Promised Data-Driven Infrastructure On Hold at Hudson Yards

When the Manhattan megadevelopment got its start, big data was a major part of Hudson Yards' marketing pitch. Now it's "probably the last thing we'll get to."

2 minute read

February 24, 2019, 9:00 AM PST

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Manhattan

Tom Wurl / Shutterstock

"New York's Hudson Yards was once billed as the country's first 'quantified community,'" Emily Nonko writes. "So where is the NASA-like mission control? Data collection and advanced infrastructure will still drive parts of Hudson Yards' operations, but not (yet) as first advertised."

In a pitch that segued with then-mayor Michael Bloomberg's luxe, tech-friendly vision for the city, Hudson Yards was supposed to be "a test bed for a network of sensors meant to provide constant updates to [developers] Related and Oxford. In a city known for grueling walk-ups and miserable subway commutes, data—it was promised—would make 'live, work, and play' (as the marketing lingo goes) easy and adaptable."

But in the intervening years, those developers "have been occupied with the not-so-insignificant task of building a neighborhood." Meanwhile, many of those smart city ambitions have been put on hold. "We concluded that big data is probably the last thing we'll get to. It'll be years from now before we're in that world," said Related Hudson Yards president Jay Cross.

Certain easy-to-implement smart systems are in place at Hudson Yards, including an app serving tenants, touch-screen kiosks for visitors, and fingerprint sensors for office workers. But even so, Nonko asks, "If Hudson Yards—with a seemingly infinite budget and a blank slate—couldn't build it, who can?" And as data collection stirs controversy at other smart city hotspots like Sidewalk Labs' Quayside, does that vision even reflect what people want?

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 in Metropolis Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan

The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

May 8, 2025 - CBS News Chicago

Close-up on e-scooters parked in painted designated parking area on city street.

E-Scooter Parking: A Guide

How smart planning — and ample designated parking — can end conflicts over shared scooters.

May 14 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Bozeman, Montana with mountains in background.

‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana

Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.

May 14 - Daily Montanan

Illustration of nighttime city with white lines connecting nodes to illustrate technology and connectivity

Top 10 Tech-Ready Cities

An index ranks U.S. cities based on their preparedness for the ‘smart city future.’

May 14 - Smart Cities Dive