Kitchener City Council has adopted the City’s new Official Plan, setting out a long-term vision to guide growth and development to 2051.

Guided by our vision: building a city for everyone where, together, we take care of the world around us - and each other, the new Official Plan establishes goals, objectives and policies to help the City meet the needs of today while preparing for the future. The plan:

• Supports more housing choice and supply to meet current needs and future growth.
• Focus growth in complete, connected communities with access to transit, jobs and services.
• Advances climate action and builds resilience to a low‑carbon future.
• Strengthens economic opportunity through planning for all types of jobs across the city
• Ensures parks, community services and infrastructure continue to support a growing population.

Community involvement shaped the plan

Over the past 2 years, Kitchener 2051 - one of the most extensive engagement processes undertaken by the City - has helped shape Kitchener’s new Official Plan. Thousands of residents shared their perspectives through events, workshops, surveys, and community conversations. This input helped shape the vision and policy directions in the new Official Plan, ensuring it reflects the needs of a diverse and growing community, including voices that are often underrepresented in planning processes.

The plan is guided by four key themes: a connected city, a green city, a thriving city and a caring city. Together, they provide a framework for how Kitchener will grow and evolve over the coming decades.

Kitchener 2051 brought together community voices, shared values and long-term planning to support a city that is inclusive, sustainable and prepared for the future.

Project now complete

Kitchener 2051 was the process through which our new Official Plan was aligned with provincial policies and plans while establishing clear local direction for growth and development. This project is now complete.

Following Council’s adoption, the City will submit the Official Plan to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. Once approved, the Official Plan will come into effect.