Decision 1: Getting around

Decision 1: Getting around

It’s 8:00am and you’re ready to start your day. You have a doctor’s appointment in an hour. How do you get there?

  • ⏺️ Circle

    You make the 5-minute walk/roll to the transit stop knowing that you won’t have to wait longer than 10 minutes for the next bus. You read your book as you travel to your doctor’s office in another part of the city.

  • ⏹️ Square

    You walk/roll over to the neighbourhood health clinic – it’s just a few blocks from home in a new mixed use building across from the transit hub.

  • 🔼 Triangle

    You walk/roll to the local hardware store down the street to pick up a few things you need around the house. You’ll drive to the doctor’s office afterwards but you’re not worried about being late, it’s just a few neighbourhoods over.


Making informed decisions

Getting where you need to go—quickly, comfortably, and reliably—is a big part of daily life. Having good options for getting around can make the day feel smoother and more connected. As Kitchener grows, it’s important to think about how people move between home, work, services, and community spaces. The design of our neighbourhoods and where we locate important places affects how easy it is for people to get where they need to go, especially for those who don’t drive, are unable to drive, or prefer not to.

Key considerations include:

Bringing more services into neighbourhoods makes life more convenient, reducing the need to travel for simple tasks; but can also lead to change in the look and feel of an area. Spreading services throughout the city may mean not all neighbourhoods have the services they need to thrive.

Frequent, reliable transit helps people get around independently without needing to rely on a car. When stops are nearby and service is dependable, it makes everyday trips less stressful and more predictable. However, this requires investment, enough riders, and the right mix of homes, shops, and services to be successful.

Even with improved transit and active transportation options, cars will remain a part the city. Supporting a range of travel choices just means that people will have more than one option to make different choices for different trips.