Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
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Re: Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
#2“To bet the farm on technology that redesigns our entire streets and relies on apps and sensors doesn’t really jive with how human beings actually use public spaces – and how they want to live in cities.”
Re: Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
#3All this talk about the area and no mention that the land in that area is full of toxic pollution from decades of industrial abuse.
Re: Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
#4“We’re often easily distracted by the idea of something new and flashy, but then we learn it’s quite hard to deliver on those promises”
From one new and flashy fad to the next. In 10 years, when this plan fails, they will point out that they “learn it’s quite hard to deliver on those promises”:
“Instead, the new plan centres on affordability, low-carbon design and an emphasis on local and minority-owned businesses.”
Re: Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
#5Toronto has a history of planning to do something with its waterfront (Port Lands / Quayside etc), and then never enacting those plans due to short-term politics vs actual vision. This is just more of the same.
This article is reading far too much into Google. I suppose it is the trend to get eyeballs by hating on tech giants.
Enjoy this article about a monorail - from 2011. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-mayor-unveils...
Re: Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
#6“To bet the farm on technology that redesigns our entire streets and relies on apps and sensors doesn’t really jive with how human beings actually use public spaces – and how they want to live in cities.”
I'd take issue with "betting the farm". Toronto proper is, per Wikipedia 243.32 sq mi, and the land in question totals 12 acres. Granted, Google may not have been the best partner but foregoing the opportunity to build a technology centered city seems like a lost chance to determine whether or not that particular form of architecture is viable - not only for Toronto for other cities as well. A fear of failure and a fear to experiment will end up limiting future horizons.
Re: Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
#7All this talk about the area and no mention that the land in that area is full of toxic pollution from decades of industrial abuse.
Which is Waterfront Toronto’s actual mandate, clean up the land, build the infrastructure, sell it to developers aligned to the vision. Instead they got all whimsical and got the idea in their heads that they are going to change the world. Fooled by the FAANG. They need to get back to their knitting, not become social justice eco-warriors. Otherwise this whole project will fail and we will end up with a damned casino with a monorail.
Re: Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
#8Toronto has a history of planning to do something with its waterfront (Port Lands / Quayside etc), and then never enacting those plans due to short-term politics vs actual vision. This is just more of the same. This article is reading far too much into Google. I suppose it is the trend to get eyeballs by hating on tech giants. Enjoy this article about a monorail - from 2011. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tor…
> Toronto has a history of planning to do something with its waterfront (Port Lands / Quayside etc)
Besides the fact that a brand new island is being built:
* https://portlandsto.ca/construction/
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villiers_Island
> Enjoy this article about a monorail - from 2011.
How many people took Doug Ford seriously about anything?
Re: Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
#9All this talk about the area and no mention that the land in that area is full of toxic pollution from decades of industrial abuse.
Which is Waterfront Toronto’s actual mandate, clean up the land, build the infrastructure, sell it to developers aligned to the vision. Instead they got all whimsical and got the idea in their heads that they are going to change the world. Fooled by the FAANG. They need to get back to their knitting, not become social justice eco-warriors. Otherwise this whole project will fail and we will end up with a damned casino…
Yes, but failing upwards is what social justice eco-warriors do best. Just look at every city they have managed for more than a decade.
Re: Toronto swaps Google-backed, not-so-smart city plans for people-centred vision
#10“To bet the farm on technology that redesigns our entire streets and relies on apps and sensors doesn’t really jive with how human beings actually use public spaces – and how they want to live in cities.”
I'd take issue with "betting the farm". Toronto proper is, per Wikipedia 243.32 sq mi, and the land in question totals 12 acres. Granted, Google may not have been the best partner but foregoing the opportunity to build a technology centered city seems like a lost chance to determine whether or not that particular form of architecture is viable - not only for Toronto for other cities as well. A fear of failure and a f…
> Google may not have been the best partner
After how they acted in New York City, I can't believe any city would even pick up their calls.