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
almost 2 years 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 Interviewalmost 2 years agoI keep improving on what is working
If we have achieved the goal of 8% already 4 years prior to the date we wanted, keep at it. Look at what is successful and improve on that.
0 comment1Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years agoGreener Downtown
Victoria park is a great green space for the city but let’s not just stop there let’s add green spaces all over downtown. Over the next 20 years I would like to see green spaces on major streets. Especially where special events (like Blues Fest) are held to have green spaces for resting and getting away from the concrete areas. Green spaces bring a spark of joy to everyone’s day as we mostly see buildings and concrete normally.
0 comment9Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years agoMore Trees
We need to focus on more trees in the city. I am seeing more and more taken down just to be replaced by apartments. Yes the city needs more housing but with that housing we should not be losing trees and green spaces we should be adding them. If the city does well addressing this issue, in 20 years I see the city being greener and with a greater number of population. A place where more want to live their whole life.
0 comment1Street Team#almost 2 years 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 comments8Street Team#almost 2 years agoMental health resources
Me and my family recently moved from Toronto just to get that homely experience from here. I wanted a peaceful life and Kitchener has not put me down until now. When city plans , let them plan giving more importance to mental health resources. That will help people’s output to the society. Mental health programs should be motivated in community centres, schools even at work place bring a good results.
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Public Engagement
almost 2 years 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 Interviewalmost 2 years 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 Interviewalmost 2 years 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 Interviewalmost 2 years agoFree in the moment
I decided to take part in todays interview with the Street Team because I had the free time well watching my kids at the splash pad. I saw it as an opportunity in the moment where if I didn’t participate now I would forget to go online and miss my chance at getting my word out there.
0 comment0mom-of-3almost 2 years agoMaking a difference
I think that people don't think their input is important in part because people share ideas, but changes take a long time to implement, even when they are chosen. Maybe explaining the process for decision making and the timelines that go along with that would help people better understand how their ideas are being used. I chose to share my ideas today because I got an email from engage wr and posting was easy and anonymous. In our rather volatile culture it's easier for shy/quiet people to share ideas in an anonymous way and see that all ideas are valued! This forum seems great for that. I believe that our community can change for the better when people feel heard because it leads to greater feelings of inclusion and value for individuals, shared goals to work towards as a community, and that more voices lead to more varied and better ideas.
0 comment1Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years agoMore engagement with the heads of the city (such as The Mayor)
I would like to be able to talk with the higher officials of the city directly more often. If we talk directly with these individuals the residents will feel their message is getting through more and the officials will get that very important person to person engagement with the residents they are representing.
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Recreation and Leisure Programs and Services
almost 2 years 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?
Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years agoPeople are free to do what they want
I like the freedom the people have to accessing recreation services in the city. This event (Blues Fest) is a great event and everyone is welcome. Back in my country the ease of access to events like this are hard and it’s nice to have the option here.
0 comment1Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years 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 Interviewalmost 2 years agoProgram Availability
I have a 3 year old daughter and I was trying to sign her up for soccer and swimming but it was a huge challenge as you had to be on the website right when registration opened to get a spot. I talked with other Moms about this topic and they felt the same way. Also on this topic I found that the only availability for the programs were on week nights and not weekends as those filled up the fastest. I didn’t want to sign up my daughter for week nights as I work out of town and am very tired when these times came around during the day.
0 comment0Street Team#almost 2 years agoSummer activities
Summer is the time where people are mostly outdoors. And there should be more programs added (it can be outside)like more sport activities for adults and kids.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years agoAffordable for Seniors
I am an older women and can’t afford to participate in these recreations activities provided.
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Urban Growth
almost 2 years 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 Interviewalmost 2 years agoMore challenging parks
As the city grows year after year we need to plan on building and having parks for all age groups. Parks for the really young, children, youth, and adolescents. Parks for all the ages the city defines outer population as. This will spread out the population more and create safer and less stressful environment for parents on different age groups. This will change many different things about the city for the better, including well-being, park safely, parents concerns, etc. many more I can’t think of at the moment. But I see this as a huge step forward for the city if we are talking about the next 20 years.
0 comment0Street Team#almost 2 years agoCannabis - do we really need this much stores?
We are new to Kitchener and we really liked this city. Staying in downtown one thing that concerns us is the number of Cannabis stores in these streets. We can see lots of these stores more than grocery stores. We think that this is one of the reason why there are more homeless people around Duke street and King street. Why don’t City authorities limit giving licence to such stores. - Swetha and Celeste
0 comment0Street Team#almost 2 years agoGood possibility of urban growth
This city is efficient to occupy more people if we have a good infrastructure which is affordable. Which need a good planning and the authorities need to think by calculating the pros and cons. So in 20years we can be one of the best city to live in Ontario.
0 comment0Street Team#almost 2 years agoRoad construction taking so long
I find it’s difficult to commute in some parts of the city like Fisherhallman/ Bleams to Fisherhallman/Zebra. Also I at Huron causing inconvenience as it’s the busiest area in Kitchener
0 comment0Street Team#almost 2 years 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
almost 2 years 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?
Kitchener Residentalmost 2 years agoParking on street & fireworks
Restrict parking on the streets to the way City of Waterloo is (only a couple overnights/year). With cars parked on every boulevard, it makes the early morning drives dangerous as two-way roads are down to one-way roads for long stretches (in Williamsburg/Laurentian West). Fireworks are out of control in spring/summer. Going off constantly from 8 or 9pm until almost midnight. Enforce the bylaw & don't allow firework sales within the city.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years agoGreeks Maintenance
My family and I live on a greek and it needs to be maintained/built up better. We are sinking into it. 5e city needs to plan towards better erosion management and maintenance. When purchasing a home this should not be my concern as it is not land I own.
0 comment0Street Team#almost 2 years agoRecreational programs are wonderful
City run programs are incredible. We get a vast variety of programs accessible. Make it affordable for everyone. No one should sit back because of the fees.
0 comment0Street Team#almost 2 years agoVictoria park not clean and safe
I am a mother for 2 kids. Usually during summer I take my kids to Victoria park. But this year, I didn’t take them there because it’s no longer a safe place to go and enjoy the weather because of homeless people intervention.Victoria park is losing its beauty. The water in the lake is getting dirty. It’s high time for city council to act. Get them a open space outside downtown and rehabilitate them.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years agoMore frequent Garbage Removal
The city need more frequent garbage removal. We need to go back to being able to put our garbage out every week instead of every other week. It stinks up our house and attracts flys.
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Housing Affordability
almost 2 years 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 Interviewalmost 2 years agoIncome Geared Housing
The city needs to work towards more income geared housing. Need lower rent to make things more affordable in their life.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years agoMore single apartments for those that are moving into the city from out of town and country.
People that are moving in from other cities and countries are finding it hard to afford single apartments. They are finding that the only affordable way of living is with other roommates and at times those roommates are new individuals they have not met before. This leads to an environment that is not as comfortable as single apartments would be. In the future we would like to see the city plan for more affordable housing for those moving into the city to make the place feel more like a home.
0 comment1Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years 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.
0 comment1Street Team Interviewalmost 2 years agoPrices are WAY to high
Prices over the years since we ought our house have gone up 4.5 times. We have a 35 year old son who has a good income job but struggles to afford a house. People need a house but they are not even close to being affordable to have a low stress living.
0 comment1Kitchener Nativealmost 2 years agoHomeless camps
While empathetic to the growing numbers of homeless people in our city, allowing camps to pop up everywhere is not an acceptable solution. The city is negatively impacted by this in many ways. A variety of suitable locations for these people to live and get the help and supports they need has to be a top priority. Tiny home communities, converted motels, flexible group housing facilities, working farms etc... all with regular on-site social workers are a necessity. These people need help and opportunities to turn their lives around and that starts with having a suitable place to live, not in a tent on our city streets.
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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