Twinning is the name for cities that share similarities. They are sometimes called Sister Cities. Durham is twinned with Tübingen (both are medieval university cities, for example). Someone in Tübingen with a camera and some time could work with someone in Durham to photograph and share the things they have in common. Photographs of the Wear could be put next to photographs of the Ammer, Neckar or Steinlach rivers in Tübingen.

Is it Durham or Tübingen? Or both? Are they twins? Sisters?

Better yet, a photograph of a Tübingen building could be superimposed over a map of Durham. A hybrid map that had features of both places would create a new, imaginary city that you could actually explore, if only to see what was real and what wasn't. What would happen if you tried to walk around Durham using a map from another city? Would you find the marketplace? Would you find a river where there should be a church?

What other cities are twinned with Durham? What city are you in? Would you like to twin your favourite places with similar places in the Necklace Park? Could you make some photos of your city and match them with places in Durham? Would you be willing to share ideas with someone in Durham, and make a map that can be used in both cities? Do you have a favourite spot along a river, or a market, or a garden that you could twin with a river, market or garden in the Necklace Park?

Did you know that County Durham is twinned with a Navy ship (the HMS Bulwark)? Do you have a ship, or a boat? Would you be interested in swapping photos of boat trips, fishing expeditions, races, or anything else to do with being on the water? Let us know in the comments below, or by creating an account and making your own suggestions.

Technorati : Durham, Necklace Park, mapping the necklace, sister cities, twinning