Two years ago, a plan to create a smart city project along Toronto’s waterfront was unveiled with great fanfare.
Since then, the proposal, spearheaded by Sidewalk Labs, a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google’s parent company) has prompted extensive public criticism and a lawsuit by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association over data privacy and misuse concerns. The ambitious project was conceived as a showcase for the latest smart city technologies.
The project is to be centered on sustainable and safe transportation systems, and efficient and affordable housing. Technology such as “adaptive traffic lights” would prioritize cyclists and pedestrians and study the possibility of autonomous transit options. Innovative building materials and new occupancy models, like “co-housing”, would offer green, reasonably-priced housing.
With sensors tracking people and vehicles sprinkled throughout the development, privacy rights advocates are concerned that the data could be used for surveillance and discourage people to exercise free speech rights. It didn’t help that at public hearings Sidewalk Labs seemed unable to spell out where this data would be stored and how it would be used.
The company also presented a greatly expanded scope of the proposal from the original 12 acres to a 190-acre area at a public meeting, perhaps misreading the intent of the agreement with the city. These issues have caused delays to the project, but Waterfront Toronto, the city group overseeing it, recently voted to go forward with the 12-acre development.
Other smart city projects around the globe, including in South Korea and India, have been also been plagued by delays and controversies. These challenges indicate that making cities smarter will not be easy.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2019
Market conditions indicate slower growth in industrial real estate sector
E-commerce, market oversupply, rising interest rates to dampen hot market.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2019
Haskell invests in BLOX, creator of modular-based delivery method
‘Represents important part of Haskell’s future strategy,’ says CEO.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2019
Florida may eliminate certificate of need requirement for new hospitals
Bill could boost specialized facilities.
Codes and Standards | May 31, 2019
RELi 2.0 standard for sustainability, resilience being piloted
Will be open to LEED-registered or -certified projects, with introductory pricing and support.
Codes and Standards | May 31, 2019
Pankow Foundation releases report, tools for embodied carbon impacts
Focus is on MEP and tenant improvements.
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2019
USGBC receives funding for LEED for Cities and Communities Program
Bank of America provides $500,000 grant to certify 15 U.S. cities.
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2019
AIA updates Interiors Contract Documents
Six revised documents available for interior construction projects.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2019
Northern California casino offers a template for resilient microgrids
Solar power with batteries and backup generators provide weeks of self-reliance.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2019
Austin creates innovative plan to boost affordable housing
Approach includes loosened zoning, incentives for higher density in lower-cost and mixed-income developments.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2019
Effort launched to develop better process for zero-carbon retrofits in multifamily sector
Rocky Mountain Institute, Dept. of Energy, California Energy Commission join forces.