Skaters have always seen more than the average person when looking at architectural form. Skaters look at things differently. To many, a picnic bench is just a place to eat your lunch, but to skaters it can take on a whole new meaning.
"For years, architects have gone to great lengths to protect their buildings from marauding skaters. But as aesthetic trends move toward folded planes that transition seamlessly from wall to ceiling and back to wall, designers have been looking to their former adversaries for a lesson in flow.", says Wired.
Skateparks.org reported that, "Finally it appears that architects are picking up on skaters' desires and creating forms that are intentionally interactive. It has been no secret to urban planners that successful public spaces require public participation, and few groups are more participatory than skateboarders. Architects are learning that by creating forms that attract skaters they can immediately activate a space like never before."
For the Wired Magazine article that recently covered this change of thinking click here.

Local youth and international NGO workers in Kabul, Afghanistan have started the country's first skateboarding school, Skateistan. By introducing the positive and cross-cultural aspects of skateboarding, Skateistan hopes to provide new opportunities to the local youth.

Skateboarding students are admitted based on a number of economic and cultural factors. Skateistan's curriculum obviously includes skateboarding instruction but also has qualities of project management, life skills, and English. Ultimately the group's mission is to empower the students to take leadership positions on issues important to them and build social networks that cross ethic barriers. One of the clearest reflections of that mission is that Skateistan teaches both boys and girls.

The group is currently securing a permanent location for their school and recruiting additional staff. While Skateistan is still in its early development, it still qualifies for one of the world's boldest and most visionary skateboarding missions ever. Just imagine the potential...For more information about this skate school click here.