Google Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs strikes deal to turn 800 acres of Toronto into an ‘in

[Chadillaccc]

Dystopian? Please explain why it's dystopian, if you don't mind. I'm unfamiliar with this project, and haven't read much about the controversy.

[Martin Mtl]

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

Dystopian, but at least it's pretty!

Black Mirror town. Thanks, but no thanks.

[blacktrojan3921]

Originally Posted by Martin Mtl

Black Mirror town. Thanks, but no thanks.

You're going to have to be specific xD Which episode of black mirror are you referring to?

In any case, if Sidewalks Labs pulls this off, this will be a huge victory for the Toronto waterfront, and a coup for the company itself.

[niwell]

The current proposal looks great, but this is basically a trial run for cities built around constant data collection from residents / visitors. It's Google's raison d'être and I have no expectations they are changing anytime soon.

[wave46]

Originally Posted by niwell

The current proposal looks great, but this is basically a trial run for cities built around constant data collection from residents / visitors. It's Google's raison d'être and I have no expectations they are changing anytime soon.

China's Social Credit System

So, like this, but operated by the private sector.

Scary.

[WhipperSnapper]

I know it's just an artist vision but, there's nothing exciting about the design or differentiates itself from the half dozen other major waterfront developments; big residential tower blocks fronted by big midrise office blocks. The feature block with its large glass rain shelter ... well ... every proposal has those too.

[Pinus]

Originally Posted by milomilo

Lol, that just proved his point. 1/640th of another illogical unit, very clear. But of course it's the fault of our young minds that can't adapt to change, only your wisdom can shine a light on the true best way to measure area.

Imperial math makes my head hurt.

[ssiguy]

Are these going to be standard glass box like most of the Waterfront?

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Project is dead

https://medium.com/sidewalk-talk/why...s-9a61de3fee3a

For the last two-and-a-half years, we have been passionate about making Quayside happen — indeed, we have invested time, people, and resources in Toronto, including opening a 30-person office on the waterfront. But as unprecedented economic uncertainty has set in around the world and in the Toronto real estate market, it has become too difficult to make the 12-acre project financially viable without sacrificing core parts of the plan we had developed together with Waterfront Toronto to build a truly inclusive, sustainable community. And so, after a great deal of deliberation, we concluded that it no longer made sense to proceed with the Quayside project, and let Waterfront Toronto know yesterday.

[MonkeyRonin]

Good riddance.

[goodgrowth]

"Smart City" always seemed like this vague idea...in reality it probably just meant condos with some extra wifi hotspots..

[suburbanite]

Ya can't say I'm too upset about no longer being a guinea pig for Google to try and figure out what ads to target me with based on my garbage.

This area will get redeveloped in time, and good urban design principles should take priority over private interests.