Master Plan for Quayside 'Smart City' Released by Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto

The long-awaited master plan for Quayside in Toronto was released to the public today.

1 minute read

June 24, 2019, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Toronto Waterfront

Current conditions in Quayside, a 12-acre parcel targeted for a smart city makeover by Google sister company Sidewalk Labs. | JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock

"Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto are set Monday to publicly release Sidewalk’s proposed master plan, a massive blueprint detailing precisely how the firm intends to create a tech-driven neighbourhood on Toronto’s waterfront," reports Donovan Vincent.

"Manhattan-based Sidewalk Labs, an urban innovation firm that is a sister company of Google, wants to turn [a 12-acre parcel of land called Quayside] into a 'test bed' or 'beta site' that would feature a mixed-use development consisting primarily of thousands of new residential units, as well as retail and office spaces," explains Vincent for background on the project, and its lofty ambitions.

The "Master Innovation and Development Plan" is separated into three volumes: 1) The Plans, 2) The Urban Onnovations, and 3) The Partnership. Chapters in Volume 2 read 1) Mobility, 2) Public Realm, 3) Buildings and Housing, 4) Sustainability, and 5) Digital Innovation. Individual chapters are split into separate, large downloads.

The master plan, available on the Waterfront Toronto website, spent 18 months in development, but now the process shifts to what is expected to be a lengthy period of public engagement and official review by city staff. As noted by Vincent, the project has already proven "enormously controversial."

Monday, June 24, 2019 in Toronto Star

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Silhouette of man holding on to back of bicycle ridden by woman with Eiffel Tower in background.

Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution

The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.

April 14 - Momentum Magazine

Multifamily housing under construction.

Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas

Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.

April 14 - San Francisco Chronicle

Western coyote looking at camera in grassy field.

San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes

San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.

April 14 - Fox 5