CityLens

About the Project CityLens started as an idea to make cities more connected, sustainable, and user-friendly. Inspired by the challenges people face in urban environments—such as finding facilities, exploring hidden historical gems, and understanding the environmental impact of their surroundings—we sought to create a solution that blends technology, urban planning, and sustainability.

The project aims to bridge the gap between urban infrastructure and human interaction. CityLens provides three main pathways for users to explore: the Infrastructure Path, Forgotten Stories Line, and Urban Green Trail. Each pathway has its unique purpose, from helping gig economy workers locate essential facilities to offering a deep dive into a city's hidden history and encouraging eco-conscious behaviors.

What Inspired Us The inspiration for CityLens came from observing everyday struggles faced by people living in fast-growing cities. For example, the scarcity of public trash bins in Sydney often leads to littering, and the lack of easily accessible public toilets or water stations is an issue for many, especially in urban areas. Additionally, we noticed how people in cities often walk by historical buildings or green spaces without truly connecting with them.

Another major source of inspiration came from the growing importance of sustainability in urban life. Cities need to adopt technologies that foster environmental responsibility, and CityLens aims to subtly educate users about sustainability and environmental impact while they interact with their city.

How We Built It CityLens was developed using the following tools and frameworks: Frontend: TypeScript + React.js + Next.js + Tailwind CSS Backend: Node.js + Next.js Database: Cloud Cloud Server: Google Computing Platform

VR Integration: We used VR technology to create immersive experiences, allowing users to virtually explore locations like historical landmarks and green spaces in a city.

The development process was iterative. We started by building the interactive map that shows various facilities (like water stations, toilets, and trash bins). Then, we integrated VR elements into the Forgotten Stories Line, allowing users to virtually step into historical sites and experience them in a way that is much deeper than traditional tourist apps.

The Urban Green Trail was added to educate users about sustainability while they explored green spaces, providing real-time VR information about how these spaces contribute to the fight against climate change.

Challenges We Faced Data Collection: Gathering accurate data about facilities and their locations was one of the biggest hurdles. For example, identifying accessible toilets and charging stations in the city required manual mapping and research.

VR Integration: Integrating VR into our app, especially when it came to creating immersive experiences for the Forgotten Stories Line, was technically challenging. Aligning virtual elements with the physical space required careful planning and design.

User Engagement: Designing an interface that would encourage users to engage with the app and explore its features was an ongoing process. We had to refine how we presented information and ensured that the app was user-friendly.

Scalability: As we envisioned CityLens expanding to hardware in the future, we considered how it would function in different environments and how we could scale it to a larger user base across multiple cities.

What We Learned Building CityLens taught us about the importance of user-centered design in urban technology projects. We learned how crucial it is to solve practical problems in a way that is intuitive and accessible for users.

We also learned a lot about working with VR technology and integrating interactive maps. Collaborating as a team taught us how to divide tasks effectively, especially when it comes to frontend and backend work.

Finally, the project deepened our understanding of sustainability and how technology can play a role in making cities more eco-friendly.

The Future of CityLens As we continue refining CityLens, we aim to deploy it onto portable hardware, such as kiosks or mobile stations, that can be placed throughout the city. This hardware would provide users with easy access to all of CityLens' features, making it a part of the urban landscape and truly integrating technology with daily life.