A cultural heritage landscape (CHL) is a place that holds special meaning because of how people have lived, worked, and shaped it over generations.

A CHL might include natural features (like rivers or hills) or human-made elements (like buildings, farms, or roads). Together, these help tell story of a community’s history, traditions, and way of life.

The project was similar to past CHL Implementation projects like those for Growing Together West and Lower Doon. Any changes or new policies will follow best practices in CHL conservation, using standards and guidelines from the Federal government, Region, and City.

Kitchener 2051 included:

• Field work, research, one city-wide public open house, and four (4) specific neighbourhood walk shops
• Review of existing CHL policies in the Official Plan
• 27 new CHLs added to the cultural heritage resource map in the Official Plan
• Draft new policies in response to best practices in CHL conservation and the recommendations from the 2014 CHL Study
• Draft new policies that apply to the different categories of CHLs
• Draft specific policies for four (4) neighbourhood CHLs

The four neighbourhood CHLs reviewed as part of Kitchener 2051 were chosen because they reflect development periods and architectural styles that aren’t protected elsewhere in the city. Work on additional neighbourhood CHLs is ongoing and may be implemented through future planning processes, such as Official Plan amendments.

The Official Plan currently contains policies that guide design in CHLs identified on Map 9 of the Official Plan, requires heritage studies for development on or adjacent to an identified CHL, and specific policies for Lower Doon CHL and the Cedar Hill Schneider Creek Neighbourhood CHL.

The 2014 Cultural Heritage Landscape Study was the starting point. In 2025, research from consultants – along with feedback received at an open house, walking tours, Heritage Kitchener meetings, and the Kitchener 2051 project page – informed the proposed CHL policies that are part of the draft Official Plan.

In 2025 consultants were retained as part of the CHL Implementation project to inform Kitchener 2051. The consultants:

• Conducted scoped background and historical research and survey work for each CHL, which in some cases included looking at subdivision history, historic development and patterns of development, to help inform refinements of cultural heritage value, heritage attributes and /or adjustments to the CHL boundaries
• Conducted a streetscape pedestrian survey of each CHL to understand the built form, architectural styles, lotting patterns, and natural features on a streetscape level. These were documented through photography, and a written description at the landscape scale (not individual property) that included the number of properties, general land use patterns, property and building types, block and lot patterns, typical street cross-section, typical building setbacks, primary era of development, typical building heights, dominant cladding materials, dominant roof type, main architectural themes/styles, general condition of properties, general level of integrity of properties, landscape features, and views/vistas.

In mid-September 2025, a city-wide open house was held to share information and gain feedback to inform the development of CHL policies as part of Kitchener 2051. The open house was posted on Kitchener 2051’s project page, advertised on the City’s social media, and via email to heritage organizations and other interested parties.

In the weeks following the open house, neighbourhood walking tours were hosted in each of the four neighbourhoods. Postcard invitations were mailed out to all property owners and occupants in each CHL and the walking tours were advertised through social media. At the walking tours, interested persons could share:

• intangible perspectives about the CHL (stories, memories, knowledge, traditions);
• their thoughts on the boundaries of the CHL, and;
• any other information about the cultural heritage value and heritage attributes of the CHL.

The City’s municipal heritage committee, Heritage Kitchener, had opportunity to give feedback at the start of the CHL Implementation project through a survey and a review of draft CHL policies.

• Add your story or photo. Click ‘Post your story’ to get started.
• View other stories and photos. Use the 'Filter by' drop-down to filter by neighbourhood.
• Click the 'heart' button on the ones you like.
• Feel free to comment on the stories and memories others have shared.