BuddyCities: Visualizing Famous Cities Through Time, from Ancient Civilizations to Today

BuddyCities offers a fascinating visualization of how famous cities have evolved over centuries, allowing users to journey through time and explore the physical and cultural transformation of urban landscapes.

Take Rome, for example. In ancient times, it was a bustling center of trade, politics, and religion, with landmarks like the Colosseum and Forum serving as public gathering spaces. Fast-forward to the Renaissance, and the city became a hub for art and science, with new monuments like St. Peter’s Basilica symbolizing its growing influence.

Similarly, Istanbul has evolved from its days as Byzantium and Constantinople. Under Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman rule, its architecture, markets, and social spaces reflected the diverse cultural influences that shaped its identity over time.

BuddyCities allows users to compare these transformations side by side, exploring how cities like London, Beijing, and New York have adapted to changing social, political, and technological contexts.