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When Alphabet Inc. Plans Toronto’s Waterfront: New Post-Political Modes of Urban Governance

Author

Listed:
  • Constance Carr

    (Department of Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg / CITY Institute, York University, Canada)

  • Markus Hesse

    (Department of Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg)

Abstract

‘Smart cities’ has become a hegemonic concept in urban discourses, despite substantial criticism presented by scholarly research and activism. The aim of this research was to understand what happens when one of the big digital corporations enters the field of real estate and land use development and urban planning, how existing institutions respond to this, and how modes of urban governance are affected. Alphabet Inc.’s plans for Toronto’s waterfront provided insights into these questions. Our investigations traced a complex web of place-making practices that involved all levels of government, the general public, and networks of actors throughout the private sector. Methodologically, the discourse was reconstructed with local fieldwork, interviews with key actors, participating in tours and public meetings, and secondary sources. It was found that Alphabet Inc.’s plan to build a world-class digital city contained some lessons for urban studies and urban planning practice. First, Alphabet Inc.’s plans, which unfolded amidst initiatives to expand the knowledge economy, confirmed concerns that the trajectory of neoliberal, market-driven land use and speculation along the waterfront remains unchanged. Second, digital infrastructures are potentially a Trojan Horse. Third, it was seen that municipalities and their modes of urban planning are vulnerable to the political economic manoeuvrings of large corporate power. Fourth, Alphabet Inc. operates as a post-political package driven by a new coalition of politics, where the smart city is sold as a neutral technology. The controversies surrounding the project, however, stirred a civic discourse that might signal a return of the political.

Suggested Citation

  • Constance Carr & Markus Hesse, 2020. "When Alphabet Inc. Plans Toronto’s Waterfront: New Post-Political Modes of Urban Governance," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(1), pages 69-83.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:urbpla:v5:y:2020:i:1:p:69-83
    DOI: 10.17645/up.v5i1.2519
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard Tomlinson & Andrea Rizvi & Rene Salinas & Stefanie Garry & Jennifer Pehr & Francisco Rodriguez, 2010. "The Influence of Google on Urban Policy in Developing Countries," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(1), pages 174-189, March.
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    4. Rob Kitchin, 2015. "Making sense of smart cities: addressing present shortcomings," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 8(1), pages 131-136.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ruth Potts & Alex Lord & John Sturzaker, 2024. "Automatic for the people? Problematising the potential of digital planning," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 61(12), pages 2435-2451, September.

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