Up Front
Kenneth Ebanks, Acting Directorof Planning:
Making a Difference inPlanning
Kenneth Ebanks, acting Director of the Department ofPlanning
The view from the window of the office ofthe Acting Director of Planning is a picturesque scene of GeorgeTown's harbour. On a recent morning, its clear blue skies, turquoisewaters and warm sunshine mirror the sunny disposition of the manwho occupies the office.
Kenneth Ebanks, one month into his new role as Acting Directorof Planning, appears to have his thumb on the pulse of the city.With over 20 years in the Department of Planning, he has seenGrand Cayman's landscape change significantly. And now he is ina role that will help to determine future changes.
Growing up, in West Bay, as a young man back in the 70's whenjobs were scare, Kenneth knew what careers he did not want topursue. Construction and banking, the main professions availableto young men during that time, did not strike a chord with him.
The youngest of three brothers on his mother's side, Kenneth said:"My mother insisted that I try and use my head and not myhands."
So he pursued his education, often supported financially by hislate brother, Elgin, Kenneth recalled. As he graduated from HighSchool in 1973, he jumped at a golden opportunity -- a scholarshipto pursue a two-year training course in Physical Planning, inSt. Lucia, under the egis of the United Nations.
He returned to Cayman to work with the Department of Planning,where he stayed until the early 1980's. He then left Governmentservice for the private sector, where he worked for five years,drafting architectural plans.
In February, 1986, his old post of planning assistant became availableand Kenneth rejoined the civil service. He was off again in 1987,this time to study again, at the University of Waterloo, Ontario,Canada where he received a Bachelor's degree in EnvironmentalStudies earning honours in Urban and Regional Planning.
He returned to the island in 1991 and to the Planning Department,as Planning Assistant, later progressing to Planning Officer andChief Building Control Officer.
Kenneth recalled that in 1994 the department was reorganised andtwo assistant director posts were created. He then became AssistantDirector of Long-range Planning, a role he still plays today.
"What has kept me going is the knowledge that I can makea difference and at some point I will be given the opportunityto. I think all people are on earth for a particular purpose.I think this is mine," said Kenneth.
And from where he sits, the position of Director of Planning seemslike a "natural progression."
"I am looking forward to it very much," he admitted.He is only the second Caymanian, after Carson Ebanks (now PermanentSecretary in the Ministry for Community Development, Women's Affairs,Youth and Sports) to head the Department of Planning.
He acknowledges that his is an "extremely sensitive"role and one which "When you're dealing with land, period,there isn't any other issue that gets people as riled up, whenyou talk about what they can and cannot do with their land. Fromthat perspective it also becomes political," he said.
But he was quick to add that to date there hasn't been any politicalinterference. "I don't foresee that as a problem. The newgovernment's philosophy of accountability, transparency, and opennessshould make my job a lot easier," he explained.
The Department of Planning has responsibility for monitoring andapproving devlopment plans, from the routine - pools, fences,homes - to the "non-routine" -- apartments, duplexes,commercial developments, whether a small corner store or a five-storeyoffice building, hotels and subdivisions.
While routine matters are approved adminstratively by the Directorof Planning, and are usually processed within a week, non-routinematters go through the Central Planning Authority (CPA). Withlegally mandated times for such applications to be advertisedin the papers to notify adjacent landowners, these applicationsare processed within six to eight weeks after submission.
The department now operates with 34 members of staff. Two areon study leave.
One challenge facing the department, Kenneth is Cayman's "changingdemographics." Others he cited as being able to implementstrategies that will effectively deal with enabling Caymaniansto own their first home; traffic, which "is going to be aproblem with us for a long time," and the pressure of maintainingthe balance between environmental protection and development.
"Our two most critical environmental issues are the beachesand the mangroves. Nowadays, when we have Northwesters or anystorms coming close by, the erosion happens along Seven Mile Beach.That issue has to be addressed, if we are to keep catering totourism. Visitors to the Caribbean are looking for beach and ifwe don't have any they we go somewhere else" he stated.
Asked whether he was pleased with Cayman's progress over the yearshe has been at the department Kenneth responded" "Ithink it would be a fair statement that we have developed toofast. I do not think anyone would deny that. I would also haveliked that in the process we had been able to develop more ofa sense of place."
That sense of place, he said, is evident in places like Bermuda,Jamaica and Barbados. It is something that could have been achievedwith "our architectural style," Kenneth said, notingthat with so much competition in tourism and the financial sector,such distinguishing features are necessary.
"I think we need to find a niche and in my opinion, the sunand sand and sea is not going to be enough."
Self-described as "personable", a trait that has increasedhis effectiveness in the job, Kenneth notes that the departmentis seeking to work closer with the public, in partnerships - theway to go in the 21st century.
The father of four has some advice for young Caymanians:"Goto school, and more school, and more school. And after that ittakes dedication and perseverance," he said.