A unit of Google’s parent company, devoted to urban innovation, has signed a deal to map out a new kind of neighbourhood on Toronto’s waterfront that could demonstrate how data-driven technology can improve the quality of city life. On Tuesday, Sidewalk Labs, a division of Alphabet Inc., and the government agency Waterfront Toronto announced a partnership in which Sidewalk initially will invest $50-million (U.S.) in a year-long planning process for Quayside, a 12-acre district on the waterfront, and the company has signalled its intentions to pursue a much larger area. This is the first such project for Alphabet, and for Sidewalk Labs.

Source: Toronto Globe and Mail

Date: December 21st, 2017

Link: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/google-sidewalk-toronto-waterfront/article36612387/

Discussion

1) Why is Google involved in projects like this?  How does it benefit?

2) Does it make sense for cities to partner with tech companies on infrastructure projects?