Nepal Skatepark
Getting up over and over again!
A skate park as an engine of development for social infrastructures.
The Nepal Skatepark empowers the young people who use it and, at the same time, fulfils a function as a focal point for the neighbourhood.
The Nepal Skatepark was opened in spring 2022 and is an important part of the development of social infrastructures in the country. The project was initiated and financed by Skate-Aid. The maier landschaftsarchitektur office in Cologne designed and built the complex.
The most important outcome of this collaboration is the sustainable partnerships that are formed on the ground with those who not only install the project but also operate it on a long-term basis. In this instance, it’s the organisation “Yuwa for Change”.
The Nepal Skatepark empowers young people through its on-site educational skateboard workshops. At the same time, the complex functions as a kind of focal point for the neighbourhood.
The Nepal Skatepark is part of a sports and educational programme designed to rebuild the country.
Nepal is located in southern Asia, between the People’s Republic of China and India. The country had developed and modernised rapidly over a period of 20 years, until a devastating earthquake destroyed large parts of the country in 2015.
The Nepal Skatepark is part of a sports and educational programme designed to rebuild the country.
The park is located on the outskirts of the city of Butwal (138,000 inhabitants), at the foot of the Himalayas, about 240 km west of the capital Kathmandu.
The concept fulfils more functions than a skate park alone can do and enables the sustainable operation of the facility.
The design of the skate park was based on the abstract image of two crossed skateboards, which is the logo of Skate-Aid. This cross forms the basic layout of the complex and subdivides the 400 m² park.
The central area is the heart of the facility. The skatepark is located here. The selected skateboarding elements represent a straightforward introduction for local young people, but also provide variety for advanced skaters – especially benches, curbs and handrails. The outer ends have been designed as ramps which serve to increase momentum and ensure a better flow.
The adjacent areas are each 120 m² in size. Here they consist of a streetball surface and a basin-shaped skateboarding feature known as a bowl. However, they can also be flexibly adapted, for example as multifunctional sports and event areas, further skateboarding areas, playgrounds or for the construction of a youth centre.
The concept fulfils more functions than a skate park alone can do and enables the long-term, flexible and sustainable operation of the facility.
The concept can be reconstructed in a modular way at other locations.
The concept of the Nepal Skatepark can be scaled and reproduced in a modular way at other locations. This is particularly useful when local conditions are difficult and when there is a low budget. The zoning of the facility also means that construction can take place in various, independent phases.
Due to its elongated shape, the middle area is ideally suited for developing different and exciting skate parks for future projects.
The clear, simple shapes make it possible to build a roof over certain areas at a later date, so that these can be used even in bad weather.
Falling down and getting up again – that’s what it’s all about. In Nepal and everywhere else in the world.
Common to all these projects is their sustainable operation by local partner organisations. What good is the most beautiful facility if no one takes care of it? In this way, facilities such as the Nepal Skatepark give children and young people easy access to permanent opportunities to develop into strong personalities by being part of a community in a positive environment.
Falling down and getting up again – that’s what it’s all about. Learning to do so is perhaps the greatest benefit that sport and architecture can provide.
Project data
Design
Rösrather Straße 769
D – 51107 Cologne
Client
Wallstraße 86
D – 10179 Berlin
Operator
Physical address
Skatepark Butwal
Tilottama 32907
Nepal
Concept
