Kitchener 2051

The deadline to complete the online activities has been extended until Friday, Nov. 22. Whether you prefer to complete a survey, map out where and how you think the city should grow, make a climate pledge, or share your vision for Kitchener – there’s a way for everyone to get involved!

How you can take part:

Share your ideas and aspirations for Kitchener 2051 through one or all of these online activities!

Answer the survey: Share your thoughts on the what’s most important for Kitchener 2051.

Add to the map: Show us where and how you think Kitchener should grow and develop.

Speakers Corner: Tell us your story or vision for what a connected, green, thriving, and caring Kitchener looks like in 2051.

Make a climate pledge: What is one thing you will do to help combat climate change? Add your commitment.

We are pleased to announce the first event in the Kitchener 2051 speaker series!

Speakers Series: Ability and Mobility

Tuesday, Nov. 19

6 to 8 p.m.

Kitchener Public Library - Central Branch

Please register

Join us for a moderated panel discussion. We will explore "how we live and how we move" and "how we plan for community wellbeing". In particular, through the lenses of ability, mobility, neurodiversity, mental health, and equity.

A panel of experts and local residents will share perspectives on the theme: what does it mean to build a caring and connected city? They will also discuss how the design of our communities shapes our experiences within them. This is the first in a series of three speaker events held as part of Kitchener 2051 over the next year.

Panelists include:

• Dr. Samantha Biglieri
• Dr. Robin Mazumder
• Kathleen Vanderlinden
• a community member supported by KW Habilitation

Olivia Curtis, the City's Inclusion Services Coordinator will moderate the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ask questions.

This is a free event, but space is limited! Reserve your seat today

Event Schedule

• 6 p.m. Doors open and refreshments served
• 6:30 p.m. Panel discussion
• 7:30 p.m. Questions / Meet & Greet

About the Panelists

Samantha Biglieri

Dr. Samantha Biglieri, RPP, MCIP is an Assistant Professor in the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University and Director of the Health, Access + Planning Lab. As a Registered Professional Planner, her research uses critical approaches at the intersection of planning and health/wellbeing, making connections with practice to build inclusive and accessible communities. Her research explores planning issues related to aging, living with dementia, disability and accessibility. Dr. Biglieri's research and practice is concentrated in Waterloo Region, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, as well as rural communities in Ontario.

Robin Mazumder

Dr. Robin Mazumder is an environmental neuroscientist with a keen interest in how urban design impacts individual, community, and societal well-being. Robin is an outspoken advocate for healthy urban design and has given more than 60 invited talks internationally on the topic. He was named Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine in 2014, an “Edmontonian to Watch” in 2015 by Metro Edmonton, and in 2018 was awarded the University of Waterloo’s President’s Community Impact Award in recognition of his leadership and advocacy. In 2023, Robin was named the 2023 Zeidler-Evans Architecture of Health Lecturer by McMaster University. Robin is also passionate about science communication and has been interviewed by and written for major media publications, including the CBC, BBC, Huffington Post, Wired, and Vice. In 2024 he was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Technical University of Berlin, where he was part of the research platform Neurourbanism. Robin is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Future Cities Institute at the University of Waterloo, an Associate Fellow with the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria, and a Fellow with the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health.

Kathleen Vanderlinden

My name is Kathleen Vanderlinden, and I am a person living with dementia. I’m 60 years old. I was diagnosed with vascular dementia and early onset Alzheimer’s disease at 54. I had a stroke when I was 39 years old. I grew up in Toronto, and have lived in Waterloo for 22 years. I live at home with my husband. I have two sons. I am a co-researcher in a number of projects with the University of Waterloo, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the Alzheimer's Society of Waterloo-Wellington, including the 'Dementia-Capable Communities Waterloo Region' project.

KW Habilitation

KW Habilitation is a local not-for-profit organization that provides a wide range of individualized services and supports to children with any special need and adults with developmental disabilities. We believe that a good life is fostered through early learning supports, inclusive living services, community involvement, and employment supports. Our work is guided by our Vision Statement: “A community where everyone belongs and participates” and by our Mission Statement: “Together with our community, KW Habilitation inspires abilities to enrich the lives of children, youth, adults and families“.

As Kitchener grows and evolves, your input is crucial in shaping the Kitchener of 2051. We invite you to take part by engaging in a variety of online activities to gather your ideas and feedback. Whether you prefer to complete a survey, map out where and how you think the city should grow, make a climate pledge, or share your vision for Kitchener – there’s a way for everyone to get involved!

How you can take part:

Share your ideas and aspirations for Kitchener 2051 through one or all of these online activities! Activities close Thursday Oct. 31, 2024.

Answer the survey: Share your thoughts on the what’s most important for Kitchener 2051.

Add to the map: Show us where and how you think Kitchener should grow and develop.

Speakers Corner: Tell us your story or vision for what a connected, green, thriving, and caring Kitchener looks like in 2051.

Make a climate pledge: What is one thing you will do to help combat climate change? Add your commitment.

We are looking forward to seeing you at Gaukel Block Party! It's all happening this coming Saturday, Oct. 5 from 12 to 6 p.m. outside 44 Gaukel Street.

Here are some of the exciting activities and programs you can expect:

• Enjoy tasty and free food from Pabla’s Indian Cuisine and Café du Monde Creperie
• Head over to Red Raccoon Bike Rescue for a free bike tune up while you join the Block Party
• Bring a non-perishable food item or fresh produce for our Caring City Community Pantry, which will be donated to the Waterloo Region Food Bank and Community Fridge
• Stick around to catch the musical stylings of Elaquent, a Canadian hip hop beatmaker

We are asking – how can the changes unfolding in our community over the next 25 years benefit everyone?

Join us for an exciting Block Party in Downtown Kitchener on the Gaukel Block (beside 44 Gaukel) from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. It will be a fun fall day with neighbours joining interactive activities for all ages, along with free food and entertainment. It's also a chance to give input to shape our new Official Plan, Kitchener 2051. We look forward to sharing more details about the event as we get closer to the date!

The Block Party kicks off an extensive community conversation. An online survey will also launch the same day as the event. If you can’t attend, the online survey will be available from Oct. 5 until the end of the month.

We are also starting the Kitchener 2051 Speaker Series later this fall. Join us as we ask big questions about the future of Kitchener in 2051. Follow along for updates!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply to the Kitchener 2051 Community Working Group. We are thrilled to share that nearly 150 applications were received!. These will be carefully reviewed by our Selection Committee made up of Kitchener residents and City staff. All applicants will be notified of the Selection Committee’s decision.

Add your ideas

In the meantime, we are interested in hearing your ideas about what is joyful and what is challenging about our city. Your responses will help guide the content of our future conversations about the City's official plan.

Add your thoughts to our idea boards:

• What brings you joy in your community?
• What are the biggest challenges facing Kitchener?

We are looking for up to 30 volunteers to form the Kitchener 2051 Community Working Group!

Apply now

This group will support the creation of a new Official Plan that will guide the next generation of community-led transformation in Kitchener. We are seeking a dynamic mix of voices, perspectives, and experiences from across all wards of the city - including community members who are:

• Black
• Indigenous
• Racialized
• 2SLGBTQIA+
• People with disabilities
• Renters
• People who are or have experienced homelessness
• Housing instability
• Or otherwise equity-denied

The intersections of these identities and experiences are encouraged. Diverse voices and viewpoints will ensure that the project helps achieve the City’s vision of building a city for everyone where, together, we take care of the world around us – and each other.

To apply, and for a detailed position description and the working group terms of reference, visit kitchener.ca/volunteer

The deadline to apply is Saturday, August 3, 2024

We are looking forward to starting important city-building conversations in Fall 2024. Be sure to click the “Subscribe” button on this page to receive updates about upcoming in-person events and other ways to provide your input.