Chengdu City in southwest China's Sichuan Province is transforming the once-overlooked spaces beneath urban overpasses into vibrant hubs for fitness and social activity.
The creation helps address issues like the lack of greenery and haphazard parking in idle spaces.
Residents really appreciate the freedom from the confinement and stuffiness of indoor spaces.
"Thanks to sports parks like this, regardless of whether it's rainy, cloudy or sunny, we can engage in sports activities without any hindrance from the weather, as this place provides both shade and shelter," said a local resident.
Driven by Chengdu's recent successes of international events such as the Universiade to the World Games, the city's sports and exercise venues have grown increasingly diverse, while supporting facilities continue to be upgraded to meet the ever-rising demands of sports enthusiasts.
"Once a run-down patch beneath the bridge, the area used to draw loiterers and pose safety risks. In the three years since we took over, it has become a vibrant public space generating roughly 400,000 yuan in annual revenue. We have woven together a rich mix of experiences: young people shooting hoops on the basketball courts, their grandparents sipping tea nearby, while music classes, bird-and-flower markets and other offerings fill the grounds with life," said Liu Yujie, general manager of T-Cube Basketball Park.
"There is a community operating here, so you can enjoy some services like food and beverages that we cannot enjoy in other ordinary outdoor courts," said a local resident.
Chengdu's sports infrastructure is rapidly improving.
At the end of 2024, Chengdu has transformed 848 idle spaces into community sports corners: many of them located under bridges, along streets, riverbanks, rooftops and more, bringing sports facilities right to the doorsteps of the city's people, providing a more welcoming and diverse sports experience for everyone.
Chengdu transforms unused urban spaces into community sports corners
