Discussion Guide 1. Overview - Quayside
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Discussion Guide
Waterfront Toronto’s MIDP Evaluation Consultation
February 2020, Round 2
1. Overview
Waterfront Toronto has a mandate to revitalize On October 31, 2019, Waterfront Toronto and
Toronto’s waterfront. One of our current projects Sidewalk Labs resolved the threshold issues
is Quayside, a 12-acre parcel of land that sits and agreed on distinct roles for the parties,
beside the lake at the foot of Parliament Street. should the project proceed:
Almost three years ago we undertook a • Waterfront Toronto will be responsible for
procurement process to find an Innovation and leading all aspects of data governance and
Funding Partner to help us think through privacy for the project, including related
something special for this site – something that discussions with the appropriate
could set precedents for building affordable, governmental authorities; as well as design,
sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous funding, and delivery of all public realm and
communities. We selected Sidewalk Labs as that public infrastructure.
partner. Sidewalk Labs is a subsidiary of Alphabet
Inc. and a sister-company of Google. • Sidewalk Labs will be responsible for
design, funding, and delivery of advanced
In June of last year, Sidewalk Labs submitted its infrastructure systems and buildings (with
Draft Master Innovation and Development Plan local development partner(s)) and privately-
(MIDP) to Waterfront Toronto for review. owned public spaces (such as the internal
Feedback from public consultations in July 2019 pedestrian lanes).
and from the Waterfront Toronto Board identified
several threshold issues that would need to be Since that time, Waterfront Toronto has
resolved between Waterfront Toronto and undertaken a technical evaluation of Sidewalk
Sidewalk Labs if the MIDP was going to be Labs’ proposals.
evaluated, including (but not limited to):
This Discussion Guide provides the results of
• Focusing on the 12-acre project boundary; that technical evaluation and key
• Agreement to use existing democratically considerations that will inform Waterfront
accountable legislative and regulatory bodies; Toronto’s May 20th Board decision on whether
• Agreement to adhere to all current and future to move forward with this proposal and partner
Canadian privacy and data protection laws, with Sidewalk Labs and, if so, how.
regulations, and Waterfront Toronto’s Digital
Principles; and Additional details accompany all elements of
• Agreement that Sidewalk Labs would pay fair the process to date, including letters from
market value for the lands (estimated at Waterfront Toronto, Sidewalk Labs, public
approximately $590 million). meeting reports, as well as the presentations,
display boards, and other materials shared
during the public consultation process. All of
these are available at www.QuaysideTO.ca.
See page 2 for more details on what’s inside Page 1 of 16
2. Solving urban challenges
From day one, almost 20 years ago, Waterfront Toronto
What’s Inside has been dedicated to serving the needs of Toronto. Every
step we have taken, and every project we have delivered,
1. Overview ........................................... 1
has focused on enhancing the economic, social, and
2. Solving urban challenges ................. 2 cultural value of the waterfront, and creating an accessible
3. Where we are today.......................... 3 and active waterfront for all. The same is true for Quayside,
but with this project we aimed to go even further.
4. Evaluating the MIDP ......................... 5
5. Technical evaluation results............ 7 Toronto is thriving as a city in many ways; however, we are
also facing serious challenges like the affordability of
6. Digging deeper on digital ................. 10 housing, our ability to meet greenhouse gas emission
7. Digging deeper on the partnership .. 12 targets, social isolation, an aging population, road
congestion and trauma caused by vehicular accidents, the
8. Proposed Waterfront Toronto growing income gap, and aging infrastructure are some of
investment ........................................ 14 the major items that must be addressed.
9. Next steps ......................................... 15
With a long list of competing needs and a limited public
10. We want to hear from you ............... 15 purse, Waterfront Toronto conceived of this 12-acre
Quayside project as a place to test imaginative solutions to
the urban challenges of today, and to set a new global
Attachments standard for tomorrow. Our task now is to see if the
Attachment 1 - Sustainability, Resilience proposal submitted by Sidewalk Labs addresses these
and Climate Positive challenges and improves quality of life in Toronto.
Attachment 2 - Complete Communities Public feedback provided to Waterfront Toronto to date
and Inclusivity has revealed both strong support and strong opposition to
Attachment 3 - Economic Development moving forward with Sidewalk Labs on the Quayside
Job Creation project. In addition to these two voices, there has also been
a strong voice from many participating in the public
Attachment 4 - New Mobility process who have expressed a “cautious maybe” to the
Attachment 5 - List of all proposed prospect of moving forward, noting that, if the project
solutions moves forward, it must be on terms that work for Toronto.
Consider that:
• Cities now account for over 70% of greenhouse gas
emissions and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of
climate change, such as flooding, fires, and extreme weather
• Toronto has a housing crisis with an affordable housing
waitlist of more than 100,000 households
• In Toronto, six people are hit by a car every day, and the
death rates are climbing; over half of road fatalities are
people aged 55+
• The nature of employment is changing quickly, and there’s a
demand for future-oriented jobs
The fastest growing age group in Toronto is over 90 years of
age (42% growth over past 5 years)
Page 2 of 16
3. Where we are today
There is the potential for an exciting project at Quayside that delivers
extraordinary outcomes. Here are the key questions we’re considering and
the answers that are emerging:
• Do the solutions proposed raise the bar on meeting urban challenges?
Yes, they do. Of the 160 solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs in the
MIDP (as amended by the resolution of the threshold issues), 144 meet
Waterfront Toronto’s objectives and merit being considered for inclusion
in the Innovation Plan for Quayside.
• Does the development plan align with the East Bayfront and Keating
Channel Precinct Plans? Yes, the proposed development plan concept
for the Quayside site meets the principles of the East Bayfront and
Keating Channel Precinct Plans. If the project moves forward, it will be
subject to the statutory development application process, and
implementation details will be resolved through consultation with the City
of Toronto.
• Are we taking a comprehensive approach to managing data collection
and use? Yes, all solutions will comply with existing and future
legislation, regulation, and standards as well as Waterfront Toronto’s
Digital Principles and emerging Intelligent Community Guidelines. In
addition, Waterfront Toronto’s Digital Strategy Advisory Panel (DSAP) is
actively advising Waterfront Toronto on these matters.
In addition to seeking public feedback on the evaluation results, Waterfront
Toronto’s work now focuses on a potential partnership with Sidewalk Labs in
bringing Quayside to reality. Questions we’re striving to answer include:
• Does Waterfront Toronto have sufficient controls in place to address the
risks associated with the implementation of this project and partner,
given the novelty of some of the proposed solutions? The answer to this
question is a work-in-progress and is subject to commercial negotiations
with Sidewalk Labs. Waterfront Toronto will only undertake the project if
confident that adequate controls are in place
For clarity, Waterfront Toronto will lead design and implementation of all
public spaces such as rights-of-way, streets and parks, in addition to the
site’s municipal infrastructure.
A pre-condition will be to have contractual requirements that address
things like the costs and liabilities should solutions fail, project delays
due to regulatory barriers, and controls that manage risk to Waterfront
Toronto and the public should there be a change in the relationship
between Sidewalk Labs and Alphabet. The preliminary Human Rights
Impact Assessment (pHRIA) that Waterfront Toronto is currently
undertaking will also identify potential risks, as well as mitigating
measures, and will inform negotiations regarding controls.
Page 3 of 16
• Is Sidewalk Labs contributing enough to make the project work? Again,
the answer here is a work in progress. Discussions are now underway
between Waterfront Toronto and Sidewalk Labs to determine if the
project is financially viable on the 12 acres of Quayside. Agreement on
the commercial terms between Sidewalk Labs/Alphabet and Waterfront
Toronto will be critical to answering this question. In addition,
Waterfront Toronto is currently in discussions with Sidewalk Labs to
determine its financial commitment to the project, but it is anticipated
that the private sector investment would be significantly more than the
public sector investment.
• Is the proposed public investment in the solutions appropriate?
Responsibility for funding the vast majority of solutions at Quayside lies
with the private sector, including Sidewalk Labs (and possibly other
partners), to invest in advanced infrastructure and innovations. Of the
144 solutions supported by Waterfront Toronto through the evaluation,
11 were identified as most important for Waterfront Toronto to help
support and invest in given the public benefit they could deliver. As a
result, should Sidewalk Labs not be able to fund all or some of the cost
of these 11 solutions, Waterfront Toronto would consider dedicating
some proceeds from the sale of Quayside lands to encourage their
implementation.
In addition, there were 24 solutions identified for Waterfront Toronto to
advocate for government partners to support and fund due to their
alignment with current public policy objectives, and 17 solutions where
Waterfront Toronto would be willing to advocate for regulatory
modernization to enable and accelerate the safe and legal introduction
of novel solutions that deliver public benefit.
“It is Waterfront Toronto’s responsibility to act in the public interest. We take this
responsibility extremely seriously and we know that you are relying on us to fulfill it
rigorously. We are committed to working with all of you to do exactly that.”
Steve Diamond, Chair of the Board, Waterfront Toronto
Page 4 of 16
4. Evaluating the MIDP
Our first task: What did
Translating the MIDP into 160 solutions Waterfront
When the threshold issues were resolved, Waterfront
Toronto focused its efforts on translating the MIDP into a
Toronto evaluate?
list of distinct solutions. This task was done by reading Based on the resolution of the
every page of the MIDP, identifying all the solutions it threshold issues, Waterfront
contained, and ultimately aggregating one master list of Toronto evaluated a subset of the
solutions to be evaluated. ideas put forward by Sidewalk Labs
in the MIDP:
In total, 160 solutions were identified by Waterfront Toronto
(see full list of solutions attached).
Our next task:
Evaluating the 160 solutions
For Volume 1 (The Plans) only
Waterfront Toronto took a methodical approach to
proposals relevant to the 12 acres
evaluating the solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs. The of Quayside were evaluated;
work included:
For Volume 2 (The Urban
• Analyzing the effectiveness of each solution in Innovations) the solutions were
addressing to meeting pressing urban challenges evaluated against Waterfront
(project objectives); Toronto’s objectives when
• Assessing the issues, risks, and complexities related to implemented at the 12 acres of
solution implementation and viability; Quayside only; and
• Identifying trade-offs for public sector financial For Volume 3 (The Partnership) the
commitments, policy exemptions, regulatory reform; bulk of the material is no longer
and, applicable and was not evaluated.
• Considering feedback from the Waterfront Toronto
advisory panels (Design Review Panel, Digital Strategy
Advisory Panel) and the public. Digital Innovation
This work led to each solution being categorized based on
Appendix
its degree of effectiveness (low, medium, high) and by level Waterfront Toronto’s evaluation was
of implementation complexity (minor, moderate, major). also informed by the Digital
Other lenses were then applied to each of the 160 solutions Innovation Appendix (DIA)
to determine whether each solution: submitted by Sidewalk Labs in
November 2019, which provides
• Addresses one or multiple objectives; further information on the digital
• Is aligned with achieving a priority outcome; innovation proposals in the MIDP
• Leads to significant economic development impacts; and an overview of Sidewalk Labs’
• Facilitates a transformational or systemic impact approaches to responsible data use
versus an incremental impact; and inclusive design. Waterfront
• Is financially self-sustaining or requires ongoing public Toronto’s Digital Strategy Advisory
funding; and, Panel (DSAP) has reviewed the DIA
• Has the potential to benefit from the unique testbed in detail, and their report will also
opportunity and have potential for broader impacts. inform Waterfront Toronto’s
decision-making.
Page 5 of 16
Checking our work:
An Evaluation Committee was formed to review the results of the
evaluation and:
• Review the evaluation approach;
• Test the reasonableness of the results;
• Discuss and weigh issues associated with proposed solutions;
• Identify issues, risks, and conditions to be resolved with Sidewalk
Labs during negotiations; and,
• Determine whether further evaluation is required.
The members of the Evaluation Committee included:
• Stephen Beatty: Global Chairman, Infrastructure and Chairman,
Global Cities Center of Excellence, KPMG
• Mark Conway: President and Senior Partner, N. Barry Lyon
Consultants (NBLC)
• Meg Davis: Chief Development Officer, Waterfront Toronto
• David Kusturin: Chief Project Officer, Waterfront Toronto
• Sheldon Levy: Former President and Vice Chancellor, Ryerson
University, and former Deputy Minister of Training, Colleges and
Universities, Government of Ontario
• George Zegarac: Chief Executive Officer, Waterfront Toronto
Page 6 of 16
5. Technical Evaluation Results
The Evaluation Committee found that there is merit to advancing the Sidewalk Labs proposal
to the next stage. It observed that:
• Waterfront Toronto staff provided a thorough and objective analysis;
• There is potential in Sidewalk Labs’ proposals for Quayside to be the beginning of a bold
future on the waterfront; and
• Focus should also be placed on the cost of losing the opportunity this project presents as
well as on the risk of proceeding.
The Evaluation Committee also noted that it is reasonable that certain solutions proposed by
Sidewalk Labs are not feasible at the 12-acre scale of Quayside and that negotiations must take
place for Waterfront Toronto to ensure the solutions of greatest value move forward.
A closer look at proposed solutions
The technical evaluation revealed support for 144 of 160 solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs.
The solutions help address sustainability, mobility, the need to develop inclusive and complete
communities, and solutions that create jobs and economic prosperity. There are also solutions
that enable the creation of a responsible digital environment.
Waterfront Toronto categorized each of the 160 proposed solutions as follows:
• Support, include: Waterfront Toronto supports the inclusion of the solution – all onus for
funding and delivery rests with the private sector (92 solutions)
• Support, Policy/Regulatory Reform: Waterfront Toronto to advocate for policy changes and
regulatory reform to support the solution (17 solutions)
• Support, Government Funding: Waterfront Toronto to advocate for additional funding from
governments to support the solution (as/if required, in addition to private investment and/or
regulatory reform) (24 solutions)
• Support, Waterfront Toronto Investment: A one-time investment by Waterfront Toronto to
support the solution (as/if required, in addition to private investment and/or regulatory
reform) (11 solutions)
• Non-Support: Waterfront Toronto does not want the solution included in the project, and
therefore new solutions must be explored (16 solutions)
Highlights of the results of Waterfront Toronto’s evaluation are provided on the following pages.
More detail on which solutions address which challenges are included in the attachments.
Note that support for these solutions does not mean that Waterfront Toronto
has approved moving ahead with the project or a partnership with Sidewalk
Labs. Support for certain solutions may change based on feedback from the
public, support from Sidewalk Labs (who need to agree with Waterfront Toronto
on implementation terms), public policy priorities, and support from
governments.
Page 7 of 16
Sustainability, Resiliency, Complete Communities
and Climate Positive Canadians overwhelmingly prefer to live in
mixed-use neighbourhoods with a mix of
How do we build a more sustainable city in residential, retail and other amenities. So
the face of climate change? how do we build such complete
communities?
Of the 56 solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs,
Waterfront Toronto supports 49 of them because
Of the 69 solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs,
they have the potential to dramatically reduce
Waterfront Toronto supports 61 of them because
greenhouse gas emissions at Quayside, set a
they enhance public realm (like parks) and
new precedent for low-carbon urban
provide greater access to social services and
development, and put affordable climate-positive
high-quality community infrastructure. Should
development within reach.
we move forward, Waterfront Toronto will
continue working with Sidewalk Labs and
The private sector will lead the financing and
governments to ensure that our commitments to
delivery of most of these solutions, with
affordable housing are met or exceeded.
Waterfront Toronto advocating for regulatory
change and/or public investment in 23 solutions.
The private sector will lead the financing and
delivery of most of these solutions, with
Waterfront Toronto willing to advocate for
regulatory change and/or public investment in 17
solutions.
New Mobility Economic Development
How do we make it easier, more affordable, and Prosperity
and safer to get to and from (and around in)
Quayside? How do we create jobs and prosperity, and
support innovative new businesses?
Of the 32 solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs, Of the 25 solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs,
Waterfront Toronto supports 31 of them because Waterfront Toronto supports all of them because
they make walking and cycling easier and more they have the potential to generate economic
comfortable in all seasons and for people with benefits at a scale greater than traditional real
disabilities; optimize road uses using real time estate development projects, and positions
data; minimize delivery and waste collection Toronto and Canada to be world leaders in an
truck traffic; and, streamline transportation exploding urban innovation industry.
options while reducing costs.
The private sector will lead the financing and
The private sector will lead the financing and delivery of most of these solutions, with
delivery of most of these solutions, with Waterfront Toronto willing to advocate for
Waterfront Toronto advocating for regulatory regulatory change and/or public investment in 6
change and/or public investment in 19 solutions. solutions.
Page 8 of 16
Support for 144 of
the 160 proposed
solutions
Each of the dots shown here represents one
of the solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs
in the MIDP.
The five colours align with Waterfront
Toronto’s objectives, as follows:
Green for Sustainability (56 solutions
proposed)
Red for Mobility (32 solutions proposed)
Orange for Economic Development
(25 solutions proposed)
Purple for Complete Communities
(69 solutions proposed)
Blue for solutions that enable a Responsible
Digital Environment
(15 solutions proposed)
Note that some solutions help achieve more
than one objective, so the total number of
dots adds up to 197 (rather than 160).
The symbols on the dots represent which
category of support Waterfront Toronto
associates with the solutions.
• Support, Include (92)
• Support, Advocate for Policy/Regulatory
Change (17)
• Support, Advocate for Government
Funding (24)
• Support, Waterfront Toronto Investment
(11)
Looking for more details on the proposed solutions?
• Non-support (16) Checkout the attachments to this Discussion Guide which
go into more detail on the solutions. The attachments also
We have also identified which solutions are include the master list of all 160 solutions and the results of
digitally enabled the evaluation of each.
For more detail, see Waterfront Toronto’s Evaluation
• Digitally enabled solutions (59) Committee Report which is available at
www.QuaysideTO.ca.
Page 9 of 16
6. Digging deeper on digital
Waterfront Toronto has been What kind of data will be
working for years to create the
enabling conditions to establish a collected?
testbed for emerging technologies in
areas related to sustainability and In the Digital Innovation Appendix (DIA) Sidewalk Labs
urban innovation. A place where new stated that less than half of the digitally enabled solutions
ideas can be explored, tested, would collect data that may be considered personal
proven, and refined. Quayside could information.
be an example of this environment. Most digitally enabled solutions that Sidewalk Labs has
The solutions proposed by Sidewalk proposed for Quayside would measure information about
Labs include several that use the environment around them – things like traffic and
emerging technologies. We refer to weather – without collecting any information on
these solutions as being “digitally individuals.
enabled”.
For example, Sidewalk Labs has proposed Home Energy
What’s a digitally Schedulers that may use occupancy data to better manage
the thermostat, which would reduce energy consumption in
enabled solution? the building and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
Quayside.
Digitally enabled solutions collect,
process, and/or use data about the
physical environment around them Waterfront Toronto’s Digital
to improve urban interaction.
Of the 160 solutions proposed by
Principles
Sidewalk Labs, just over one third 1. Everyone will have the opportunity to access and
(59) have a digital component. benefit equally from digital solutions
For example, traffic lights today are 2. Digital solutions will be open, ethical, and resilient
programmed to change at intervals
3. Everyone will be able to understand how their data is
that match daytime and nighttime
being collected and used, and how organizations can
traffic patterns. When traffic lights
and will be held accountable for their practices
are digitally enabled, they can
receive real-time information about 4. Strong privacy protections will be in place at all times
exceptional activities and adapt
5. Data and systems will remain under local control and
accordingly. For example, if a person
be subject to local law
is crossing the street slowly, the
digitally enabled traffic lights can
hold traffic to give them more time
to cross.
City of Toronto’s Digital
A stormwater management system Infrastructure Plan
is another example. When digitally Any proposal submitted to the City prior to such time as
connected to a weather station, a the Digital Infrastructure Plan has been endorsed by City
stormwater system can Council must comply with all five of the Digital
automatically adjust release valves Infrastructure Plan Working Principles, in addition to all
when a big storm is forecast to existing policies, standards, and processes, as a condition
ensure that water storage tanks of approval of the proposal. For more information on the
have the capacity needed to store City of Toronto’s work on Digital Technologies, including
the water generated by heavy rains. the public consultation process, visit their project website:
All the digitally enabled solutions are toronto.ca/connectedcommunity.
in the attached master list of
solutions.
Page 10 of 16What’s a solution that enables Waterfront Toronto’s
digital? Digital Commitment
There are 15 “umbrella” solutions proposed by Sidewalk Waterfront Toronto requires that, if the
Labs to support the safe, reliable, and efficient collection project moves forward, all solutions
and distribution of data at Quayside. deployed will comply with all existing and
future legislative and regulatory
These include physical solutions such as:
requirements as well as its Digital Principles
• Super-PON (Passive Optical Network) to create a and emerging Intelligent Community
flexible fibre-optic network requiring less material, Guidelines. These measures ensure that
physical space and energy solutions must incorporate Privacy by
Design and will be subject to Privacy
• Koala standardized mounts to provide power and
Impact Assessments, Threat Risk
network connectivity to devices in the public realm
Assessments and Algorithmic Impact
• Software-defined networking to create a single secure Assessments.
network across Quayside The Intelligent Community Guidelines will be
Less tangible solutions and commitments propose by enforced by contract, similar to Waterfront
Sidewalk Labs: Toronto’s Minimum Green Building
Requirements (MGBRs).
• Data Collaboration Hub to enable responsible data
sharing
A focus on Privacy
• Patent pledge of Sidewalk Labs' digital innovations to
Waterfront Toronto is dedicated to ensuring
help enable growth of the Canadian innovation
the protection of privacy as part of any
ecosystem
project on Quayside. This commitment
• Common standards for digital systems and means:
technologies, and publication of a list of standards used
1. Any digital solution that collects
• Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for access personal information will be subject to,
to Sidewalk Labs data and/or services and must comply with, all applicable
current and future privacy laws;
• Open source publication of code to enable other
developers to build onto solutions 2. The privacy and digital governance
elements of each proposal will be
• Digital Transparency in the Public Realm as an subject to a further review process,
emerging standard that includes a sensor registry and which will include (but will not be
signage to inform people about data collection limited to) a full Privacy Impact
• A commitment not to sell personal information, use it Assessment;
for advertising, or share it without explicit consent 3. De-identification of personal data at
• Distributed verifiable credentials allows people to source, unless the collecting
independently prove a credential using the least organization has obtained consent – or,
possible information in the case of government,
demonstrated necessity – to store the
• Commitments to ensuring resilience and security for data in identifiable form.
digital systems and infrastructure through prevention,
detection, and rapid restoration 4. Waterfront Toronto’s Digital Strategy
Advisory Panel will continue to provide
A set of internal accountability mechanisms: peer review and advice to Waterfront
• Six Responsible Data Use Guidelines as an Toronto on digital proposals, and digital
enhancement to a standard Privacy Impact Assessment proposals may be required to go
through a public consultation process
• Six Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) Principles and approval by governments; and,
that will guide Sidewalk Labs’ use of AI
5. Sidewalk Labs will respect Waterfront
• Seven Digital Accessibility Principles to guide their Toronto’s Digital Principles and comply
design and ensure digital elements are accessible to all with its emerging Intelligent Community
Guidelines.
Page 11 of 167. Digging deeper on partnership
Building on a legacy of strong partnerships
Waterfront Toronto is a small, efficient, and action-oriented corporation that relies on
partnerships to achieve the ambitious revitalization objectives it was created to
deliver. Quayside is no different and demands no less than a partnership model that
provides a solid financial foundation, manages financial risk, and secures revenue to
fund future phases of waterfront revitalization.
Before selecting Sidewalk Labs as its Innovation and Funding Partner, Waterfront
Toronto conducted extensive due diligence. In addition, we have listened to the
cautions that the public has raised in consultations, such as: project and development
track record of Sidewalk Labs; the financial capacity of Sidewalk Labs; its corporate
structure; and its relationship to its parent and sibling companies.
Benefits of partnering with Sidewalk Labs
We are impressed with Sidewalk Labs’ access to talent and expertise, and its access
to resources. Its interest in Quayside alone has generated interest in the development
of lands around Quayside, elevated the relevance of urban innovation and sustainable
development in local and national discourse, created jobs and business for local
planning, architecture, and development firms and individuals, and amplified the public
conversation on digital issues. Sidewalk Labs’ recent partnership with the Ontario
Teachers’ Pension Plan in Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners is dedicated to investing in
North American advanced infrastructure – which could also help finance and
accelerate the development of advanced infrastructure on the site.
A successful project (with appropriate safeguards in place) could benefit the public,
governments, the local ecosystem, Waterfront Toronto, and Sidewalk Labs.
Page 12 of 16Managing partnership risks
A challenge with moving ahead on Quayside with a private sector partner,
like Sidewalk Labs, is accommodating the different objectives of the two
organizations. Waterfront Toronto is a public agency, accountable to
governments, with a mandate to serve the public interest. Sidewalk Labs is
a private company that needs to generate a financial return.
Any commitment by Waterfront Toronto to move forward will require
mitigations to:
• apportion and define liability (with clear definition of roles, requirements
for transparency and accountability, indemnities protecting Waterfront
Toronto and government, appropriate insurance, etc.);
• manage performance shortfalls or defaults (with audit rights,
termination rights, etc.); and
• back-stop contractual requirements (including performance guarantees,
financial securities like letters of credit and replacement reserves, etc.).
Waterfront Toronto must also consider the balance between conditions
needed to achieve project objectives and serve the public interest, and the
burden they create, which may result in requirements too onerous for
Sidewalk Labs or any partner to execute.
Addressing Human Rights Impacts
Waterfront Toronto has retained a team of experts to carry out an
independent preliminary human rights impact assessment (pHRIA) of the
MIDP. Its objectives are to:
• identify and assess potential human rights risks associated with the
MIDP;
• identify mitigations to address those risks; and
• highlight areas of the MIDP that warrant further investigation into the
potential adverse impacts on human rights.
The assessment is grounded in international best practices, in line with the
United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,
international human rights law and standards, the Declaration of Cities
Coalition for Digital Rights and Waterfront Toronto’s Digital Principles.
The pHRIA report, when complete, will be published on the Quayside
website. For more information go to www.QuaysideTO.ca.
Page 13 of 168. Proposed Waterfront
Toronto investment
Land within Quayside owned by Waterfront Toronto and the City of
Toronto is valued at approximately $590 million for as-of-right zoning
(as of October 2019).
As is the case with other Waterfront Toronto projects, Waterfront
Toronto will make investments to help achieve public policy
objectives, such as high-performance energy efficiency and more
affordable housing units. At Quayside, Waterfront Toronto is
contemplating using some of the proceeds from land sales:
• Land servicing costs (e.g. providing water, sewer, some streets,
and other public infrastructure to Quayside)
• Affordable Housing
• Support innovations that help reduce energy use and waste (with
a focus on Passive House-inspired buildings), as well as deliver
solutions such as:
o Pneumatic waste collection
o Expanded active transportation network
o Wayfinding beacons to enhance accessibility
o Permeable pavement
o Real-time digital map of the utility network
o Real-time digital 3-dimensional map of open space assets
o Updated map of infrastructure through environmental sensing
technology
• Support the legal and statutory obligations, and strategic
priorities of Waterfront Toronto
Page 14 of 169. Next Steps
If Waterfront Toronto and Sidewalk Labs can negotiate terms that work for both organizations,
and if Waterfront Toronto’s Board votes to move forward with Sidewalk Labs, there are still many
steps to go before there would be approval to proceed. Some of these steps include:
• Negotiation of Implementation Agreements during 2020 between Waterfront Toronto and
Sidewalk Labs.
• A decision by Toronto City Council on whether to support the project. The City of Toronto has
committed to conducting its own public consultation on Quayside to help inform Council’s
decision. These activities are expected to unfold in 2020.
• A review of the Quayside proposals by regulatory authorities at the municipal, provincial, and
federal levels.
• Ongoing work with all orders of government to work through all applicable legislation and
regulations related to the project, including Development applications, Building Codes,
Environmental Assessments etc. governed by the appropriate bodies and informed by public
consultation.
10. We want to hear from you
Waterfront Toronto is keen to hear your thoughts on what we’ve shared here, including the
attachments that describe solutions in more detail, as well as the categorized master list of 160
solutions. Your feedback will help Waterfront Toronto make informed decisions on whether to
move forward with this proposal and partner on Quayside and, if so, how.
Here are the key questions we have for you:
1. Do you think the innovations raise the bar on meeting the urban challenges? Why or why not?
2. Do you think that Waterfront Toronto has identified sufficient controls to manage risks? What
other controls would you like to see considered?
3. Do you think that Waterfront Toronto has appropriately prioritized solutions for public
investment? Why or why not?
4. Are there some innovations you would like to see prioritized over others? If so, which ones and
why?
5. What would you like to see in terms of commitments from Sidewalk Labs to this project?
If you have any other thoughts to share with the Waterfront team, please share them with us.
Many ways to participate:
Two identical interactive public working meetings will be held on Saturday, February
29, 2020 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, 1 Harbour Square.
The first meeting will run from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Two identical
The second meeting will run from 1:30 – 5:00 pm
public meetings
The first 30 minutes of both meetings will be a drop-in format with time to review
display boards and talk to Waterfront Toronto staff. Presentations and discussions
will start at 9:30 am and 2:00 pm.
Online feedback February 24 – March 31, 2020 at www.QuaysideTO.ca
For feedback to be considered by Waterfront Toronto as part of this second round of
Written
public consultation, it must be received by March 31, 2020. Please send it to
submissions
quayside@waterfrontoronto.ca
Page 15 of 16Notes Page 16 of 16
Attachment 1
Sustainability, Resiliency, and Climate
Positive
February 2020
How do we build a more sustainable city in the
face of climate change?
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the planet today, and cities
consume almost two-thirds of the world’s energy and account for over 70% of
greenhouse gas emissions. Urban populations have expanded exponentially and
84% of Canada’s population will be living in cities by 2030.
A business-as-usual approach is no longer an option and yet not every city has the
capacity to conduct the research and development necessary to build climate-
positive neighbourhoods. Quayside is an opportunity to build out a neighbourhood
that puts affordable climate-positive development within reach and can be used as
an example for cities around the world.
The Quayside RFP was ambitious in its objective to:
“Pilot, on a large scale, leading sustainability and resiliency practices
that address local, national and global carbon emission reduction
targets. Incorporate technology advancements that enhance
efficiencies and improve the overall quality of life for citizens,
employees, students and visitors to the area.”
See the Sustainability evaluation results on the following pages, along with key questions
for you.
Attachment 1 - Page 1 of 10Sustainability, Resiliency, and Climate Positive
evaluation results: the big picture
Out of the 160 solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs, Waterfront Toronto identified
56 related to sustainability and buildings. Through the technical evaluation,
Waterfront Toronto considered the degree to which each solution:
• Addressed one or more of Waterfront Toronto’s project objectives;
• Aligns with achieving a Priority Outcome;
• Leads to significant economic development impacts;
• Facilitates a transformational or systemic impact versus an incremental
impact;
• Requires ongoing public funding; and
• Has potential to benefit from a unique testbed opportunity and have broader
impact.
Based on the expert evaluation, the Evaluation Committee has concluded that the
solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs have been successful in meeting
Waterfront Toronto’s Sustainability, Resiliency, and Climate Positive objectives.
This conclusion does not mean Waterfront Toronto has approved moving ahead
with the project or a partnership with Sidewalk Labs. It does mean that Waterfront
Toronto sees merit in including these sustainability and buildings solutions in its
Draft Innovation Plan for Quayside. The second round of public consultation is
focused on the results of the technical evaluation and key considerations that will
inform Waterfront Toronto’s negotiations with Sidewalk Labs about an Innovation
Plan. Support for certain solutions may change based on feedback from the
public, support from Sidewalk Labs (who need to agree with Waterfront Toronto
on implementation terms), public policy priorities, and support from governments.
Attachment 1 - Page 2 of 10Quick glance evaluation summary
Each of the 56 dots below represents one of the proposed solutions Waterfront
Toronto identified related to Sustainability, Resiliency, and Climate Positive in
Sidewalk Labs’ Draft MIDP. The list of these solutions is on the following pages. The
full list of all solutions Waterfront Toronto identified in the MIDP is also attached.
Of those 56 solutions, there are:
49 solutions Waterfront Toronto does support and
proposes to include in the Draft Innovation Plan for
Quayside, with the private sector leading financing
and delivery. Included in these 49 solutions are:
10 solutions Waterfront Toronto supports and
would advocate for policy change / regulatory
reform
10 solutions Waterfront Toronto supports and
would advocate for government to support
through public investment (as/if required, in
addition to private investment and/or
regulatory reform)
3 solutions Waterfront Toronto supports and
proposes to invest in (as/if required, in
addition to private investment and/or
regulatory reform)
28 solutions are digitally enabled
7 solutions Waterfront Toronto does not support
and does not recommend being in the Draft
Innovation Plan for Quayside.
Attachment 1 - Page 3 of 10Highlights of Sustainability, Resiliency, and
Climate Positive solutions
The proposed solutions include those related to mobility, building design, construction and
operations, and advanced power and energy systems. The Evaluation Committee concluded
these solutions have the potential to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, set a
new global precedent for low-carbon urban development, and put affordable climate-positive
development within reach. Waterfront Toronto identified five groups of sustainability and
buildings solutions that achieve an outcome where the whole is greater than the sum of its
parts: energy infrastructure, high performance buildings, waste disposal, low carbon mobility,
and lowering embodied carbon. Examples of solutions with each of these groups are below.
Energy infrastructure
Automated schedulers for homes, offices, and building operations
Reducing energy consumption and cost by coordinating lighting, blinds, and
appliances. Empowers residents and businesses to take control over energy use and
carbon emissions.
Fossil-fuel-free ambient thermal energy system
Enables buildings to share energy and eliminates the use of fossil fuels. Enabling
infrastructure that can facilitate connection to other clean energy sources, like waste
heat from sewers or nearby industrial uses.
Battery energy storage and rooftop solar panels
To help handle peak electricity demands, distributed energy resources like
batteries and solar will be integrated into the typical electrical grid
infrastructure in the community. Use of these clean energy sources will help
reduce neighbourhood peak demand and contribute to lower customer bills.
High performance buildings
Passive House inspired buildings
High-performance building envelopes are core to reducing natural gas for heating
and cooling in cities. This approach includes minimal heat and cooling loss from the
building’s façade. The Passive House high performance building standard is an
international energy standard that will help achieve nearly zero/zero emissions and is
a proven standard with precedents across Europe. This approach also builds upon
Waterfront Toronto’s existing green building standards.
Attachment 1 - Page 4 of 10Waste disposal
Pneumatic waste collection
A proven technology in Europe, vacuum tubes collect waste, recycling, and organic
waste streams, reducing what goes into landfill. The system also keeps garbage
trucks off the streets, making them safer.
Low carbon mobility
E-bike parking
Parking and charging infrastructure for e-bikes included in the buildings and public
spaces to enable and encourage use of pedal assist bicycles within the Quayside
neighbourhood.
Lowering embodied carbon
Mass timber construction
A cornerstone of construction innovation is the wide-scale manufacturing of mass
timber, a “super wood” created by compressing multiple pieces of timber together.
Mass timber is easier to manufacture and better for the environment than concrete
or steel, yet just as strong and fire-resistant. Buildings made of timber act as a vault,
storing carbon that otherwise would have been released back into the air through
decomposition.
Shikkui plaster (fire resistant and sustainable)
Shikkui is a cradle-to-cradle certified natural material which has a fire-resistance
rating comparable to that of drywall, and has sustainable properties, health benefits,
faster application times, and a green waste stream. Made from natural ingredients,
Shikkui plaster has been used in Japan for over 1,000 years as an aesthetic finish
that also protects wood buildings against water and fire damage. Shikkui is
completely environmentally sustainable, receiving the globally recognized Cradle to
Cradle certification.
How do the digitally enabled solutions help meet our Sustainability challenges?
Access to real time data and information is a critical reason that the solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs
are effective at meeting many of Waterfront Toronto’s objectives for Quayside. 59 of the 160 solutions
proposed by Sidewalk Labs are digitally enabled. Two examples of digitally enabled solutions that help with
our Sustainability objectives are the Distributed Energy Resource Management System and Automated
Schedulers for Home, Office and Building Operations. These solutions, combined, can collect data and
communicate with each other in real-time to help reduce energy and make Quayside more sustainable.
Attachment 1 - Page 5 of 10All the proposed Sustainability solutions
The table below summarizes all the solutions Waterfront Toronto identified as relating to
Sustainability and Buildings in Sidewalk Labs’ Draft MIDP. Because Waterfront Toronto identified
some solutions as helping achieve multiple objectives, some appear in multiple Attachments.
MIDP /
PROPOSED LEVEL DIGITALLY TECHNICAL
NAME OF SOLUTION
OF SUPPORT ENABLED APPENDIX
REFERENCE
1 Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners is a new
financing vehicle for advanced infrastructure Support, Include Vol 3 – Pg. 24
systems
2 Expanded tree canopy and soil volume along
Support, Include Vol 2 – Pg. 360
streets and sidewalks
3 Brick is a standardized naming system that
facilitates for easier integration of building Support, Include Vol 2 – Pg. 317
systems
4 Off-site mass timber construction (then later
Support, Include Vol 2 – Pg. 208
assembled on site)
5 Building typology characterized by high
ceilings and long floor spans. With moveable
Support, Include Vol 2 – Pg. 238
wall systems spaces can maximize its use to
respond to changing needs of the community.
6 Green Roofs are covered in vegetation to
reduce stormwater runoff and lower cooling Support, Include Vol 2 – Pg. 223
costs of buildings
7 Backup biodiesel generators provide a clean
Support, Include Vol 2 – Pg. 328
energy source during power outages
8 Community cooling centres are spaces within
SWL Resilience
buildings that provide air-conditioned areas
Support, Include Framework – Pg.
during power outages that coincide with heat
3
waves
9 Building submetering to monitor energy
consumption and identify opportunities for Support, Include Vol 2 - Pg. 310
energy savings
10 Sidewalk Digital Fabrication is a digital system
Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 233
to coordinate the entire construction pipeline
11 Discounted Mobility Package groups
transportation services together for users at a Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 66
discounted rate
12 Waste Robots detect when trash receptacles in
the public realm are full signalling a need for Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 191
maintenance
13 Digital monitoring and active control using
sensors within underground stormwater Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 362
infrastructure
14 Automated schedulers for homes, offices &
Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 316
building operations
Attachment 1 - Page 6 of 10MIDP /
PROPOSED LEVEL DIGITALLY TECHNICAL
NAME OF SOLUTION
OF SUPPORT ENABLED APPENDIX
REFERENCE
15 Pricing incentives for electric vehicle parking Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 61
16 Efficient building lighting within buildings to
Support, Include Y DIA – pg. 91
reduce energy consumption
17 E-Scooter parking includes designated space
Support, Include Y Vol. 2 – Pg. 50
for parking electric scooters
18 Electric vehicle charging infrastructure for
Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 61
residents and visitors
19 Electric car-share parking in the Mobility Hub Support, Include Y Vol 1 – Pg. 117
20 Mobility-as-a-service digital tools combine
information about the transportation services Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 66
in the mobility package onto a single platform
21 A prefabrication of standardized building
Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 220
components for modular construction
22 Recycling audits at a material recovery facility
to create a feedback loop that informs
Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 346
residents of their recycling habits through
digital signage
23 Pay-as-you-throw smart waste chutes in
buildings to encourage recycling and disposal Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 350
of organics
24 Perform is a digital tool to monitor energy use
Support, Include Y Vol 2 – Pg. 310
of buildings in real-time
25 Responsive street lighting enables energy
savings by adjusting lighting based on sensors Support, Include Y DIA - pg. 73
and schedules
26 Modelling of greenhouse gas emissions and
Vol 2 – Pg.
energy consumption to support sustainability Support, Include Y
310/303
planning initiatives
27 Real-time energy codes would enforce
Support,
ongoing building performance to reduce energy Vol 2 – Pg. 313
Regulatory Reform
consumption
28 Off-site parking including e-valet service Support,
Vol 2 – Pg. 63
Regulatory Reform
29 Stoa, inspired by an ancient Greek term for a
covered walkway, is physical space that can Support,
Vol 2 – Pg. 242
allow for a flexible ground floor and second Regulatory Reform
floor
30 Above-grade parking structures that can be Support,
Vol 2 – Pg. 244
adapted for an autonomous-vehicle future Regulatory Reform
31 Shikkui plaster is sustainable plant-based
Support,
plaster that is fire-resistant and used to Vol 2 – Pg. 214
Regulatory Reform
encapsulate exposed timber
32 Moveable wall system that can change layout Support,
Y Vol 2 – Pg. 246
of interior spaces quickly and more easily Regulatory Reform
Attachment 1 - Page 7 of 10MIDP /
PROPOSED LEVEL DIGITALLY TECHNICAL
NAME OF SOLUTION
OF SUPPORT ENABLED APPENDIX
REFERENCE
33 Digital electricity (DE) involves low voltage DC
Support,
(direct current) to supply power in buildings Y Vol 2 – Pg. 247
Regulatory Reform
reducing fire risk and energy consumption
34 A sprinkler system that uses highly pressurized
Support,
thin tubes to release water mist to suppress or Y Vol 2 – Pg. 247
Regulatory Reform
extinguish fire
35 A system of sensors that can monitor indoor
air quality, structural integrity and noise levels Support,
Y Vol 2 – Pg. 252
to ensure buildings are compliant with existing Regulatory Reform
codes (such as fire safety) in real time
36 New hourly electricity rates and billing
Support,
structure to incentivize off-peak electricity Y Vol 2 – Pg. 330
Regulatory Reform
consumption and conservation
37 Mass timber buildings up to 30-storeys Support,
Government Vol 2 – Pg. 231
Funding
38 An Ontario-based factory for cross-laminated Support,
timber structural panels and glulam beams Government Vol 2 – Pg. 210
Funding
39 Fossil-fuel-free ambient temperature thermal Support,
grid with heat pumps & integration with Government Vol 2 – Pg. 338
buildings Funding
40 Geothermal for heating and cooling of Support,
buildings Government Vol 2 – Pg. 341
Funding
41 Waste heat recovery (e.g. data center, sewage Support,
pumping station) Government Vol 2 – Pg. 341
Funding
42 E-Bike parking includes electrical outlets Support,
beside some bike racks Government Y Vol. 2 – Pg. 50
Funding
43 Power grid "islanding" capabilities to provide Support,
electricity supply during power outages Government Y Vol 2 – Pg. 326
Funding
44 Solar Panels proposed for mounting on Support,
rooftops Government Y Vol 2 – Pg. 328
Funding
45 Battery energy storage helps handle peak Support,
energy demands by shifting electricity Government Y Vol 2 – Pg. 328
consumption patterns Funding
46 Distributed Energy Resource Management
Support,
System (DERMS) is a tool enabling the Vol 2 – Pg.
Government Y
coordination of energy systems within a 326/329
Funding
neighbourhood
Attachment 1 - Page 8 of 10MIDP /
PROPOSED LEVEL DIGITALLY TECHNICAL
NAME OF SOLUTION
OF SUPPORT ENABLED APPENDIX
REFERENCE
47 Permeable pavement allows for rainfall to
Support, WT
enter directly into the ground, reducing Vol 2 – Pg. 36
Investment
stormwater runoff
48 Passive House is a standard for building
Support, WT
construction designed to reduce energy Vol 2 – Pg. 307
Investment
consumption
49 Pneumatic waste is an underground vacuum
Support, WT
waste collection system (including recycling Y Vol 2 – Pg. 352
Investment
and organics)
50 Existing building use categories will be
simplified to fewer categories to allow spaces No Support Vol 2 – Pg. 251
to change its uses more easily and frequently
51 Sewage waste heat recovery through a
connection to Ashbridges Bay Wastewater No Support Vol 2 – Pg. 342
Treatment Facility
52 Anerobic digestion is a method to produce
No Support Vol 2 – Pg. 354
biogas from household organic waste
53 Local government structure for performance
monitoring of low-carbon advanced No Support Vol 3 – Pg. 69
infrastructure
54 Application of Innovation Design Standards
and Guidelines to new developments in the No Support Vol 3 – Pg. 76
IDEA district
55 Recurring payments by Waterfront Toronto to
Vol 3 – Pg.140-
subsidize operations of advanced No Support
142
infrastructure systems
56 Efficient unit designs explore various sizes,
types and layout that optimize living spaces No Support Vol 2 – Pg. 254
without compromising liveablity
Attachment 1 - Page 9 of 10Questions for you 1. Do you agree with Waterfront Toronto’s conclusions that Sidewalk Lab’s proposal sufficiently address the challenges we are trying to address? Why or why not? 2. Are there solutions you want to see Waterfront Toronto prioritize? If so, which ones and why? 3. Are there proposed solutions that you are concerned about? If so, which ones and why? 4. Do you have any other thoughts or comments related to the proposals? Join us on Saturday, February 29, 2020 for one of two identical public meetings (one morning, one afternoon) to share your thoughts, submit comments online at www.quaysidetosurvey.com, or email the Quayside team at quayside@waterfrontoronto.ca. All feedback received before March 31, 2020 will be summarized and posted online, and also shared with the Waterfront Toronto Board to inform their decision on the project. For more information visit www.QuaysideTO.ca. Attachment 1 -Page 10 of 10
Attachment 2
Complete Communities and
Inclusivity
February 2020
How do we build Complete Communities?
Complete Communities provide for affordable and inclusive housing, convenient and
efficient transit options, and integrated social and cultural amenities. Currently there
are more than 100,000 households on the waiting list for affordable housing in
Toronto and, as Toronto’s downtown population continues to grow faster than the
rest of the city, providing housing for residents of all income levels is a priority. We
can build more Complete Communities by:
• Creating a community that is inclusive for all
• Providing affordable housing
• Ensuring necessary amenities and public spaces exist close to home
In our RFP for Quayside, we wanted to:
“Establish a complete community that emphasizes quality of place,
and provides a range of housing types for families of all sizes and
income levels within a robust mix of uses, including public open
space, culture, recreation, vibrant retail, education- related
activities and offices”
See the Complete Communities evaluation results on the following pages, along with
questions for you.
Attachment 2 - Page 1 of 12Complete Communities evaluation results:
the big picture
Out of the 160 proposed solutions by Sidewalk Labs, Waterfront Toronto identified
69 related to Complete Communities. Through the Technical Evaluation, Waterfront
Toronto considered the degree to which each solution:
• Addressed one or more of Waterfront Toronto’s project objectives;
• Aligns with achieving a Priority Outcome;
• Leads to significant economic development impacts;
• Facilitates a transformational or systemic impact versus an incremental impact;
• Requires ongoing public funding; and
• Has potential to benefit from the unique testbed opportunity and then have
broader impact.
Based on the expert evaluation, the Evaluation Committee has concluded that the
Complete Communities solutions proposed by Sidewalk Labs have been largely
successful in meeting Waterfront Toronto’s Complete Communities objectives.
This conclusion does not mean Waterfront Toronto has approved moving ahead with the
project or a partnership with Sidewalk Labs. It does mean that Waterfront Toronto sees
merit in including these Complete Communities solutions in its Draft Innovation Plan for
Quayside. The second round of public consultation is focused on the results of the
technical evaluation and key considerations that will inform Waterfront Toronto’s
negotiations with Sidewalk Labs about an Innovation Plan. Support for certain solutions
may change based on feedback from the public, support from Sidewalk Labs (who need to
agree with Waterfront Toronto on implementation terms), public policy priorities, and
support from governments.
Attachment 2 - Page 2 of 12You can also read
