In 2017, American photographer Austin Bell first set foot in Hong Kong. Like many others, he was captivated by the vibrant colors of the Choi Hung Estate neighborhood, known for its rainbow-colored facades. However, it was only when he took to the skies with his drone that he noticed something else: the basketball courts. Painted in bright hues and nestled within the dense urban landscape, they stood out starkly compared to the more monotonous courts he was used to in the United States. This sparked a question: how many of these courts were there across the city?
A Key Element of Urban Landscape
Two years later, Bell returned with a specific mission: to photograph every outdoor basketball court in Hong Kong. He discovered there were 2,549 courts spread across 1,935 locations—from schools to public housing complexes and parks. Over 140 days, he traversed the city, mostly on foot and by public transport, capturing a total of 40,000 images.
The ubiquitous presence of basketball courts in Hong Kong is no accident. Since the 1950s and 1960s, the city has incorporated sports facilities into its urban planning. Standards set in 1982 and later revised in 1991 mandate that a court should be accessible within 400 meters for residents, with a distribution of one court per 10,000 residents.
But these spaces are not limited to sports alone. In a city where public space is scarce, they also function as community gathering spots: where people play, but also dance, practice tai-chi, and sometimes even hang their laundry.
Courts Designed to Be Seen
Unlike the typical concrete or asphalt courts, those in Hong Kong are often painted in bright colors. This is a deliberate choice by local authorities—including the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Housing Authority, and the Education Bureau—who aim to brighten up the urban space.
This approach takes on a new dimension when viewed from above. Bell captures these courts in aerial shots, highlighting their geometric shapes and the contrast they offer against the dense city backdrop.
A Project Turned Into an Exhibition and Book
All of Bell’s work has culminated in a book, Shooting Hoops, which compiles his images and documents his process. An exhibition by the same name was also held at the Blue Lotus Gallery in Hong Kong, showcasing this unique perspective on the city.
While Bell doesn’t consider himself a basketball enthusiast, his project demonstrates how an everyday element can transform into a standalone graphic work of art. By rising above, he offers a shifted view of Hong Kong and its urban planning.
