Under-appreciated but obvious signs of development

I have access to not one, but two, hotlines for potholes in the road. I can report them online to the Hennepin county or, if I find them on campus, I can call and report them to the University of Minnesota.

Bill Easterly had a great bit about potholes as a symbol of development in Elusive Quest for Growth, which I read while working in poorly planned expansive village/city in Senegal, so the example has stuck with me.