Plan with us! Kitchener's Strategic Plan 2023-2026
This project is complete. Kitchener Council has approved a citizen-informed plan to guide the City’s priorities over the next four years. The 2023-2026 strategic plan was developed after extensive engagement. Thank you to everyone who took our surveys, talked to us on the street or joined our resident panel! For more information, visit kitchener.ca/OurPlan
Plan the future of Kitchener with us!
Kitchener’s strategic plan is our community’s shared vision for the future of our City. We’re working on our 2023-2026 strategic plan and want you to be part of the planning process.
What should we focus on 4 years and even 20 years from now? Have your say and share your vision with us. Your input will help us build a strategic plan that best reflects the unique needs of our community – and develop a 20-year vision for the future of our City.
The vision will guide future City priorities and decisions that will move us toward a shared long-term future. The strategic plan will identify key goals and actions the City will take over the next four years to move us closer to achieving that vision.
Engaging you in this important work ensures that we are aligning our efforts with the needs of the community. And equally important, it builds trust with residents, knowing they can count on their local government to deliver the valued programs and services that they need.
Hearing what is most important to you has never been more important than it is today. Plan with us, Kitchener needs your voice, join the conversation!
Please subscribe for email updates using the ‘Subscribe’ button.
Plan the future of Kitchener with us!
Kitchener’s strategic plan is our community’s shared vision for the future of our City. We’re working on our 2023-2026 strategic plan and want you to be part of the planning process.
What should we focus on 4 years and even 20 years from now? Have your say and share your vision with us. Your input will help us build a strategic plan that best reflects the unique needs of our community – and develop a 20-year vision for the future of our City.
The vision will guide future City priorities and decisions that will move us toward a shared long-term future. The strategic plan will identify key goals and actions the City will take over the next four years to move us closer to achieving that vision.
Engaging you in this important work ensures that we are aligning our efforts with the needs of the community. And equally important, it builds trust with residents, knowing they can count on their local government to deliver the valued programs and services that they need.
Hearing what is most important to you has never been more important than it is today. Plan with us, Kitchener needs your voice, join the conversation!
Please subscribe for email updates using the ‘Subscribe’ button.
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Sustainability
over 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Sustainability has to do with our ability to meet environmental, economic, and social needs now and into the future.
In the survey, we heard that residents are interested in addressing climate change and sustainability. A majority (59%) said the city should use more of its budget to address climate change.
Our Corporate Climate Action Plan is a strategy for reducing our corporate level greenhouse gas emissions while adapting to the effects of climate change on our community. Our goal was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8% by 2026. We have already achieved that goal, and are continuing to make progress on further reductions.
Help us understand what is important about this topic. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
Why does sustainability matter to you?
Why is sustainability important for our community?
If over the next 20 years we made major improvements in sustainability, how would Kitchener have adapted? What has changed for the better?
Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoCycle system
More planing into improving the cycling system around the city. This will reduce the carbon footprint of the city as more residents feel more comfortable cycling on these paths and not the busy roads.
0 comment2Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoCarbon Tax
The carbon tax is not quiet right. We shouldn’t have to pay on a small pension. Bigger corporations should have to pay more as they are affecting the climate more.
0 comment0Emilyroseover 1 year agoTrees on Road Meridians
Trees add so much beauty to roads, adding more meridians is a traffic calming measure already being used by the city. Placing trees on those new meridians adds a lot of beauty, cools the streets with the shade, absorbs more common, makes use of dead space and adds to the desired traffic calming effect by creating a space that feels smaller.
0 comment4Street Team#over 1 year agoKitchener go green🌳🌳
I want to see more pollinator garden in our city. Being a horticulturist, I see the positive impact that other cities have from it.It not only for beautification but also foresee environmental sustainability. Make public spaces more green spaces. Make King street a walking street all year around so no one is worried about parking spots in downtown. These are two things I want to see in Kitchener after 20years.- Marwa
2 comments8Engage Kitchenerover 1 year agoSustainable Development
Building close to the LRT should not be the only sustainable aspect of a new Development. Sustainable measures should be in place before a developer receives approval from Council for a zoning or official plan amendments. Tall buildings are not sustainable development as the materials and activities needed to engineer the structure create greater carbon emissions than low-rise buildings. Density should be distributed across the city and not concentrated in the city core. New developments should have greenspaces at ground level and tree lined streets, unlike what has happened on Victoria Street South. If trees can't be planted then install planters to make the street walkable. Similarly, King Street from Wellington to Union needs a make over.
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Public Engagement
over 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Resident involvement in planning for Kitchener’s future is important and is a key part of democracy.
The City of Kitchener’s community engagement policy describes our commitment to ensuring residents play a meaningful role in municipal decision-making.
In the survey, 58% said they are interested in taking part in city decision-making, but 69% said they do not believe their input makes a difference.
We’d like to understand what this means to you and why this is important. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
Why did you decide to take part in this ideas board today? What motivates you to engage with the city? What else might help you take part in decision-making?
Why is public engagement important to our community?
Why do you think people don’t find their input makes a difference? How might we earn your trust?
If over the next 20 years we improved our public engagement practices, how would our community change for the better?
Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoAnonymous is key for public engagement
I really appreciate the anonymous of this project (street interviews) as it keeps topics of interest with little to no influence on who it is coming from. The street team project is a great step in getting the ideas of the residents and really appreciated the team putting themselves out their to get input for the city!
0 comment2Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoYounger engagement
The city has been built around the older generations as the politicians are the older generation. We need more younger engagement and fresh minds. We can’t keep having the older generation run the city as they see it different then the other half of the younger population does.
0 comment1Street Team#over 1 year agoWhy?
Because I live here, my kids will live here. If I didn’t speak what I want I will have to adjust with what it is. So I speak
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoLess tech based interviews
Over the next 20 years we are going to get more and more advanced in the tech world BUT we need to focus on the person to person interviews. I feel those are the most influential. It give the feeling of understanding to the residents that their voices are being heard.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoFreedom of interviews
We need a more free interview style like so. There is less influence on controlled answers and people will feel more comfortable not having their opinions challenged by others in a way they change their views because they are made uncomfortable.
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Recreation and Leisure Programs and Services
over 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.In the survey, residents told us that it is most important for us to offer recreation and leisure programs that support mental health and wellbeing (63%) and services for vulnerable populations (59%). Addressing homelessness and poverty was also the third most important issue facing our community today.
Also, 53% said city services and programs should be paid for by everyone through tax revenues, while 37% said those who use City programs and services should pay for them through user fees.
We’d like to understand what this means to you and why this is important. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
Why is it important to you that the city provide programs that support mental health and wellbeing? Why is it important to you that the city provide programs that support vulnerable populations? Why does this issue matter for our community?
The pandemic revealed many inequities in our community. Some Kitchener residents can’t get the support they need. We cannot afford to offer all services for free, but we also want everyone to be able to access the services they need. How might we strike a balance between the City’s financial limitations and providing services to those who are more vulnerable?
If over the next 20 years we made major improvements in the programs and services we provide, how would our community change for the better?
Kitchener Nativeover 1 year agoTeens involvement in free recreation helps reduces drug use & keeps youth on right path
Excellent results in Iceland - we should do the same here! Drug addictions are ruining the lives and futures of our youth. Preventative action needs to happen, regardless of the cost. And on that note, why is there no city bylaw preventing all these pot shops everywhere? Even in our malls now? We are allowing drug use to be "normalized" and too accessible to youth. Cigarettes can't be sold out in the open, no advertising for them allowed in stores, only hidden behind locked cabinets yet pot shops don't have the same requirements? It is so angering to see this promotion of drug use to youth everywhere. Our city should impose local regulations the same as is required for cigarettes. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/01/teens-drugs-iceland/513668/
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoAdult Programs
The community centres need to plan on programming more adult based programs, especially in the winter. When our kids are in programming there should be a program for the adults too. We love being together as a family and this would help build our bonds if we participated in programs together.
0 comment1Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoImprovements over the next 20 years
If the city made improvements over the next 20 years to recreation and leisure services I think we would see the community change for the better in population growth, tourist growth, and resident overall satisfaction and well-being. This is if the improvements include more parks, green spaces, community centres and special events all over the city, not just downtown.
0 comment1Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoMcLennan Park
McLennan Park needs better maintenance. It is used by many residents and most notably for me is that the SkatePark and Basketball courts need maintenance the most. My kids love playing there.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoPhysically Capable activities/programs
There are not many programs that I can attend with my physical ability. I am an older women and not that physically capable for many of the offered programs.
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Urban Growth
over 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Urban growth, where it happens and how, is a key concern for Kitchener residents. In the survey, residents said this was the second most important local issue facing our community today.
By urban growth, we mean making improvements to existing neighbourhoods, as well as building new ones. It is estimated that by 2051 there will be about 140,000 more people living in Kitchener. Our city needs to grow to accommodate new neighbours. That will mean more homes, neighbourhoods, parks, community centres, sewers, and other infrastructure.
Help us understand what is important about this topic. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
- When it comes to urban growth, what is the most important for us to focus on and why?
- Space for new homes (examples: how tall the buildings are, where they are located throughout the City))
- Transportation (examples: traffic, bike lanes, sidewalks)
- Public services (examples: parks, community centres, water/sewer, stormwater management )
- Maintenance of roads (examples: potholes, snow removal)
- Other
- Why does urban growth matter to you? Why is this issue important for our community?
- If over the next 20 years we made major improvements to how the city grows, what would change for the better in our community?
Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoHuron Community Centre
My family is really excited about the completion of the Huron Community Centre. With this community centre we hope they can provide something different for the community. Huron and very cultural based in my area and something based on culture at the community centre would be great.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoBuild more
We are growing more and more as a city and need more housing for these new residents. Growing up and out. Just need to get houses for the growing population.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoGreen spaces for each individual resident
I am sitting here near Downtown Kitchener right now and I am looking around and Apartments that are built and being built, but no green spaces. The only green space I know off around this area is Victoria Park and the issues with that is as we grow more and more as a city and the population grows with it we will need more green space. With that being said, I think over the next 20 years the City should start to plan on a rule that for every resident living within the city they need a certain amount of green space added for that individual. In short a ratio of green space per individual resident. We can not have only the same green space of Victoria Park for all these new apartments. The spaces are getting crowded and people need greens areas for better well being.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoA pushed path of Urban Growth
Years ago I was involved in the focus group talking about the LRT and within those focus groups we were split into smaller groups to focus on ideas. After leaving those smaller groups I talked with a friend, who was in another small group, about how it went. We both felt there was a pushed path and what I mean by this is that there was someone within the group who had a louder voice. These bigger voices were trying to solicit input from the public relations.
0 comment0Street Team#over 1 year agoSky scrapers an issues for our city.
There are big buildings besides single houses. Which causes issues in the coming years. Developers are violating the shade rules - Glen Black
1 comment2 - When it comes to urban growth, what is the most important for us to focus on and why?
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Delivering City Services
over 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.In the survey, 78% of residents said they are very or somewhat satisfied with the municipal government of the City of Kitchener.
Kitchener is part of the Region of Waterloo, which means some services are the responsibility of the City of Kitchener and others are the responsibility of the Region.
We are interested in your feedback on key areas of responsibility for the City of Kitchener. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Below are key services the City of Kitchener provides to residents:
- Bylaw enforcement for parking, property standards, noise
- Fire department
- Business licensing
- Economic development and business support
- Road maintenance, winter control, leaf collection
- Planning, development and building services
- Water distribution, sanitary water connection, sewage collection
- Parks and trails
- Arenas, pools, community centres and their programs
- Arts, culture and special events
Here are some questions to consider:
How might service in one or more of these areas be improved?
When you imagine Kitchener 20 years from now, how are services being delivered differently?
Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoWinter control/snow plows
There needs to be a better way to plow the roads and not throw large boulders of ice and snow back onto driveways that were just shovelled. I have hurt my back to many times trying to remove these boulders and there has to be a more efficient way of plow if city streets to prevent this issue.
1 comment1Street Team#over 1 year agoAppreciate the works of Community centres.
After Covid what the City is doing through Community Centres are great. We don’t want much programs what is now is enough. Too many programs bring back the risk of Covid -19. - Mary McCarthy
0 comment0Street Team#over 1 year agoAnimal park
I love all animals I and would like to see in the near future an animal park in our city. So that we don’t have to travel a lot to visit them
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoPaved transportation trails
Like the trails near mid town and downtown we need more paved trails all around the city. Lots of college and university students have bikes and the new electronic scooters and other not vehicle means of transportation. Therefore, I think the city needs to plan for the paved trails to all connect together without having to go on roads for most of the trips. I’ve the next 20 years if we plan well on this topic I see more students living a little further from the schools and residents for their workplaces as they have smooth and safe paths to get around the city and to destinations not before connected to trials.
1 comment1Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoIncome Geared Housing
The city needs to work towards more income geared housing. Need lower rent to make things more affordable in their life.
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Housing Affordability
over 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Housing affordability is a very important concern for Kitchener residents. In the survey, 33% of Kitchener residents said housing affordability is the single most important local issue facing our community today.
In 2020, the City launched Housing for All, a comprehensive strategy to realize the right to housing and help make housing affordable using the tools and resources available to a local municipality.
We’d like to understand what “housing affordability” means to you and why you feel this issue is important. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
When you hear “housing affordability” what comes to mind? How would you define housing affordability?
How does the issue of housing affordability affect you? Why is this issue important to you? Why does this issue matter for our community?
If we made major improvements in housing affordability over the next 20 years, what would change for our community?
Street team (H)over 1 year agoCity Services
I believe the city is doing well in terms of services. I appreciate how they have a variety of programs in their community centres, but the majority of these programs are sports or dance. I'd like to see more senior writing and reading programs .
0 comment0Street Team#over 1 year agoCharles Terminal houses
Our old bus terminal can be used to build new homes for homeless . Likewise old buildings likes schools can be renovated and make new homes. If we have a building structure then it’s economic to make it homes that to start from scratch
0 comment1Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoSeeking to be renovated
It might just be me but I see housing prices being tailored towards those looking to flip the house. You could see a house going for such a high price when in the current state it is not even close to that price. I see this as a house being sold to those that have the money to flip the house and make a profit. Now for what a plan would be for the next 20 years I don’t really know as this is not my specialty. I guess there could be a rule where the realtors can get a quote on the estimated price of the house in its current state and go from there on the pricing and not just posting an asking price in todays age.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoProperty tax
The property tax is going up with the prices of homes and making housing even more less affordable. It isn’t reflecting the market price like it should be.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoA little commune for the community (a creative option)
I see that there is a creative option to make housing affordable to the younger generations. In Europe they have this little commune that I read about that involved an area of the city where it was dedicated for containers. The Land was set aside for those looking for housing to have a stack at being a property owner. Something for the younger generations input the city to get their hand wet in the housing world and a chance to start living.
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Lifecycle
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Open for contributions
Plan with us! Kitchener's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 has finished this stageWhat’s most important to our community right now? And what should we work to achieve over the next 20 years? Share your ideas and vision for Kitchener’s future.
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Under review
Plan with us! Kitchener's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 has finished this stageContributions to this project are now closed for review. We will report back on key outcomes.
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Resident panel
Plan with us! Kitchener's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 has finished this stageThe panel is underway. Panel members are collaborating to learn about issues, review your feedback, and recommend goals and actions for the strategic plan.
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Under review
Plan with us! Kitchener's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 has finished this stageThe resident panel has closed and we are reviewing their contributions. We will report back on the result and share the draft strategic plan and 20-year vision.
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Open for Feedback
Plan with us! Kitchener's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 has finished this stageShare your feedback on the draft strategic plan and 20-year vision.
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Under review
Plan with us! Kitchener's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 has finished this stageWe are creating the final version of the strategic plan to recommend to City council.
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Report to Council
Plan with us! Kitchener's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 has finished this stageWe are bringing our final report to Council for approval.
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Vision and strategic plan approved
Plan with us! Kitchener's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 is currently at this stageCity Council has approved the strategic plan and 20-year vision. The final outcomes of our engagement are documented here.
Who's Listening
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Phone 519-741-2200 x 7059 Email Angie.Fritz-Walters@kitchener.ca