TORONTO – Sidewalk Labs has released its vision for a substantial new development on Toronto’s eastern waterfront that is facing criticism for its ambition and overreach.
The plan sets out what Sidewalk Labs, a subsidiary of Google parent-company Alphabet Inc., hopes will be a blueprint for urban development that will incorporate the latest concepts in building design, mobility, sustainability and inclusivity.
The more than 1,500-page plan goes into detail about its proposal for the 4.8-hectare Quayside site, but also outlines its concept for an entire 77-hectare eastern waterfront district.
Waterfront Toronto, a partnership between three levels of government that is now reviewing the proposal, has already raised concerns about the scope of the plans.
WATCH: Sidewalk Labs points to possible solutions for security concerns. Shallima Maharaj reports.
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Steve Diamond, chair of the Waterfront board of directors, says in a letter that the wider concept is “premature,” while also raising concerns about Sidewalk wanting to be lead developer at Quayside and requiring government commitments on several key matters before proceeding.
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The development, which would incorporate extensive surveillance technology, has also come under criticism over privacy issues that Sidewalk hopes to ease through the creation of a independent trust to oversee data collection and use.
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WATCH: Designers give sneak peek into what Sidewalk Labs will look like (March 1, 2019)
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