{"id":107810,"date":"2018-11-29T18:08:07","date_gmt":"2018-11-29T23:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techvibes.com\/?p=107810"},"modified":"2018-11-30T10:03:32","modified_gmt":"2018-11-30T15:03:32","slug":"this-is-what-torontos-neighbourhood-of-the-future-looks-like","status":"publish","type":"magazine","link":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/magazine\/this-is-what-torontos-neighbourhood-of-the-future-looks-like","title":{"rendered":"This is What Toronto’s Neighbourhood of the Future Looks Like"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sidewalk Labs’ Quayside project in Toronto has been nothing short of controversial. Questions surrounding housing affordability, data ownership, and digital privacy have swirled since the project\u00a0was first announced<\/a>, but a new site plan\u00a0is looking to answer some of those questions\u2014though, in the long run, it may end up raising even more concerns.<\/p>\n

The Google-owned Sidewalk Labs today unveiled a site preview of their futuristic\u00a0neighbourhood\u00a0with a goal to “combine world-class urban design with cutting-edge technology to set new standards for sustainability, affordability, and economic opportunity for Torontonians of all incomes, abilities, and ages.” This plan is being announced in advance of a December 8 public roundtable where citizens will be able to ask questions to the organizations involved, such as Waterfront Toronto and Sidewalk Labs themselves.<\/p>\n

Priorities listed on the site plan include job creation, affordable housing, and being climate positive, so Sidewalk Labs is hoping to address many of the existing concerns in one fell swoop here.<\/p>\n

“A lot of care and attention has gone into making this new community something all of us can be proud of and look forward to living in. And so no \u2026 it\u2019s not\u00a0the Jetsons<\/em>\u00a0\u2026 but something much better, because this is going to be a real place and community,” wrote\u00a0Jesse Shapins, the director of public realm at Sidewalk Labs.<\/p>\n

\"quayside\"<\/p>\n

There is a distinct plan laid out within the proposal that involves building “people-first” streets and walkways, along with several parks and public spaces. In terms of actual construction, a dozen new buildings will be built, ranging from 30 storeys to three. A distinct mix of retail, residential and office space is touted, and\u00a0the new buildings will house 3,900 new jobs, 3,400 of which are office jobs. Google Canada has already pledged to move their headquarters to Quayside, but it is unclear if other companies have been in discussions with Sidewalk Labs.<\/p>\n

In total, the buildings within Quayside would total 3.3 million square feet and be home to 5,000 residents occupying 2,500 units,\u00a0with a ratio of 55\u00a0per cent\u00a0rental and 45 per cent owned. Sidewalk Labs has not clarified if it would be the owner of these rental units themselves, or if they would contract them out to other property companies.<\/p>\n

One of the more pressing issues of affordability was also addressed by Sidewalk Labs. According to the plan, 20\u00a0per cent\u00a0of housing will be affordable, and 40\u00a0per cent\u00a0will be below-market housing, meaning it is for low- and middle-income residents.<\/p>\n

Sidewalk\u00a0Toronto is also introducing something called Stoa, a ground floor strategy of open-air space that encourages community between retailers, residents\u00a0and\u00a0companies. Quayside will also be using\u00a0mass timber, even to build the 30-story building. This would be the largest use of engineered wood in the world.<\/p>\n

In total, Sidewalk Toronto is hoping to aim for between a 75 and 85 per cent\u00a0reduction in greenhouse emissions through various uses of smart manufacturing, water control\u00a0and\u00a0sensor technology. Check out some of the other\u00a0smart upgrades Quayside intends to feature below:<\/p>\n