Title basically. I tried to underexpose the shadows severely to make it look more the silhouette, but that just made it look even worse. I suppose the only way to get better pics is to find a better location. But I would appreciate if someone can give me advice on any other tricks I could use to make the sky look better and take focus away from the urban hell
As others have said, framing. This picture is just as snapshot of a view you had. And if the view isn't interesting, then the snapshot isn't going to be as well. Try to get in a different position, crop in on different elements, play with composition. Create a view that a typical person wouldn't normally consider. I love shooting urban architecture and I'm sure that I would find a dozen different frames in that location that I would like. But that's another thing: maybe that's just not a subject you're interested in. Then there isn't much you can do to take a photo there that you would like. Try to find inspiration in other people's photographs and figure out what makes you like those