Urban Designer Jennifer Keesmaat - A Daring and Non-Traditional Urban Planner
Jennifer Keesmaat, a renowned urban planner, brings a unique perspective to her work, rooted in her liberal arts degree in English and Philosophy. This academic foundation allows her to ask fundamental questions about life and apply them to the practical field of urban planning.
Keesmaat's career in urban planning began after she worked as a community activist on housing issues in Vancouver and read Jane Jacobs' "The Death and Life of Great American Cities." This pivotal moment set her on a path to become a leading figure in city development.
One of Keesmaat's most notable projects is the King Street Transit Priority Corridor, a project that aimed to re-design a busy roadway into a transit priority corridor, restricting through movement and creating more space for trams. The strategy for this project included engaging stakeholders, involving the public in designing the pilot project, and launching information campaigns to make the pilot's goals and impact clear.
The project faced opposition from car-users and business owners but was met with support after a strategy of public engagement, clear goal communication, and a data-driven approach was implemented. Today, the King Street Transit Priority Corridor is permanent, with movement being redirected and public transport taking priority, and new bike boxes, public seating areas, and cafes on the side of the road.
Keesmaat's vision for urban planning involves creating inclusive cities where everyone has the opportunity to live to their highest aspirations and flourish. She emphasizes that change in cities requires finding like-minded people and inspiring others to work towards the same vision.
In addition to her work in urban planning, Keesmaat hosts two podcasts, Invisible City and Within Reach, and founded The Keesmaat Group in 2018, a company that assists organizations, governments, and companies worldwide in making cities future-proof. She has also served on the Advisory Board of Toronto's Urban Land Institute.
Keesmaat finds the complexity and challenges of urban planning joyful and wakes up every day excited about her work. She believes that change in cities is difficult work but is worthwhile if it is fundamentally collaborative and not a top-down exercise. Despite the challenges, she finds staying motivated easy because her work is not so much about motivation but rather about resilience.
Sources:
- Jennifer Keesmaat - Wikipedia
- Jennifer Keesmaat - The Globe and Mail
- Jennifer Keesmaat - The Toronto Star
- Jennifer Keesmaat - CBC News
- Jennifer Keesmaat - The Toronto Star (Mayoral Campaign)
- Jennifer Keesmaat, although recognized for her urban planning work, extends her influence beyond cities, hosting two podcasts, Invisible City and Within Reach, focusing on various topics such as lifestyle, relationships, travel, and personal growth.
- In her pursuit of creating inclusive and flourishing cities, Keesmaat also emphasizes the importance of education and self-development, having founded The Keesmaat Group in 2018, offering services in career development, education, and fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and shopping industries.
- As a pet owner and advocate for animal welfare, Keesmaat's vision for cities extends to all residents, whether human or furry, with pet-friendly policies being a significant aspect of her urban planning philosophy.
- In her free time, Keesmaat enjoys exploring different food-and-drink cultures during her travels, often immersing herself in local markets and cafes for a taste of the authentic flavors each destination offers.
- Committed to sustainable living, Keesmaat chooses to drive electric vehicles, advocating for eco-friendly initiatives in her career as an urban planner and in her personal life.
- Despite the occasional resistance to her projects, such as the King Street Transit Priority Corridor, Keesmaat remains dedicated to her work, believing that collaboration and continuous learning are key components of personal growth and career development in the field of urban planning.
