Eli Elza

Media Writing
Feature Story
March 1, 2023
Do Not Enter: The Ethics of Urban Exploration

Driving through any town or city, you have probably seen your fair share of abandoned
buildings. You may have also been on a hike and seen a structure that is close to completely
falling down. These buildings and structures are often overlooked or seen as an eyesore.
However, for an urban explorer, any abandoned building is a new adventure.
Urban exploration is a hobby where people visit interesting man-made structures. These
places are often abandoned and off-limits to most. Due to this, most forms of urban exploration
are considered illegal. It is considered trespassing if someone has to climb a fence or break-in in
any way. Even if there is no fence, having up “No Trespassing” signs still makes the exploration
trespassing.
On top of that, just because a building appears like it is abandoned does not mean it is. A
building is considered legally abandoned based on how long it has been vacant, its level of
upkeep, and even an owner's long-term plans for the property. While no one is living in or taking
care of a building, there is still someone who owns the building. That may be the government or
a private owner.
There are some legal loopholes to get around trespassing charges that have worked for
urban explorers in the past. However, these are not foolproof methods, so if someone is caught
trespassing, they will still receive charges. The penalties for trespassing range from fines and
community service to jail time.
Along with legal issues, urban exploration is dangerous for many reasons. Most of the
structures urban explorers are going to have been left to fall apart, leaving them structurally
unstable. People regularly misjudge the stability of floors and, as a result, fall through. This leads
to major injuries and some cases, death.
There is a risk of being exposed to dangerous chemicals. Many old buildings were made
with asbestos-containing materials or lead paint. Toxic mold and mildew are common and pose
their own risks.
Abandoned buildings may also not be entirely abandoned. From squatters, criminals, and
drug dealers, there can be other people already there. These people may leave urban explorers
alone, but they could rob or harm the explorers.
Despite all these risks, people continue to seek out abandoned buildings. Jubilee Nale, a
photographer specializing in urban exploration photography, explained that, for her, urban
exploration “is about the community. It’s finding places through people, meeting up with people
you would have otherwise never run into.” The urban exploration community is comprised of
people who want to explore abandoned man-made structures and, most importantly, want to
document them. The most common way people do that is, like Nale, with photography. Nale also
said that she has a degree in history and uses her resources to study and research any building
before she goes. “I did all the research, so I’d go places, and I’d know exactly what everything
is.”
However, she further explains that it’s really difficult actually to get into the community.
Nale has only recently been able to get into the community despite going urban exploring for six
years previously. “More so recently than ever before, there are people who find these places, and
instead of documenting and then just leaving, they decide, ‘I’m gonna set this place on fire,’”
Nale said in response to why the community is so hesitant to let others in. “Every place I’ve gone
to at this point is now gone because someone has set it on fire.” She cites this as the reason why
no urban explorer will ever tell you where they explore.
The mantra of the urban exploration community is, “Take nothing but photos, leave
nothing but footprints.” Those who do not follow this are not a part of the community. Urban
explorers, while what they do, in most cases, is illegal, strive to keep these structures, forgotten
by everyone else, alive.
https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/urban-sports/legal-to-explore-
abandoned-buildings.htm
https://www.obsidianurbexphotography.com/faqs/what-is-urban-exploration/
https://www.fifefreepress.com/urbex-tourism-the-perils-of-going-into-abandoned-places/
https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/urban-sports/urban-
exploration.htm#:~:text=The%20experience%20of%20scoping%20out,old%20architecture
%20and%20ancient%20machinery.