The company working to develop Toronto’s Quayside alongside Waterfront Toronto wanted to enclose its high-tech neighbourhood in a plastic dome called “canopy,” according to  since-abandoned confidential plans from 2016. An analysis at the time anticipated revenues from real estate, utility fees and taxes could range between US$43 billion and US$83 billion over several decades. (The Information)

Talking point: This was some time before Sidewalk Labs responded to a request-for-proposals put out by Waterfront Toronto in March 2017 and, while the company’s plans remain ambitious, the 2016 plans show that they’ve been toned down since arriving in Toronto. More recent propositions involving outdoor comfort—partnering with environmental engineers and designers to explore infrastructure and materials that could help mitigate the effect of weather on outdoor public spaces—is reminiscent (and likely more realistic) to “canopy.” Revenue projections have almost certainly been toned down as well, with CEO Dan Doctoroff saying that the project would make money from some limited real estate development and an increase in land value. It’s worth noting that the land in question is, as of now, owned largely by Waterfront Toronto.