In our everyday journeys, we often rely on digital tools like Google Maps – following the blue dot without truly noticing or memorising the spaces we move through. Yet, even without realising it, we are constantly perceiving, mapping, and remembering our surroundings in unique and personal ways. On Thursday 21 August the Urbanistas Rotterdam took over BAR OMI for a sketching party. With countless sheets of paper, Sharpies in every color of the rainbow, and sticky notes, everyone visualized their own personal experience of the city.

Right upon entering, the first participants began creating their mind map of the city. With homemade Urbanistas cocktails (and mocktails) and music from different world cities, the atmosphere was lively. The central question ‘How do you remember the route to BAR OMI?’ was visualized differently by everyone.

Afterwards, the drawings displayed on the wall were discussed together. This sparked all kinds of questions: How does your mode of transport influence the way you experience the city? Do you notice the same small details when cycling as you do on foot, or are you mainly focused on navigating the busy traffic? Does a newcomer pay more attention to Rotterdam’s iconic buildings, or do these landmarks serve as important waypoints for everyone? The diverse mind maps became the starting point for in-depth conversations about the river as centre of the city, the contrasts between neighborhoods, and each person’s personal feelings and thoughts while moving through a dynamic city like Rotterdam.