In this project, we explored Holtenauer Straße in Kiel, which is both a busy shopping street as well as a residential area and home to many residents of Kiel. In search of the street's "digital identity," we took a closer look at the emotional charge of public space and addressed the following question:
Using an interactive map, we collected emotions and experiences that people associate with Holtenauer Straße. In addition, we conducted qualitative interviews to get a deeper impression of the perception of the neighborhood and its stories. Based on the research, the insights we gained were as follows: People are willing to anonymously share their experiences. Primarily positive, but also negative ones. Also, most people are interested in the stories that happen in their neighborhood.
With the app "holtenauergefühl", the emotional charge of public space can be experienced interactively. By navigating on a map, the user can explore which experiences and emotions are associated with certain places. The content can be played back either in audio format or in text form. If there is not enough time on the road, all the stories collected along the way are saved in a playlist so that they can be listened to at a later time.
While the shared emotions and experiences can be accessed from any location, one only learns on site where exactly the stories happened. Thus, using the app is an invitation to explore Holtenauer Straße and share experiences.
Each emotion shared through the experiences is assigned a different color. On an abstracted map, the user can thus explore the different experiences and navigate to them on the spot. The size of the color clouds reflects how many emotions of this type have been shared.
The main screen shows an abstracted map of the collected stories and emotions of Holtenauer Straße. Each emotion is assigned a color, and a legend is located in the upper left corner. If you are on Holtenauer Straße, the individual experiences can be played back at the places where they happened. Only on the spot you can see where which experience took place.
If you want to share an experience yourself, you can first determine the emotion via sliders. In the next step, the story can be localized and described - either via text or voice input.
If there is no time on the road, all stories collected along the way are saved in the media library. Thus, the "found" stories can also be listened to at a later time.
Fascinated by the stories that take place in our immediate environment, we had great fun compiling them in our research. We found the linking of experiences and associated emotions particularly exciting. The Holtenauergefühl app helps people identify with their own neighborhood and its people - both digitally and on site.
