Privacy advocates celebrate as Sidewalk Labs walks away from its Toronto project
Cranes near Toronto’s undeveloped Eastern Waterfront (Photo Credit: Toronto Star)
Written by: Emmy Carlos
On May 7, Sidewalk Labs announced the shuddering of their ambitious plan to develop the eastern Waterfront lands into a high-tech, high-rise haven. The company co-founder Dan Doctoroff made the announcement, citing “uncertain economic times” and “Toronto’s distressed real estate market” as the apparent cause. However, despite the damper, the Coronavirus lockdown has had on the economy, real estate experts expect the housing market to recover once it ends. Toronto continues to be among one of the most sought after markets in North America, shooting home values skyward. Which begs the question, is COVID-19 truly to blame for this project failure to launch? Or is there more than what meets the eye?
The once in a lifetime concept brought forth by Sidewalk Labs, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., and in turn owned by tech juggernaut Google, was praised by some while scorned by others, making international headlines. The concept was to turn a 77-hectare parcel of land east of Parliament Street into a futuristic haven where residents could thrive with nature, civic life, shopping, employment, and transportation. The “Idea District” which would be the site of two new green enclaves – Quayside and River District. Generating 44,000+ jobs and $14.2 Billion annually to the economy, as well as serving as test grounds for future automated developments said the company’s website. So what’s the catch?
The so called “smart urban technology” would collect and compile data about the everyday patterns of residents. Temperature sensors, self-illumined roadways, adaptable building modules, among other space-aged technology were to be employed. The “Open Digital Infrastructure” would provide a base where data and information collected would be use to improve the quality of life for residents. Bridging the gap between man and machine. But is this a bridge we’re ready to cross? Some would respond in the affirmative.
Community relations could be enhanced. The plan included tree lined roadways meant for cyclists, ride-sharing, pedestrians, and one day driverless vehicles. Street level shopping in buildings that could change models and function depending on the need. Allowing citizens to reclaim street space for parks, gardens, and community events, something rare in the city core. Shared communal infrastructure would allow residents to stage events or gatherings, and rent equipment. The new Canadian headquarters of Google were to be built in the River District, also housing the Urban Innovation Institute and $10 million dollar investment that aims to support new enterprises and start-ups.
The project would put Toronto on the map and attract worldwide talent to the city, said the company. With 40% of residential units at or below market price housing would be a win for poverty advocates. A climate positive commitment to cut greenhouse gases by 89% was also a claim made.
Google was living in a fool’s paradise. Many community groups, forums, and advocated voiced concerns over the project. One such group is the “Tech Reset Canada” and its “Toronto Open Smart Cities” forum. The outlet founded by Dr. David Murakami and Bianca Wylie was aimed at advising the public on new developments and consulting for Waterfront Toronto. As a neutral panel of experts in different field they offered insight. As did local concerned citizens during Sidewalk’s “civic labs”, essentially town hall meetings to address concerns.
“What we’re trying to start is a dialogue that tries to establish what a more open and public kind of smart city infrastructure and policy would look like.” Said Murakami to The Toronto Star in a housing article. Murakami, who also teaches sociology at Queen’s University, made it clear that the group was not an opponent of the project. In fact the project was a step in the right direction and could set “a vison for how this could work in Toronto and elsewhere”. Other concerns included we’re Sidewalks manipulation, that according to an article by socialistproject.ca. Persuading politicians and coercing members of the Digital Strategy Advisory Committee into confidentiality agreements. Critics also argued it was unfair for the government to subsidize prime land – a Globe and mail article pegs it at $500-million in savings – for a tech giant to further profit from everyday Canadians. Then came the greatest concern, public surveillance and data collection.
Thousands of CCTVs would to be scattered through the streets, smart enough to unfurl an awning for shelter or know the temperature of any apartment unit. Even location and movement patterns would be collected. But Sidewalk Labs said it will use a “trusted process for responsible date use” that complies with existing Canadian privacy laws. While interpreting the data to enhance the daily life of residents, which is plausible, when we consider the trend of smart technology in our lives.
Artistic rendition of streetscape (Photo credit: CNBC.com)
In November of last year, Sidewalk Labs pitched their “Digital Innovation Appendix” to increase transparency about how partners would use and interpret the data from residents. No names would be disclosed, with “de-identification”, and Waterfront Toronto could take the upper hand on data surveillance. In fact, 144 of the 160 measures proposed by the document were endorsed, about 90 per cent. Opponents soon outnumbered proponents, with Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk warning the City Of Toronto to keep a close eye on Waterfront Toronto. Lysyk released a scathing review in 2018 in a report to the city, asking for the project to be “reassessed” and asked how appropriate it was for Waterfront Toronto to “act on their own” according to the report.
Bianca Wylie, also a co-founder of the watchdog group Toronto Open Smart Cities, had concerns over the technologies deployment and abuse of data. “The smart model itself” is unethical, it gives the corporation an opportunity to “exert influence on urban spaces and democratic government”. She also argued about the ethics of corporations profiting from the projects.
If COVID-19 hadn’t come knocking, the eastern waterfront would be slated for a high tech makeover. Launching extraordinary projects like this, however need careful consideration and strategic planning. With glass high-rise buildings towering across the city new home buyers are primed to try something new. It’s a disappointment to some, relief to others, but shoulder shrug to most. The eastern Waterfront is now open again for sale, likely to be swallowed by more condominiums. The “smart city” will remain in science fiction books, for now.
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