Working on behalf of Canadian regeneration agency, Waterfront Toronto, Steer Economic Development was commissioned to undertake an independent review and evaluation of the economic development aspects of Sidewalk Labs’ (a sister company of Google), proposals to create a world-leading urban innovation district, on Toronto’s flagship regeneration site, anchored by a proposed new site for Google’s Canadian HQ.
Sidewalk Labs were selected by Waterfront Toronto in 2017 through a competitive procurement process to develop a masterplan for innovation and development at a 12-acre site in the eastern waterfront of Toronto known as Quayside.
The Master Innovation & Development Plan (MIDP) published in June 2019, unveiled Sidewalk Labs’ plans for a proposed smart neighbourhood which focuses on the implementation of smart urban technologies, novel construction techniques, deployment of new mobility solutions and delivering economic development outcomes to support Waterfront Toronto’s objectives.