Urban Strategist Jennifer Keesmaat Embraces Unconventional Approaches in City Planning
In the bustling city of Toronto, the implementation of the King Street Transit Priority Corridor (TPC) was met with opposition due to fears of changes in traffic flow and potential loss of customers by businesses along the corridor. However, this pilot project, spearheaded by Jennifer Keesmaat as chief planner, aimed to redesign the busy roadway into a transit priority corridor.
Keesmaat's unique approach to urban planning can be traced back to her liberal arts degree in English and Philosophy. This educational background honed her skills in critical thinking, communication, and ethical reasoning, which are essential to her vision of smarter, more human-centered city development.
The study of English likely enhanced her ability to communicate complex urban planning ideas clearly and persuasively, while Philosophy fostered critical inquiry and the capacity to question established norms in city design and policy. This foundation allowed her to approach urban challenges not just technically but also from social, ethical, and cultural perspectives, enabling her to advocate effectively for affordable, sustainable, and inclusive urban development.
Despite facing backlash while implementing her vision, Keesmaat believes it's not her aspirations that people dismiss, but rather the ways she wants to achieve them. To gain support for the TPC, Keesmaat and her team engaged stakeholders, involved the public in designing the pilot project, made the pilot's goals and impact clear, and used data to demonstrate the inefficiency of the old transit route.
Keesmaat's career in urban planning began after she organized a speakers' forum on housing issues in Vancouver and was asked if she was an urban planner due to her knowledgeable speech. Since then, she has served on the Advisory Board of Toronto's Urban Land Institute, run for Mayor of Toronto, and founded The Keesmaat Group, a company that assists organizations, governments, and companies worldwide in making cities future-proof.
Keesmaat finds the complexity and challenges of urban planning enjoyable and exciting. She sees change in cities as worthwhile work, despite its challenges. Her ideals include creating inclusive cities where everyone has the opportunity to live to their highest aspirations and flourish. To bridge this divide, she asserts the need to create a shared, broader narrative.
Today, the TPC is permanent, with changes in traffic movement, priority given to public transport, new bike boxes, public seating areas, and cafes on the side of the road. The success of this project demonstrates Keesmaat's ability to navigate the complexities of urban planning and deliver projects that benefit the community.
References:
[1] "Jennifer Keesmaat." The Canadian Encyclopedia, Historica Canada, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/jennifer-keesmaat.
[2] "Jennifer Keesmaat." Urban Land Institute, www.uli.org/people/jennifer-keesmaat.
- Jennifer Keesmaat's unique approach to urban planning, rooted in her liberal arts degree in English and Philosophy, has been instrumental in advocating for smarter, more human-centered city development.
- Keesmaat's educational background in English and Philosophy honed her skills in critical thinking, communication, and ethical reasoning, essential for redesigning thoroughfares like the King Street Transit Priority Corridor (TPC).
- In addition to urban planning, Keesmaat has ventured into career development, founding The Keesmaat Group that assists various entities in making cities future-proof, fostering sustainable and inclusive urban development.
- Retail businesses, such as fashion-and-beauty stores, home-and-garden shops, or shopping centers, might be concerned about changes in traffic flow and potential loss of customers due to urban planning projects like the TPC.
- Personal growth and leadership skills, which Keesmaat developed in her career, have helped her to effectively navigate complex urban challenges and successfully implement projects that benefit the community, such as the TPC.
- Travel arrangements, including transportation options like cars, may be influenced by urban planning projects and development, as the success of the TPC has shown priority given to public transport, using bike boxes and improving public seating areas for enhanced mobility.
