Downtown Kitchener Vision

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Unprecedented growth is happening at a time where housing affordability, climate, equity, and social factors are coming together to change the face of the downtown core. The pandemic has caused significant impacts to our business community. This includes the many businesses and organizations who rely on in-person engagement. The office community suddenly transitioned to working remotely, with uncertainty on what a post-pandemic work environment will look like.

As a result, it’s time for the community to shape a new vision for the downtown. This new vision will include a set of guiding principles for the next generation of community-led transformation.

Over the last several months the Downtown Community Working Group has worked together with City staff. They have shaped a comprehensive community engagement process and identified key themes and issues in the downtown. They will continue to play an important role, reviewing community feedback and creating a draft vision and principles based on your ideas.

Now it’s your turn.

The working group members and City staff are seeking your feedback. What’s your vision for downtown Kitchener’s future? Your contributions will help us identify a new vision and set of principles. These will guide decision-making for the downtown core over the next 10 years.

Learn more about how you can get involved

If you would like to get email updates about this project, add your email to the Stay Informed section and click ‘Subscribe’.



Unprecedented growth is happening at a time where housing affordability, climate, equity, and social factors are coming together to change the face of the downtown core. The pandemic has caused significant impacts to our business community. This includes the many businesses and organizations who rely on in-person engagement. The office community suddenly transitioned to working remotely, with uncertainty on what a post-pandemic work environment will look like.

As a result, it’s time for the community to shape a new vision for the downtown. This new vision will include a set of guiding principles for the next generation of community-led transformation.

Over the last several months the Downtown Community Working Group has worked together with City staff. They have shaped a comprehensive community engagement process and identified key themes and issues in the downtown. They will continue to play an important role, reviewing community feedback and creating a draft vision and principles based on your ideas.

Now it’s your turn.

The working group members and City staff are seeking your feedback. What’s your vision for downtown Kitchener’s future? Your contributions will help us identify a new vision and set of principles. These will guide decision-making for the downtown core over the next 10 years.

Learn more about how you can get involved

If you would like to get email updates about this project, add your email to the Stay Informed section and click ‘Subscribe’.


  • Do it Yourself (DIY) Workshop - Deadline extended to April 16

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    Host a DIY workshop

    As part of the Downtown Community Working Group's outreach, a do-it-yourself kit workshop kit has been prepared! Gather your community, organization, neighbours or friends for a conversation about the future of the downtown core! Our do-it-yourself kit offers step-by-step instructions plus tips on facilitating a discussions, key questions, and what to do with all the great ideas you hear. Host your own workshop and send us the results by April 16.

    The feedback will be shared and reviewed with the Downtown Community Working group to help inform the vision and principles for DTK. The workshop works best with groups of 10 people and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.

    Download the DIY kit

  • How to get involved

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    There are plenty of ways to share your vision and ideas for the future of downtown Kitchener.

    Join us at a pop-up

    In February and March we will be downtown having conversations about the future of downtown Kitchener. Enjoy a hot chocolate and share your thoughts on the future of downtown Kitchener! Play DTK scrabble. Share your thoughts about DTK’s great places. All are welcome! Come find us:

    • Feb. 25, 2023 – Kitchener Market indoors from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Feb. 25, 2023 – Carl Zehr Square from 5 to 9 p.m.
    • Mar. 18, 2023 – Kitchener Market indoors from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Mar. 18, 2023 – Carl Zehr Square from 3 to 6 p.m. (UPDATED TIME) Due to the current Weather Warning in effect for Kitchener the event today will start at 3 p.m. and will run as along as the weather cooperates.
    • NEW Mar. 25, 2023 - Kitchener Market indoors from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.


    Host a DIY workshop

    Gather your community, organization, neighbours or friends for a conversation about the future of the downtown core! Our do-it-yourself kit offers step-by-step instructions plus tips on facilitating a discussions, key questions, and what to do with all the great ideas you hear.

    The feedback will be shared and reviewed with the Downtown Community Working group to help inform the vision and principles for DTK. The workshop works best with groups of 10 people and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.

    Download the DIY kit


    Share your ideas online

    Take part anywhere, anytime by sharing your thoughts and ideas on this page:


  • Share your vision and help transform the future of Downtown Kitchener

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    Downtown Kitchener is at a key point in its evolution, and it’s time to develop a new, community-led vision for the future. The City of Kitchener and the Downtown Community Working Group are looking for your input, your vision and your ideas to help shape and transform Downtown Kitchener into a downtown for all.

    We’re calling on all residents, visitors, businesses, educational institutions, and property owners, to help shape a new vision and set of principles for Downtown Kitchener that reflects the unique characteristics of our community.

    Over the past 20 years, Downtown Kitchener has evolved into a thriving centre of great places to live, amazing companies to work for, delicious places to eat and awesome venues to enjoy events with family and friends! Downtown Kitchener’s renewal has been built on strategic investments in innovation, education and expansion - fueled by the ION LRT, post-secondary educational institutions, a growing technology and knowledge-based economy, and the continuing growth of people and housing. There is still much more to be achieved, and that is where community involvement is crucial.

    "Downtown Kitchener is the foundation upon which our community is built upon – its where you find the beating heart and soul of our community and its people,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Whether you live, work or play in the Downtown – as Downtown Kitchener continues to evolve and grow, it's crucial that we work together to establish a shared vision for DTK both for today and far into the future.”

    Share your ideas by taking the online survey until Mar. 31, 2023.

    In addition to the online survey, there will be pop-up events in March, where members of the community can share their ideas and input in person.

    For upcoming pop-up events and to take the online survey, visit engagewr.ca/dtkvision.

Page last updated: 31 Mar 2023, 11:59 PM