Social media is definitely a-buzz and MyCityLives is Toronto’s answer to the new craze of location based networks. However, this project has more heart then one might expect from all the newcomers trying to get a piece of the pie.

Born out of the frustration of feeling limited by the recession, a group of individuals came together to brainstorm some innovative initiatives to combat the defeated morale that permeated the economy. Creativity Killed The Recession is the community that evolved out of the hard work of founders Adil Dhalla and Adam Ben-Aron. CKTR aims to “bring creative people together to network, support, and collaborate ideas under the collective goal of using creativity to alleviate the recession and its mental and physical effects.”

MyCityLives is one of their projects, designed to allow city dwellers to share their experiences in the places they visit with online networks. Using the power of personal video, MyCityLives offers an interactive map of Toronto where you can “visit” locations, courtesy of other network users. You can get a video tour of the establishment as experienced by one of its visitors. The focus is on building communities, local awareness and neighborhood business alliances.

One of the restaurants in the neighborhood I work in has a huge map on the wall with all the local businesses and community organizations initiated with a similar idea in mind. The value of the physicality of this versus an intangible online presence is debatable but I think that both are serving the same heart and soul: A need to unite voices and experience in our personal networks to build greater strength.

1. adam says:

   November 2, 2010 at 3:22 pm

   thanks erin for the really nice piece. I really appreciate that you see the “heart” that we’re trying to put into the city and the project.

   Thanks a bunch
   Adam
2. Adil says:

   November 2, 2010 at 4:05 pm

   Erin, very nice of you to write this piece and for your kind words. Ironically enough, our new animation actually factors in the “beating heart” concept as we feel that it speaks to what we’re about in more ways than one. Check out the last few second of this video: http://mycitylives.com/#/videos/1279

   Cheers and again, thank you for spreading the love.

   Adil.

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