What we heard in phase two about the DTK Vision

Thank you to everyone who took part in our consultation on the Downtown Kitchener Vision this year. This process included two engagement phases. In Phase One, the Downtown Community Working Group (DCWG) shaped and helped deliver a fulsome community engagement process to gather input from over 2,600 individuals on their hopes and aspirations for Downtown Kitchener. The DCWG then used input collected in Phase One to draft a vision and set of guiding principles. Phase Two of engagement presented the draft vision and principles to the community for feedback, which took place this past summer.

A full report on the outcomes of the second phase of our engagement process is now available in the Downtown Kitchener Vision and Principles Phase Two Engagement Summary.

Here are a few key messages that emerged throughout, in no specific order:

• A human-centric lens is the correct approach to revitalizing downtown.
• Improved access to affordable housing is integral to the success of downtown.
• Access to clean and safe green space is a priority for most community members.
• Connections to downtown and within downtown, must be safe, affordable, and accessible.
• The vision and principles should be unique to downtown Kitchener.

We expect to present the final vision for downtown Kitchener to City Council in the coming weeks. We will add a link to the agenda and staff report on this page once they are available.