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Visual diary #7 | SIDEWALKLABS

Sidewalk Labs is a group within Alphabet that exists to solve a singular problem: to reimagine how cities can improve quality of life. Sidewalk Labs is a pilot program within Google that has partnered with the city of Toronto to explore new ideas around leveraging technology within cities. This group believes that technology has more to offer in terms of how we plan, structure, and build our cities. They are using this opportunity to test assumptions in an attempt to inspire and lead other cities around the world.

This isn't just a concept either. Sidewalk Labs will be designing a singular district in Toronto's Eastern Waterfront. Sidewalk Labs is exploring the following topics (and more!), as part of their search for the most human-centered city plan:

Sustainability. How can a cities infrastructure adapt to its surroundings and reuse energy to create a truly "climate-positive neighborhood."

People first. Parks and public areas should be more accessible, safe, and comfortable. Sidewalk Labs is investigating ways to leverage emerging technologies to ensure their model makes the best use of existing infrastructures.

Communities. Take a holistic approach to social services to ensure all people have what they need at an affordable price.

Digital transformation. Technology has come a long way since most of our cities were built. How can we leverage the tremendous progress we have made to address the mounting problems our cities are facing?

I think Alphabet is a design leader, utilizing this group to explore huge problems that will face future generations. They weren’t assigned or commissioned to take this on. They saw the problem and realized they had the potential to offer a solution. That responsibility and self-awareness are the traits of a design leader.

References:

Bliss, Laura (2019, Feb 25). Critics Vow to Block Sidewalk Labs' Controversial Smart City in Toronto. [Weblog post] Retrieved from https://www.citylab.com/equity/2019/02/block-sidewalk-labs-quayside-toronto-smart-city-resistance/583477/

Sidewalk Labs. https://www.sidewalklabs.com/