Urban Innovation – The Case of Sidewalk Toronto
Sidewalk Toronto, a high-profile smart city project initiated by Sidewalk Labs in partnership with Waterfront Toronto, aims to create a technology-driven urban district that addresses contemporary urban challenges. The project has garnered significant attention for its ambitious goals, including the integration of advanced digital infrastructure, sustainable urban design, and innovative mobility solutions. Despite extensive media coverage and public debate, a comprehensive academic synthesis of Sidewalk Toronto’s initiatives is lacking. This thesis aims to conduct a systematic literature review to identify key themes, strategies, and outcomes associated with Sidewalk Toronto, providing a robust foundation for future research and practical applications. The thesis can optional look also into Sidewalk Barcelona.
| Level | Bachelor |
| Field of Study | Public Open Innovation |
| Prerequisites | None |
Description
This thesis will focus on conducting a systematic literature review of academic studies related to Sidewalk Toronto smart city initiatives. The objective is to analyze and synthesize existing research to understand the scope, impact, and challenges of this ambitious urban development project. The review will cover various aspects, including:
- The impact of Sidewalk Toronto for open innovation in Smart Cities
- The role of public-private partnerships in driving smart city innovation
- Challenges of Sidewalk Toronto (and Sidewalk Barcelona)
By examining peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and other scholarly works, this thesis will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on Sidewalk Toronto, highlighting gaps and opportunities for further investigation.
Why Choose This Topic?
- Real-World Relevance: Sidewalk Toronto represents one of the most ambitious smart city initiatives globally, offering a rich case study for urban innovation.
- Practical Impact: The findings of this review can inform urban planners, municipal innovation managers, and policy-makers – offering real-world value beyond the academic discourse.
- Clear Research Gap: While there are many individual studies on smart cities, there is a lack of systematic reviews focusing specifically on open innovation around the Sidewalk projects. This thesis addresses a meaningful academic gap.
- Accessible Topic: The project is suitable for bachelor-level work, requiring no prior technical knowledge. A structured literature review provides a clear methodology and manageable scope for a bachelor thesis.
Recommended Readings
[1] Filion, P., Moos, M., & Sands, G. (2023). Urban neoliberalism, smart city, and Big Tech: the aborted Sidewalk Labs Toronto experiment. Journal of Urban Affairs, 45(9), 1625-1643.
[2] Webster, J., & Watson, R. T. (2002). Analyzing the past to prepare for the future: Writing a literature review. MIS quarterly, xiii-xxiii. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4132319
How to Apply
If you are interested, please send the following via mail:
- Short motivation
- Preferred start date
- CV (PDF Attachment)
- Transcript of records (PDF Attachment)
We look forward to hearing from you!
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