Google is building the city of the future in Toronto
This article is also available here in Spanish.

Google is building the city of the future in Toronto

My list

Author | Patricia M. LicerasFar from sticking to the Internet, the omnipresent Google is diversifying its activity by designing autonomous vehicles and conducting research on human health and longevity. Its activities have transformed it into a mega-corporation with different needs to those of practically any other large enterprise, which is why it is now immersed in the design and construction of cities. Alphabet, an umbrella company that includes both Google and other associated firms, is creating the first smart city in the world in Toronto (Canada).Specifically, it is doing so along its coastal district, a totally de-urbanised area covering 4.8 hectares and which, years ago, was a major industrial port.The truth is that Google’s idea is not new. The major attempts to create smart cities in North America date back to the 60s, when Walt Disney dreamt of the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT), a city of the future in Florida based on technology.This plan to create a leading model of urban life for the 21st century developed by Sidewalk Labs, Google’s subsidiary, seeks to provide technological solutions to improve the life of citizens and it includes two key areas. On the one hand, Quayside, along the Lake Ontario shoreline, which will accommodate houses, shops and offices and will house around 4,500 inhabitants, who will be able to access the estimated 3,900 jobs that will be created. Google will obviously be the first to open offices there. According to Alphabet’s estimates, the Quayside district will be completed by 2022, with the possibility of receiving the first inhabitants by the end of that same year. Then there is the river area, where five residential colonies are to be built.

Electric scooters and autonomous cars as a solution to mobility

Both districts are being designed under eco-friendly concepts. They will offer extensive green areas and eco-friendly means of transport, giving priority to pedestrians, cyclists and autonomous vehicle users, in order to reduce pollution. In fact, the idea is to cut greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere by 89%. It also plans to offer modular and wooden housing at rates that are 40% lower than market prices.But the main thing that characterises this futuristic city, the design of which has been 18 months in the making, is that it will be fully automated. It plans to offer methods of transport with automatic pilots, robots to collect waste, pavements that heat up by themselves to prevent the accumulation of snow and sensors that indicate when a park bench has to be repaired or if the air quality is suitable. It will also offer smart traffic lights that understand when pedestrians have priority or if a bike lane needs to provide access for pedestrians. And even a health system capable of informing citizens, based on different variables, when they need to visit the doctor.

Management based on big data

However, in order to become the most advanced city in the world at so many levels, mass data collection would be required by Alphabet, and this is the most controversial aspect of the project, raising concerns among future inhabitants about the loss of control over their privacy and of in fact being subjected to covert surveillance.It has already received its fair share of criticism and the Google subsidiary has undertaken to continue working with citizens to safeguard the protection of their data, seeking solutions to satisfy both parties. This give and take could delay or modify, if not hinder, Alphabet’s initial plans. A delicate matter and which will probably become even more controversial as cities begin to use big data to the fullest extent.Images | Sidewalk Labs

Related content

Recommended profiles for you

TS
Tarang Sukhatme
Aarvee Associates
Deputy General Manager
AF
Agung Fitrianto
NMC NSUP
Sub Professional Infrastructure for Water and Sanitation
AO
Abiola Olusola
Westan Homes and Smart Cities
Chief Executive Officer
Neşe Özçandır
Antalya Metropolitan Municipalty
H2020- MAtchUP Project Technical Assistance
AC
Adam Cottrell
Global Blu Minds
LN
LIOT Nicolas
Ville de Fleury-sur-Orne
Deputy Mayor in charge of Digital
NK
Nikol Kirova
IAAC
PhD Students // Masters Coordinator
MP
Mahesh Patil
VIT
Looking after Sales Management and Business Development
BK
Bipul Kumar
University of Petroleum and Energy studies
Student
RD
Ramadani Sekarajeng Daryono
Trisakti University
Student of Urban and Regional Planning
GG
Geraldine Geraldine
+Colonia
JJ
Jorge Jimenez
ICE
O&M buildings Manager
DE
Diaa El-Masry
Qatar Green Leaders
General Manager
TS
Toni Sanchez Poyato
Schneider Electric
Business Development Smart Buildings
RV
Rafael Vasquez
March Architects Inc
BIM Manager
AT
Anat Tocker Alpert
consultant
consultant
SZ
Sabrina Zuniga Rossetti
Bocacalle
Somos un equipo de investigadores urbanos con visiones multidisciplinares.
PC
Paulo Carati
Nuevo Aguaribay S.A,
AL
Aurora Lopez
Ajuntament de Barcelona
Coordinadora de projectes estratègics
JS
Juan Santiago Leon
Itys
Sales engineer