifting” around urban environments and its connection between space and psychology (Douglas, 2021).

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