Over the past 70 years skateboarding has gone from fringe to mainstream. Iain Borden, author of Skateboarding and the City, selects 11 skateparks that highlight the key aspects of the movement's culture.
"Skateboarding provides a different way of experiencing our buildings and spaces, suggesting that they can be a pleasure ground of play, energy and delight," Borden, author of Skateboarding and the City: A Complete History and professor of architecture & urban culture at the Bartlett, University College London told Dezeen.
From its beginnings in 1960s California, skateboarding has grown to become an activity enjoyed in cities across the world. Skateparks are being built at a rapid rate and the sport is set to appear at the Olympics Games for the first time in 2020. "Skateparks are more than a type of sports facility"
"In 1980 the UK had less than 100 skateparks, and today it has over 2,000," said Borden.
"This pattern is being repeated in just about every country worldwide, with more municipal authorities and community groups realising that skateparks are far more than just another type of sports facility, but a way to connect with and stimulate a much wider and richer urban life," he continued.
To mark the release of his book Borden has selected skateparks from around the world that show the history and variety of the sport.
"These 11 skateparks show the sheer diversity of contemporary skateboarding ? open to connectio...