6 Basketball Courts That Are A Statement Of Art And Design

Ever wondered what makes city attractive to its locals and visitors? Historical landmarks, for sure, great buildings, good food, views, greenery, waterfront. Yes, all that.

But not to forget what makes city alive- PEOPLE, and places where people can be.

Here is the list of six basketball courts from New York, USA to Belgium, from Paris, France to Italy, that are making city more liveable and lively.

Basketball court in the New York Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Design by contemporary artist Brian Donnelly — Kaws.

Work by Belgian artist Katrien Vanderlinden in city of Alost.

Most of the time, the Watersquare Benthemplein looks like many public places. There’s room for basketball, skate-boarding, or just relaxing. Its second function only becomes apparent when it rains for a while. That’s when its three basins begin to fill with water, taking pressure off Rotterdam’s sewage system, and reducing the risk of flooding.

Italian artist GUE has created this basketbal court in Italian city of Alessandria.
This piece of art is a tribute to cofounder of futurism Carlo Carrà, born in Alessandria.

The Kinloch Park court is one of several projects spearheaded by Project Backboard, a nonprofit that refurbishes run-down basketball courts, primarily in urban neighborhoods across the United States, by covering them with art.

Many of the courts that Project Backboard refurbishes are located in poor communities, where public funding is lacking, and, as Peterson explains, “where public parks and basketball courts have not been attended to, and are in complete disrepair.”

Ill-Studio and Pigalle have returned to a basketball court they previously overhauled with bold patterns, replacing primary colours with gradients of blue, pink, purple and orange.
The Pigalle Duperré is sandwiched into a row of buildings in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.