Downtown Kingston
Working towards a cleaner, safer city centre
Overview
Downtown Kingston has long been the heart of commerce and culture. But challenges related to cleanliness, safety and coordination impacted business performance and public confidence.
Leap partnered with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and the Kingston Restoration Company to mobilise the business community and drive lasting transformation in Downtown Kingston. The initiative brings together public and private sector partners to improve the downtown environment and create a safer, more vibrant city centre for residents, workers, and visitors.
Our approach
We led business engagement and designed the Keep It Clean Initiative, a practical mechanism to move businesses from discussion to action on the upkeep of downtown.
We listened, convened and collaborated with businesses to understand challenges and co-create solutions.
Business Engagement
We designed and launched the Keep It Clean initiative to promote cleaner practices and shared responsibility across the city centre.
Keep It Clean Initiative
We established clear roles, standards and reporting to strengthen trust and ensure follow-through.
Shared Accountability
Our outcome
“A shared framework for business participation, building trust, accountability, and a platform for longer term collaboration.”
01
A clear framework for business participation and coordinated action in Downtown Kingston.
Shared framework
02
Stronger trust and accountability between businesses and key stakeholders.
Stronger trust
03
Six-month perception survey showed significant improvements in cleanliness, safety and overall business confidence.
Measurable gains
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The quality of a neighbourhood says a great deal about what we expect for the people who live there. Every broken sidewalk, overgrown verge, overflowing drain or neglected public space sends a message.
The spaces we deserve
Five steps driving renewal in Downtown Kingston: what we are learning
This is not a thesis on how to revitalise a city centre. It is a reflection on what we are learning, in our work supporting the Downtown Kingston Redevelopment Initiative (DKRI) over the past twelve months, about what is starting to produce measurable change in one of Jamaica's most studied urban districts.
