Sidewalk Labs Toronto - A Brief History

Google Sidewalk Labs here in Toronto was to be the beginning of a great leap forward in urban design. Scrap everything we know about urban planning and construction, and start new with bold ideas. Why can't affordable housing be truly affordable? Why do we need to prioritize car traffic over pedestrian and mass transit? Why can't it be comfortable to walk year round outdoors?
These were some simple questions posed to fundamentally change how this pilot project would be designed and built. With the help of real time data, and a fresh approach to urban design, anything would be possible here.
If you thought it was too good to be true, you're right. None of this came to fruition even after millions were spent on consultation and planning. Google Sidewalk Labs ultimately packed up and left. Here's a brief history as seen by a Torontonian.

[@cw4959]

Don’t overthink it- extend the lrt and do a transit oriented development around a nice park and out the make it a land trust to take the units or a percentage of the units off the market and keep them affordable

[@madraven07]

Total control over your every move. What could possibly go wrong?

[@yohh-hj1lf]

Currently working on a Quayside case study as an assignment for school. Have you written any articles / blogs online that might've delve deeper into this topic? Thanks

[@user-ot5yn3gm5d]

As much as the concerns that the city raised in opposition to this is totally understandable to me. It still sucks to know that this didn't actually end up happening because whether we like it or not, this is the future, and the opportunity to pioneer sheer innovation in some of the most key systems in the history of society is not one one should easily give up. Seems like Toronto lacked leadership in this case.

[@cowboybebop1543]

Me and my homies fuck the surveillance capitalism this project sell.

[@lCECREAMStudios]

it makes me angry to see the people on toronto hate on this this looks like a great smart city also kinda cool how it looks like its going to be made of wood like its about time truely sucks that the people of toronto hate ideas like this so what if its too expensive you going to cry? if its too expensive move out the idea of futuristic city is so cool to me people in toronto is no fun

[@___.51]

Over-designed, overly invasive, overly ambitious, Typical silicon valley project.

[@Raymond.W]

I hope they learned something from this that can be applied elsewhere around the city.