Creative Change in the Metropolis

By Chen Chi-Hsiang. Adding imagination, humor, and creativity to life can not only transform the metropolis but also ourselves. Paris, the city of art, is a metropolis with texture and creativity. The exterior walls of the entire city are regularly maintained. As the capital of flowers, its gardens and parks offer enchanting scenery across all four seasons, tended daily by gardeners and caretakers. Vacant urban spaces are also carefully organized; overgrown weeds are impossible (though everyone knows Paris is not a very clean city. Indeed, there is much room for improvement).

Regarding creative urban development, those who enjoy strolling through the city will unexpectedly discover fresh surprises everywhere. Creativity is omnipresent. For example, near the Moulin Rouge in Paris, an unused plot of land between buildings on rue d’Uperre was transformed into a creatively painted geometric basketball court, making the enclosed space more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. It attracts many young people every day to gather, practice, and play matches, fostering a warmer and more vibrant society through the combination of sports and art. During my visit, I even encountered friends from the Far East who specifically brought basketballs to play here.

Thanks to today’s social networks, the basketball court on rue d’Uperre has become a pilgrimage site for Paris visitors, offering an alternative space for sightseeing and activities. The court is located at 22 rue d’Uperre, 75009 Paris. Note that it opens starting from noon, so you can bring a basketball to play.