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What real locales are you thinking of?

Many locations in the former USSR and Eastern Bloc? North Korea?

see the problem here is you somehow associate socialism -- i.e. socialist urbanism and architecture -- with dystopia

Actually, I associate not the political philosophy, but the reality of everyday life in 20th century communist countries with dystopia.

The reality of everyday life in the 21st century for many people in capitalist countries is dystopian. GP is right, you're showing your bias.