Cityscapes don’t stay still. Over the past century, the world’s most famous cities have undergone dramatic transformations—some so extensive they’re almost unrecognizable.
What were once quiet boulevards or modest town centers are now surrounded by soaring buildings, dense traffic, and modern infrastructure.
This article looks closely at how much these places have changed by placing historical photographs side by side with recent views from the same spots.
These visual comparisons make it clear just how quickly cities adapt, expand, and rebuild—often erasing traces of what came before.
From New York to Tokyo, Paris to Shanghai, the pace of change reflects shifting economies, cultural revolutions, and rapid technological advances.
Then and Now: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro is the second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the sixth-most-populous city in the Americas.
Founded in 1565 by the Portuguese, the city was initially the seat of the Captaincy of Rio de Janeiro, a domain of the Portuguese Empire. In 1763, it became the capital of the State of Brazil, a state of the Portuguese Empire.
Then and Now: Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, South Korea.
The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world’s sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022.
Although Seoul’s population peaked at over 10 million, it has gradually decreased since 2014, standing at about 9.6 million residents as of 2025.
Then and Now: Hong Kong
Hong Kong.
Hong Kong was established as a colony of the British Empire after the Qing dynasty ceded Hong Kong Island in 1841–1842 as a consequence of losing the First Opium War.
The colony expanded to the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and was further extended when the United Kingdom obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898.
Originally a sparsely populated area of farming and fishing villages, the territory is now one of the world’s most significant financial centers and commercial ports.
Then and Now: Manhattan
Manhattan (New York City).
Manhattan, borough of New York City, coextensive with New York county, in southeastern New York state, U.S.
The borough, mainly on Manhattan Island, spills over into the Marble Hill section on the mainland and includes a number of islets in the East River.
It is bounded by the Hudson River (west), Harlem River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek (northeast), East River (east), and Upper New York Bay (south). Manhattan is often mistakenly deemed synonymous with New York City.
Then and Now: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Founded in the early 18th century as a pearling and fishing settlement, Dubai became a regional trade hub in the 20th century after declaring itself a free port (1901) and extending the Creek (1961).
Modest oil revenue helped accelerate Dubai’s development from the 1960s to the 1990s when the city started to diversify its economy.
Rapid construction since the 1990s has produced one of the world’s densest skylines, including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Extensive land-reclamation projects have added more than 300 kilometres (190 mi) of artificial coastline.
Another view of Dubai, what 30 years of prosperity can do.
Then and Now: Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan.
With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world.
The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes Tokyo and parts of six neighboring prefectures, is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with 41 million resident
Tokyo, 1945 and now.
Tokyo sustained severe damage during World War II, particularly during the final year of the conflict. On the night of March 9–10, 1945, the city was the target of Operation Meetinghouse, one of the most destructive air raids in history.
Over 300 U.S. B-29 bombers dropped incendiary bombs that ignited a massive firestorm, destroying approximately 16 square miles and killing an estimated 100,000 civilians.
In the months that followed, additional bombing raids further devastated the city’s infrastructure and population.
By the end of the war, much of Tokyo was reduced to rubble, playing a significant role in Japan’s eventual decision to surrender in August 1945.
Then and Now: Toronto, Canada
Toronto 1953 vs 2020s.
Then and Now: Shanghai, China
Shanghai, China.
Shanghai is located on the Chinese shoreline on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the Huangpu River flowing through it.
Major changes of fortune for the city would occur when economic reforms initiated by paramount leader Deng Xiaoping during the 1980s resulted in an intense redevelopment and revitalization of the city by the 1990s, especially the Pudong New Area, aiding the return of finance and foreign investment.
The city has since re-emerged as a hub for international trade and finance.
Then and Now: Moscow, Russia.
Moscow, Russia.
Moscow has a population estimated at over 13 million residents within the city limits, over 19.1 million residents in the urban area, and over 21.5 million residents in its metropolitan area.
The city is among the world’s largest cities, being the most populous city entirely in Europe, the largest urban and metropolitan area in Europe, and the largest city by land area on the European continent.
Then and Now: A boulevard in Paris, France
A boulevard in Paris, France.
Paris is the fourth-most populous city in the European Union and the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2022.
Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of the world’s major centers of finance, diplomacy, commerce, culture, fashion, and gastronomy.
Because of its leading role in the arts and sciences and its early adoption of extensive street lighting, Paris became known as the City of Light in the 19th century.
Then and Now: Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany.
Berlin endured extensive destruction during World War II as the capital of Nazi Germany and a key strategic target for Allied forces.
The city was subjected to sustained aerial bombardment by both the British Royal Air Force and the U.S. Army Air Forces, particularly from 1943 onward. Heavy raids caused widespread fires, civilian casualties, and the collapse of critical infrastructure.
In April and May 1945, the Battle of Berlin marked the final major offensive in the European theater, as Soviet forces encircled and captured the city after intense street fighting and artillery bombardment.
Then and Now: Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey.
The city now known as Istanbul developed to become one of the most significant cities in history. Byzantium was founded on the Sarayburnu promontory by Greek colonists, potentially in the seventh century BC.
Istanbul’s strategic position along the historic Silk Road, rail networks to Europe and West Asia, and the only sea route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean have helped foster an eclectic populace, although less so since the establishment of the Republic in 1923.
Then and Now: Singapore, Republic of Singapore
Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
Singapore City‘s contemporary era began in 1819, when Stamford Raffles established Singapore as an entrepôt trading post of the British Empire.
In 1867, Singapore came under the direct control of Britain as part of the Straits Settlements.
During World War II, Singapore was occupied by Japan in 1942 and returned to British control as a Crown colony following Japan’s surrender in 1945.
Then and Now: London, Great Britain
London, Great Britain.
London grew rapidly in the 19th century, becoming the world’s largest city at the time.
Since the 19th century the name “London” has referred to the metropolis around the City of London, historically split between the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, Kent and Hertfordshire, which since 1965 has largely comprised the administrative area of Greater London, governed by 33 local authorities and the Greater London Authority.
Then and Now: Düsseldorf, Germany.
Düsseldorf, Germany. From highway, to green park.
Düsseldorf is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state of Germany.
Linguistically, Düsseldorf is the largest city in the German part of the Low Franconian area, dialects that are closely related to Dutch.
Düsseldorf is an international business and financial center, renowned for its fashion and trade fairs, and is headquarters to one Fortune Global 500 and two DAX companies.
Then and Now: Boston, USA.
Boston, USA.
The Big Dig was a megaproject in Boston that rerouted the then elevated Central Artery of Interstate 93 that cut across Boston into the O’Neill Tunnel and built the Ted Williams Tunnel to extend Interstate 90 to Logan International Airport.
The Big Dig was the most expensive highway project in the United States, and was plagued by cost overruns, delays, leaks, design flaws, accusations of poor execution and use of substandard materials, criminal charges and arrests, and the death of one motorist.
The project was originally scheduled to be completed in 1998[3] at an estimated cost of $2.8 billion, US$7.4 billion adjusted for inflation as of 2020.
The project was completed in December 2007 at a cost of over $8.08 billion in 1982 dollars, $21.5 billion adjusted for inflation.
Then and Now: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam, Netherlands.
During World War II, the Dutch city of Rotterdam suffered one of the most devastating attacks in the early stages of the conflict.
On May 14, 1940, just days after the German invasion of the Netherlands, the Luftwaffe launched a massive bombing raid on the city’s center.
In less than 15 minutes, much of Rotterdam was reduced to rubble. The attack killed nearly 900 civilians, left over 80,000 homeless, and destroyed the historic medieval core of the city.
The bombing was intended to force Dutch surrender—and it succeeded. The Netherlands capitulated shortly afterward.
Then and Now: Sydney, Australia.
Sydney, Australia.
In 1788, the First Fleet of convicts, led by Arthur Phillip, founded Sydney as a British penal colony, the first European settlement in Australia.
After World War II, Sydney experienced mass migration and by 2021 over 40 per cent of the population was born overseas.
Foreign countries of birth with the greatest representation are mainland China, India, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Then and Now: Detroit, US
Detroit’s decay.
Once a booming industrial powerhouse and the heart of the U.S. auto industry, Detroit thrived in the first half of the 20th century, earning the nickname “Motor City.”
Its population peaked in the 1950s at nearly 1.9 million. However, deindustrialization, automation, and the relocation of manufacturing jobs led to massive job losses by the 1970s.
Racial tensions, white flight, and poor city planning accelerated the city’s decline.
As residents and businesses left, tax revenue plummeted, leading to cuts in public services and widespread abandonment. Entire neighborhoods were left with crumbling buildings and empty lots.
Then and Now: Main Street, Deadwood, Dakota, US
Main Street, Deadwood, Dakota.
Then and Now: Dresden, Germany
Dresden, Germany: A city rebuilding its architectural soul after the devastation of WWII bombings.
During World War II, Dresden was the site of one of the most controversial Allied bombing campaigns of the conflict.
Once known as the “Florence on the Elbe” for its stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage, Dresden had largely avoided destruction until February 1945.
On the nights of February 13–15, British and American forces launched a series of air raids that devastated the city. Incendiary bombs created a firestorm that engulfed entire neighborhoods, killing an estimated 25,000 people, most of them civilians.
The bombing flattened much of the historic city center and remains a subject of debate—critics argue that Dresden had little strategic value at that point in the war, while others defend it as part of the broader campaign to weaken Nazi Germany.
After the war, Dresden was rebuilt under East German rule, and in recent decades, significant efforts have been made to restore its architectural landmarks, including the Frauenkirche, which was completed in 2005.
Then and Now: St. Margaret’s Bay, Canada
St. Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada.
St. Margaret’s Bay in 1894 showing a stranded steel-hulled ship, the Firth of Cromarty.
After removing her cargo of cement and taking down some of the rigging, she was refloated and was passed fit for further service.
(Photo credit and compilation: RHP).