TORONTO - George Brown College and Sidewalk Labs have signed a letter of intent to work together on future projects that bring to life Sidewalk Labs’ proposal for Toronto’s eastern waterfront. Together, they will explore projects that relate to innovative community programming, including opportunities to enhance digital literacy and technology skills and opportunities to continue to strengthen the Toronto innovation ecosystem.
“George Brown plays an integral role in the city of Toronto, and we want to continue to shape its future,” says Rick Huijbregts, VP Strategy and Innovation at George Brown College. “Sidewalk Labs gives us an opportunity to collaborate on a broad range of projects intended to build community, enhance innovation and provide unique learning experiences for our students.”
“We are excited about the opportunities Sidewalk Labs can bring to Toronto, and its vision for a more innovative city,” says Anne Sado, President, George Brown College. “We look forward to collaborating in order to deliver true urban innovation to our students, partners and the great City of Toronto.”
“We look forward to working with George Brown College, one of our most forward-thinking neighbours at Quayside,” says Alexis Wise, Director, Sidewalk Labs. “We both share a commitment to putting community members at the forefront and building complete neighbourhoods, and look forward to testing and refining some of the ideas proposed in our plan for Quayside.”
Sidewalk Labs and George Brown College will discuss the following areas for potential collaboration:
Public Engagement & Research
George Brown faculty and students will support ongoing research and public consultation efforts. For example, this may take the form of joint research projects, co-design workshops with the broader community or advisory support.
Guest Lecturing
Sidewalk Labs may provide guest lecturers to George Brown College and participate in work-integrated learning experiences for students in construction, engineering, and architecture through George Brown’s Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies.
Building Digital Literacy Skills
George Brown and Sidewalk Labs will explore collaborations related to community spaces and programming with an initial focus on building digital literacy and entry-level tech skills programming for Torontonians.
Community Kitchen
Collaborate with George Brown College’s Chef School to explore the design of a community kitchen, which could host social gatherings, offer community programming and training.
Public Workshops
Host design workshops with the broader community; potential focus areas could include urban planning, mobility, infrastructure, tall timber construction, health and wellness, future of work, and future of living.
About George Brown College
Toronto's George Brown College prepares innovative, adaptable graduates with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. With three campuses in the downtown core, the college blends theory with experiential learning, applied research, and entrepreneurship opportunities. George Brown offers 171 full-time programs and 200 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to more than 31,500 full-time students, including 27 percent international students, and receives more than 65,000 continuing education registrations annually. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca
About Sidewalk Labs
Sidewalk Labs is an Alphabet company, founded in 2015, that aims to combine world-class urban design with cutting-edge technology to set new standards of sustainability, affordability, and economic opportunity for people of all incomes, abilities, and ages. Sidewalk has offices in New York and Toronto, with more than 30 full-time employees now based in Toronto.
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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Jodi Serwatuk
George Brown College
jserwatuk@georgebrown.ca
Wendy Manton
Sidewalk Labs
wendy@sidewalklabs.com
