About Wes
Dr. Kinghorn is an urban research/digital imaging/project communications consultant with over 20 years of experience, focussed on urban design and place making. He is an Assistant Professor at Western University, a Postdoctoral Scholar in Public History and a frequent speaker at London civic gatherings. Wes’s focus is on sense of place, engaging urban environments, heritage preservation, and working to ensure that all voices are heard on matters of civic importance.
Wes is the Past President of the Urban League of London (a registered charity/umbrella organisation that includes over 40 neighbourhood associations and community organisations in London). He is also the past Chair of the London Advisory Committee on Heritage and a long time Chair of the Woodfield Community Association.
Get in touch
If you are interested in booking Wes for an upcoming urban design or research project, or for a teaching or speaking engagement please connect with him here, or by email or phone as you prefer.
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Background
Education
PhD in Urban Cultural Geography
Wes has employed both qualitative and quantitative methods in his research work, which focuses on place making and the impacts of place based policies on the lives of residents. His PhD research, for example, considers the impacts of Heritage Conservation District (HCD) designation on the sense of place experienced by residents, and the ways in which HCD policies support or challenge the physical and community aspects of place that are valued by residents. This research is grounded in the geographical literature related to the concepts of place, sense of place, place branding, heritage conservation, gentrification and ultimately the geographical theory of creative destruction.
Education
Western University (London, Ontario, Canada)
PhD, Geography
Western University (London, Ontario, Canada)
Master of Arts, Geography
Academic Awards (selected)
• Awarded 'Distinction' unanimously in the PhD Comprehensive Examination
• Wall of Fame (School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Western University)
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Doctoral (Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges & Universities)
• Allen K. Philbrick Scholarship in Cultural Geography (Dept. of Geography, Western University)
• Canadian Association of Geographers Thesis Award (Western University)
• Award of Merit for Academic Excellence (Western University)
Civic work and Teaching
Place matters
The importance of place is more than just the basis of a career for Wes. For over 20 years, he has served his community in various leadership and mentorship roles, and has contributed to the next generation of urban thinkers and designers through courses taught at both Western University and Fanshawe College.
Civic Work & Teaching
The Urban League of London
(a registered charity)
President (2015-2018)
The London Advisory Committee on Heritage
Chair (2013-2015)
The Woodfield Community Association
Chair (2004-2014)
Western University (London, Ontario, Canada)
Assistant Professor, Geography of Tourism and Urban Social Geography
Fanshawe College (London, Ontario, Canada)
Lecturer, Digital Imaging for Urban Design
Civic and Teaching Awards (selected)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (Governor General of Canada)
• ACO-HLF Heritage Award (ACO London Region and the Heritage London Foundation)
• USC Teaching Honour Roll – Award of Excellence (Univ. Student Council, Western University)
• Pan Hellenic Council Recognition: Teaching (Pan Hellenic Council, Western University)