One of the highest-profile planning positions on the continent, and perhaps in the world, will soon be changing hands.
"Toronto's chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat is leaving her role effectively September 29 'to pursue other interests,'" according to an article by CBC News.
Keesmaat has held the job of chief planner and executive director of the city planning division for the last five years, previously working as a consultant and principal at a design firm.
Keesmat and Toronto Mayor John Tory took to Twitter to announce the change at the top of Toronto's planning division.
Words cannot express how much I will miss this team of exceptional professionals. #PlannersWhoLead #CitiesForAll https://t.co/ZRuDOvsfrL
— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) August 28, 2017
I want to personally thank @jen_keesmaat for her tremendous passion, leadership and innovation. https://t.co/LbuBZB9uQ8
— John Tory (@JohnTory) August 28, 2017
Keemaat has been a face for progressive planning throughout her tenure running Toronto's City Planning division. For more background on Keesmat's accomplishments and contributions to planning, see past Planetizen coverage.
FULL STORY: Jennifer Keesmaat stepping down from Toronto's chief planner role

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

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.

Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.

Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.

Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions