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Google Sibling Abandons Ambitious City of the Future in Toronto Google Sibling Abandons Ambitious City of the Future in Toronto
(about 16 hours later)
OTTAWA — Citing the economic turmoil from the coronavirus pandemic, a corporate sibling of Google said on Thursday that it had abandoned ambitious plans to create a sensor-laden, data driven “city of tomorrow” out of a shabby district along Toronto’s Lake Ontario shoreline.OTTAWA — Citing the economic turmoil from the coronavirus pandemic, a corporate sibling of Google said on Thursday that it had abandoned ambitious plans to create a sensor-laden, data driven “city of tomorrow” out of a shabby district along Toronto’s Lake Ontario shoreline.
“It has become too difficult to make the 12-acre project financially viable without sacrificing core parts of the plan we had developed together with Waterfront Toronto to build a truly inclusive, sustainable community,” Dan Doctoroff, the chief executive of the corporate sibling, Sidewalk Labs, wrote in a blog post.“It has become too difficult to make the 12-acre project financially viable without sacrificing core parts of the plan we had developed together with Waterfront Toronto to build a truly inclusive, sustainable community,” Dan Doctoroff, the chief executive of the corporate sibling, Sidewalk Labs, wrote in a blog post.
Sidewalk, and Mr. Doctoroff in particular, had vigorously pushed back against opposition to the plan since it was first unveiled nearly three years ago with Waterfront Toronto, the government agency in charge of the project, one of North America’s largest efforts at urban revitalization.Sidewalk, and Mr. Doctoroff in particular, had vigorously pushed back against opposition to the plan since it was first unveiled nearly three years ago with Waterfront Toronto, the government agency in charge of the project, one of North America’s largest efforts at urban revitalization.
But the struggle quickly became a public-relations debacle for Alphabet Inc., the technology conglomerate that is the parent company of Sidewalk and Google.But the struggle quickly became a public-relations debacle for Alphabet Inc., the technology conglomerate that is the parent company of Sidewalk and Google.
What Sidewalk presented as a community of unsurpassed environmental standards and a new approach to urban design was swiftly characterized as a dystopian surveillance city by many people in the technology world.What Sidewalk presented as a community of unsurpassed environmental standards and a new approach to urban design was swiftly characterized as a dystopian surveillance city by many people in the technology world.
Urban activists also said the project would turn over critical decision making about the city to Google’s algorithms, when citizens and politicians should rightly make those choices.Urban activists also said the project would turn over critical decision making about the city to Google’s algorithms, when citizens and politicians should rightly make those choices.
On Thursday, many critics of the plan suggested that opposition to the project and its diminished viability, not the pandemic, lay behind the decision by Sidewalk to quit before Waterfront Toronto made its final decision on whether to go ahead with the plan in late June.On Thursday, many critics of the plan suggested that opposition to the project and its diminished viability, not the pandemic, lay behind the decision by Sidewalk to quit before Waterfront Toronto made its final decision on whether to go ahead with the plan in late June.
“This is a big step back for surveillance capitalism and a victory for making technology serve society rather than capture it,” said Jim Balsillie, the former co-chief executive of BlackBerry and one of the prominent critics of the plan. “Google learned that Canadians can’t be easily bullied.”“This is a big step back for surveillance capitalism and a victory for making technology serve society rather than capture it,” said Jim Balsillie, the former co-chief executive of BlackBerry and one of the prominent critics of the plan. “Google learned that Canadians can’t be easily bullied.”
The company seemed to undermine its cause at times. Waterfront Toronto initially asked Sidewalk to present a proposal for 12 acres as a demonstration of what it would do.The company seemed to undermine its cause at times. Waterfront Toronto initially asked Sidewalk to present a proposal for 12 acres as a demonstration of what it would do.
But instead the company released a detailed concept last year for much of 800 acres, mostly owned by the federal government, adjacent to the smaller site. The larger tract is the largest undeveloped property in downtown Toronto.But instead the company released a detailed concept last year for much of 800 acres, mostly owned by the federal government, adjacent to the smaller site. The larger tract is the largest undeveloped property in downtown Toronto.
“The presentation of a project on a scale so much bigger than the demonstration site did not go over well in Toronto,” said Shoshanna Saxe, an assistant professor in the University of Toronto’s department of civil and mineral engineering who studies municipal infrastructure and development. “It was a go big or go home version of the project.”“The presentation of a project on a scale so much bigger than the demonstration site did not go over well in Toronto,” said Shoshanna Saxe, an assistant professor in the University of Toronto’s department of civil and mineral engineering who studies municipal infrastructure and development. “It was a go big or go home version of the project.”
In the company’s vision for Toronto, high-rises made from engineered wood would have filled what are now weed lots and underused warehouses along streets. Its bike paths would melt snow.In the company’s vision for Toronto, high-rises made from engineered wood would have filled what are now weed lots and underused warehouses along streets. Its bike paths would melt snow.
Pedestrians would be sheltered from rain, snow and blazing heat by giant, automated awnings. Sensors would track residents’ every movement to optimize everything from traffic signals to underground armies of robots delivering parcels and discarding trash.Pedestrians would be sheltered from rain, snow and blazing heat by giant, automated awnings. Sensors would track residents’ every movement to optimize everything from traffic signals to underground armies of robots delivering parcels and discarding trash.
Critics denounced it as an effort to extend what they called Google’s all-seeing eye on the online world into the physical one. And there were immediate concerns about the ownership of the data harvested by the developer and the privacy issues created, which Sidewalk was never able to fully quell despite repeated concessions.Critics denounced it as an effort to extend what they called Google’s all-seeing eye on the online world into the physical one. And there were immediate concerns about the ownership of the data harvested by the developer and the privacy issues created, which Sidewalk was never able to fully quell despite repeated concessions.
At one point, Sidewalk backed away from a proposal to receive a cut of future property taxes from the neighborhood in exchange for building a rail transit line.At one point, Sidewalk backed away from a proposal to receive a cut of future property taxes from the neighborhood in exchange for building a rail transit line.
Ultimately Waterfront Toronto ordered Sidewalk to come back with a plan focused only on the initial 12 acres. The company acknowledged that the reduced scale would force it to abandon many of its ambitions.Ultimately Waterfront Toronto ordered Sidewalk to come back with a plan focused only on the initial 12 acres. The company acknowledged that the reduced scale would force it to abandon many of its ambitions.
In a statement, Waterfront Toronto said that while it was disappointed by Sidewalk’s decision, the move does not reflect the potential of the city’s economy and real estate.In a statement, Waterfront Toronto said that while it was disappointed by Sidewalk’s decision, the move does not reflect the potential of the city’s economy and real estate.
“Today there is global financial uncertainty but Waterfront Toronto has confidence in the city’s economic future, and will take the long view when making real estate and development decisions on Toronto’s waterfront,” the agency said.“Today there is global financial uncertainty but Waterfront Toronto has confidence in the city’s economic future, and will take the long view when making real estate and development decisions on Toronto’s waterfront,” the agency said.
John Tory, Toronto’s mayor, also dismissed the idea that the cancellation was a vote of nonconfidence in the city’s future — and said the city was still committed to developing the property.John Tory, Toronto’s mayor, also dismissed the idea that the cancellation was a vote of nonconfidence in the city’s future — and said the city was still committed to developing the property.
“Toronto’s economy will come back strong after Covid-19 and we will continue to be a magnet for smart people and smart companies,” he said in a statement.“Toronto’s economy will come back strong after Covid-19 and we will continue to be a magnet for smart people and smart companies,” he said in a statement.
Led by Mr. Doctoroff, the former president and chief executive of Bloomberg L.P., and the former deputy mayor of New York under Michael R. Bloomberg, Sidewalk and its Toronto plan were seen as a vanity projects for Alphabet.Led by Mr. Doctoroff, the former president and chief executive of Bloomberg L.P., and the former deputy mayor of New York under Michael R. Bloomberg, Sidewalk and its Toronto plan were seen as a vanity projects for Alphabet.
After Google restructured into a holding company in 2015, Sidewalk became one of the first Alphabet companies — a laundry list of the company’s technologically ambitious but financially dubious bets.After Google restructured into a holding company in 2015, Sidewalk became one of the first Alphabet companies — a laundry list of the company’s technologically ambitious but financially dubious bets.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
It was one of several side projects once championed by Larry Page, who stepped down as chief executive of Alphabet last December.It was one of several side projects once championed by Larry Page, who stepped down as chief executive of Alphabet last December.
While the Toronto project offers the type of futuristic vision that Alphabet loves to promote, it was never expected to be a significant moneymaker for the technology giant, which still derives the lion’s share of its profit from advertising.While the Toronto project offers the type of futuristic vision that Alphabet loves to promote, it was never expected to be a significant moneymaker for the technology giant, which still derives the lion’s share of its profit from advertising.
Toronto was the first and, to date, only city to welcome a Sidewalk project. When it unveiled its sweeping plan last year for the 800 acres, Sidewalk, which has about 30 employees in Toronto, said it had spent $50 million on the project.Toronto was the first and, to date, only city to welcome a Sidewalk project. When it unveiled its sweeping plan last year for the 800 acres, Sidewalk, which has about 30 employees in Toronto, said it had spent $50 million on the project.
Last month, Alphabet warned investors about a slump in advertising as businesses pull back spending because of the coronavirus pandemic. Sundar Pichai, Alphabet’s chief executive, said the company would be more “thoughtful” about spending and suggested there would be some cutbacks on investments.Last month, Alphabet warned investors about a slump in advertising as businesses pull back spending because of the coronavirus pandemic. Sundar Pichai, Alphabet’s chief executive, said the company would be more “thoughtful” about spending and suggested there would be some cutbacks on investments.
The Toronto project’s collapse underscores the deep suspicion that Alphabet and Google face in rolling out new technology initiatives. The concerns about Alphabet raised in Toronto over privacy and corporate control echoed many of those expressed by lawmakers and regulators around the world about the company’s other operations.The Toronto project’s collapse underscores the deep suspicion that Alphabet and Google face in rolling out new technology initiatives. The concerns about Alphabet raised in Toronto over privacy and corporate control echoed many of those expressed by lawmakers and regulators around the world about the company’s other operations.
Professor Saxe said that Toronto’s suspicious attitude toward the project does not mean that data cannot help shape and improve cities. But she said the company was promising something it could not deliver.Professor Saxe said that Toronto’s suspicious attitude toward the project does not mean that data cannot help shape and improve cities. But she said the company was promising something it could not deliver.
“The idea of building a city from the internet up always seemed like a bad one,” she said. “A lot of the problems we’re facing in cities are hard and entrenched and difficult to deal with. We should be very skeptical of anything that sells us an easy, cheap solution using a newfangled technology gadget.”“The idea of building a city from the internet up always seemed like a bad one,” she said. “A lot of the problems we’re facing in cities are hard and entrenched and difficult to deal with. We should be very skeptical of anything that sells us an easy, cheap solution using a newfangled technology gadget.”
Ian Austen reported from Ottawa and Daisuke Wakabayashi from Oakland, Calif.Ian Austen reported from Ottawa and Daisuke Wakabayashi from Oakland, Calif.