CityKey allows users to immerse themselves in Bremen or Riga without having to travel. Using their phone, users can open portals they can look through to find out what another city looks and feels like, meanwhile also exploring the city they’re physically in. Based on the wide range of similarities and connections between the two cities, the app involves Bremers to feel like they’re travelling and exploring Riga, and Rigans to do the same in Bremen, all while walking around in real space.

The old towns of Bremen, Germany and Riga, Latvia share many uncanncy resemblances, and at times travellers from one city may feel a connection like never before, as it may feel like home, yet different. The history and statistics are also closely shared between the cities, as they remain connected with the Sister City status since 1985. Despite all this, travel options between the cities remain underwhelming, and it is not straightforward for residents to be able to visit each other. To ensure that Bremers and Rigans are still able to explore the close similarities and fascinating differences, I created the concept for an app.

Users use the map of the opposite city to navigate the city they’re physically based in, which allows them to learn about the closely alike road layouts and related street names as they explore. Due to the analogous layouts of both cities’ old towns, this is possible. Once they reach places of interest, users can unlock portals – 360 degree looks into another city, perfectly proportional to where they stand. Users can observe how buildings around a similar statue may be alike, or how cities at such spots have developed differently. These portals can only be unlocked and explored when present at a specific place, which incentivises exploration through walking.