We are designing an �electronic lens� that provides pedestrians with immediate, on-the-spot, geographically and temporally contextualized information about the attractions and resources that a city offers. The Electronic Lens explores and creates new paradigms of civic ubiquitous networking with mobile technologies. The eLens matches electronic information with the physical environment in an innovative way; for example, eLens users can post lasting messages in physical locations, tag buildings and places, or create social networks based on interest and social affinities. eLens interactions combine the physical environment with formal and institutional information and the annotations from users� personal experiences.