I find that the current approach to understanding how algorithms shape urban environments (and our experiences of them) is largely focused on evaluating output, and ensuring open-source ‘fact checking’ by stakeholders along the way. But building algorithms is a design process, and much of the assumptions built into them are embedded precisely at the design phase. I believe a more central question may be, how do we ensure better representation in tech communities so that the algorithms that are coded reflect inclusive assumptions? Should there be a standard of ethics for algorithmic development? What kind of research do we need to do to correlate algorithm design attributes to experienced outcomes? Further, how do we ensure such a standard is met in a world where urban services are increasingly provided by private companies (Sidewalklabs, Uber etc.) and the algorithms that determine those service-architectures are proprietary?