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.
-
Share Sustainability on Facebook Share Sustainability on Twitter Share Sustainability on Linkedin Email Sustainability link
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?
Kitchener Residentover 1 year agoWork from home, less consumption.
Continue to allow/support working from home, as it reduces cars on the road. Focus on reduction of waste.
0 comment1Street Team#over 1 year agoOur City should a place for vacation
We don’t want to go to any where else on our vacation but to stay in Kitchener. For that we need more parks for camping, no cutting of woods but grown big tall trees for future. More farm houses, grow chicken and want to go wild. Fishing should be allowed at Victoria park lake. - Shane (12), Noah (10), Jackson (6)
0 comment1Sandra Wismerover 1 year agoIncrease the tree canopy to over40% and create a bylaw for cutting down trees
Increasing Kitchener’s tree canopy has long term benefits for all!!! Citizens should not be allowed to cut trees down unless they go through a regulated process. Every tree down should be replaced!!!
0 comment7Street Team#over 1 year agoLife of tree
Trees are good in our community but we have to be also aware of tree life. There are trees in some parks and trails that doesn’t have leaves on it all durin spring and summer. Those trees need to cut it down . If not when we have a storm it can cost even life too- Lianne Chean
0 comment1Street Team#over 1 year agoMore Electric scooters🛴
Let down town see people with more electric scooter. Make it affordable for everyone
0 comment3 -
Share Public Engagement on Facebook Share Public Engagement on Twitter Share Public Engagement on Linkedin Email Public Engagement link
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 comment2Matt Bover 1 year agoQuarterly Survey
Kitcheners Citizens Mandate Survey
1 comment0Street Team#over 1 year agoSmall voices can make difference
Being a Kitchener resident it’s my responsibility to support the governing body when they ask the public know our views and discomfort in their ruling.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoPublic Engagement Importance
Public engagement is important to me because I have lived here my entire life. I feel like that if we get more and more of the public to engage with the cities decisions more will be done about the pressing matters. I am motivated to engage with the city as I see this place as home and I would love to see our city as an example city for others around the province. I feel others think their input is not heard by the city because they don’t see enough of the other inputs around the city. For example, they might see a topic a certain way then others. And with this project of asking the residents through the street team I feel like those that don’t see their input make a difference will now as they are able to see all the other responses from other residents. The knowledge of others having the same idea as another is huge to getting input through as everyone sees a topic differently and when put together it can create a huge topic that catches the eyes of the city.
0 comment2Street Team#over 1 year agoSurveys doesn’t bring changes.
As far as I know sr yes and interviews doesn’t make things convenient. We had a sidewalks survey. And it didn’t bring forth a good decision. City counsel have plans already and then why they have to show these?
0 comment0 -
Share Recreation and Leisure Programs and Services on Facebook Share Recreation and Leisure Programs and Services on Twitter Share Recreation and Leisure Programs and Services on Linkedin Email Recreation and Leisure Programs and Services link
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?
Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoRecreation in 20 years
Recreation in 20 years will look different for my family as our kids will be adults. I don’t know how the city does it right now but in 20 years it would be nice to see a more structured and accessible way to register for recreation and rep teams of sports. I am interested in Volleyball as I sit here looking at McLennan parks courts. Something to get us out of the house.
0 comment0mom-of-3over 1 year agomore activities with less strict age restrictions
Our community centre has many activities for adults and children. I would love to see the age restrictions eased so that siblings and non-same-aged friends can be in classes together. I'm not sure that there is a good reason why a 5 year old can join a beginner ballet class but a 4 and a half year old can't...parents should be able to chose the activities that they think are best for their child.
0 comment0Kitchener Nativeover 1 year agoCreative ways to fund free recreation and leisure for youth
Engagement in recreation and leisure programs for youth in our city would improve mental health, reduce youth crime and encourage positive outcomes long term for youth. In order to do this the programs need to be expanded, have proper oversight to ensure quality and be free. To cover the costs, make new developers in the city pay a levy for this. These developers are getting rich by building in our city and the result of their building here is an increased population with increased needs to ensure the well-being of our growing population. So requiring them to make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of youth in our community makes sense. Big businesses could also be required to do the same - Amazon for example!
0 comment0Street Team#over 1 year agoKids events
We are here from different cultures and all parents are looking to spread those cultural values into their children.City should arrange programs that involves kids to help them understand the value of every culture. This will make them understand their fellow students and accept other kids when they play in the streets. Teach also the history of Kitchener and Canadian culture which they need to adopt- Joan
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoServices catered more towards new immigrants and toddlers to make friends and get to know the community.
I landed here about 1 month ago and am very new to the city. I am here today at the Victoria Hills community centre looking to find a recreation service for my 4 year old daughter. I am finding it hard to find a program for her to get to learn the language of English and a program that is affordable for a new immigrant like my wife and myself. We are not that good at speaking English right now and would like to find affordable services for our family to participate in to make friends and get to know the community. I would like to have a program where I can leave my 4 year old daughter and be able to feel comfortable with where she is when I am not around. I would like to be able to make this city feel like a home for my family as my wife studies in school.
0 comment0 -
Share Urban Growth on Facebook Share Urban Growth on Twitter Share Urban Growth on Linkedin Email Urban Growth link
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#over 1 year 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 Interviewover 1 year agoMaintain growth
My family and I have recently lived in Toronto and moved here 2 months ago. Over the past 2 months we have come to love the city of Kitchener over Toronto. This is because it is not as busy and more livable as a family. We would love the city of Kitchener to maintain growth but not reach the level of busyness as Toronto is.
1 comment0mom-of-3over 1 year agoEnsure that each community has equal access to amentities. Families shouldn't have to drive across town to use a swimming pool/tennis court.
0 comment3Street 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 comment2Calico Jackover 1 year agoImprove non-car transport modes in suburbs. Increase density in suburbs.
You shouldn't only prioritize transit and cycling expansions in the downtown core, while leaving the suburbs to be as dead and car dependent as they already are. I live in a newer suburban development near the city border, and it's been here for 7-8 years and still only gets one bus that doesn't run on weekends (route 33), and literally no cycling/sidewalk connections into the city. We need to stop focusing solely on cars when it comes to the suburbs, prioritize transit and cycling as well. This will improve the quality of life of people living in the suburbs who won't have to drive as much and people in the city core who won't have to deal with suburbanites polluting downtown with their cars. Transit/cycling routes also have more capacity than car lanes, which will make it easier to intensify and bring much needed middle-to-high density development into the lowest density areas of the city.
0 comment0 - When it comes to urban growth, what is the most important for us to focus on and why?
-
Share Delivering City Services on Facebook Share Delivering City Services on Twitter Share Delivering City Services on Linkedin Email Delivering City Services link
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 agoGarbage pick up on trails and parks
There are a lot of back field trials that people love to walk on around the city and I love that but there needs to be more city patrol on garbage pick up and garbage bin placement. I have noticed that some garbage bins are placed near residents backyard fences and when people are walking their dogs they throw their poop bags at the garbage bin and it then lays there beside the residents fences. It’s starts to smell bad and shouldn’t have to be an issue the residents of the houses have to deal with. So we need to plan on more garbage bins and removal in the coming years.
0 comment0future 4 allover 1 year agoAdditional Hospitals required
Planning for the future more hospitals are needed to serve and secure the health of the people
3 comments4Street team (H)over 1 year agoMore hospitals and faster services.
I live 20 minutes from both hospitals, and if I have an emergency, it takes me nearly 30 to 40 minutes to get there. Instead of waiting hours in an emergency waiting area, we need more hospitals and faster service.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoBylaw enforcement for parking
Every week out front of the church across the street from my house there is a large truck that parks illiegaly and it makes it hard for my family to get out of our driveway with our vehicles. I would like to see more parking enforcement on weekends in areas not covered that much. It’s not all downtown Kitchener that needs enforcement it’s the whole city. Because when I call about it they come after the truck has left. We need regular surveillance of roads for illegal parking. I see it all over town and never enforced.
0 comment0Street Team Interviewover 1 year agoRoad Maintenance
Every year we have an issue of not filling potholes after the winter months. The city should work towards attracting potholes around the city right as soon as it is possible to fill them after the snow melts away. Every pone complains about potholes which should make it issue number suppose when they arise. If the city does well addressing this issue over the next 20 years I would see very little potholes due to the city focusing one them for the first month after the snow melts and I would see larger road constructions around the city be started after the potholes are complete.
1 comment0 -
Share Housing Affordability on Facebook Share Housing Affordability on Twitter Share Housing Affordability on Linkedin Email Housing Affordability link
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?
Kitchener Nativeover 1 year 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.
0 comment0JeremyDTKover 1 year agoMake some big, concrete gestures for the climate emergency
Kitchener declared a climate emergency in 2019. Let's see some significant action to show we're taking it seriously, i.e. switching to green energy for city buildings
0 comment3Street team (H)over 1 year agoHomelessness in KW
Our city has seen an increase in the number of homeless people. I want the city to take attention of this and devise a plan to deal with it. Winter is almost here, we pay taxes every day, and it makes me so unhappy to see people sleeping outside in the cold.
0 comment0Street Team#over 1 year agoAffordable housing now and then
I am Helen . I moved to Kitchener 4 years before and for us we got a house to rent within our income limits. But that’s not the case for my friend who moved recently. They have to pay $1800 for 2 bedroom apartment and have 3 kids. It’s hard to get a rented house or apartment especially if only one parent is working.
0 comment0Shelbywover 1 year agoUnderstanding that Affordability Means Different Things to Different People
As others have already touched on, increasing diverse housing stock is critical. Although I am fortunate to be part of a modest two-income household, I still cannot afford to purchase a home in Kitchener. I currently rent, which is also becoming increasing unaffordable. However, as I walk around the downtown core, I am reminded how many people do not have access to even the most basic of housing. I think the topic of affordable housing often falls into one of two categories: subsidized social housing or housing for lower/middle class households. I think it's critical that the City of Kitchener prioritize both.
0 comment1
Lifecycle
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
Phone 519-741-2200 x 7059 Email Angie.Fritz-Walters@kitchener.ca