Urban Memories originated from my observations and reflections on urban change. Every city has countless forgotten stories that gradually disappear as old buildings are demolished and residents relocate. This project attempts to preserve these precious memories in a digital form.
PhotographyNarrative DesignCommunity Art
Urban Memories
2023
A photography and interactive narrative project about urban memory. Through collecting personal stories and old photographs from urban residents, it constructs a multi-dimensional archive of city memories.
During the project, I visited multiple old communities in the city, interviewed dozens of long-term residents, and collected hundreds of precious old photographs. These materials were integrated into an interactive website where users can browse, search, and even contribute their own memories.
The archive features over 200 stories from residents spanning three generations, accompanied by photographs ranging from the 1950s to the present day. Each story is geotagged and connected to specific locations, creating a layered map of collective memory.
The interactive platform was designed to encourage participation: visitors can add their own memories, respond to others stories, and explore the neighborhood through a timeline-based navigation system.
These walls remember what we have forgotten.
— A participant from the project