Google's Sidewalk Labs Smart City Moves To Next Phase
Sidewalk Labs’ ambitious 12-acre smart city has "sufficient merit" to proceed to the next phase of the approvals process, a Waterfront Toronto assessment team has concluded.
In a "discussion guide" from the tri-government agency, Waterfront Toronto gave approval for 144 of 160 of Sidewalk Labs’ wide-ranging solutions for the massive waterfront neighbourhood project.
“The solutions help address sustainability, mobility, the need to develop inclusive and complete communities, and solutions that create jobs and economic prosperity. There are also solutions that enable the creation of a responsible digital environment,” the guide reads.
Some of the innovations getting a thumbs-up include a mass timber factory for the construction of wood buildings, automated schedulers for office and homes, rooftop solar panels and 20% affordable rental housing.
The 16 ideas not meeting the evaluation committee’s approval include a sewage waste heat recovery system connected to the Ashbridge’s Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, and building "raincoats" to allow year-round use of outdoor spaces.
Waterfront Toronto notes that support for certain solutions may change based on public feedback, public policy priorities and support from governments.
The public is invited to give their feedback at two public meetings to be held Feb. 29 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.
