Kitchener lays out key strategic priorities for next two decades

The City of Kitchener has announced a new four-year strategic plan and 20-year vision statement.

City council approved both plans in Monday’s council meeting.

Mayor of Kitchener Berry Vrbanovic told CityNews that the vision statement is roadmap toward “building a city for everyone where we take care of the world around us and eachother.”

“It’s certainly very aspirational,” said the Mayor. “People are very much looking at building an inclusive city and one where we make sure everyone feels like they belong and have a role to play.”

The scope of the strategic plan was determined with extensive community engagement. Over 1000 Kitchener residents were surveyed over the phone and interviewed on the street. City staff also recruited 36 volunteers from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to form a resident panel for the first time.

The plan lays out five key priorities. Building a connected city, cultivating a green city, creating an economically thriving city, fostering a caring city, and stewarding a better city.

Vrbanovic said each of these areas are focused on things that were identified through community engagement.

“Some of the things that are on the plate is a localized transportation safety improvement program, implementing our Tree Canopy Target plan, implementing the health medical technology innovation campus with the University of Waterloo as well as our new creative industry school with Conestoga College.”

Although Vrbanovic told CityNews no single priority is more important than another, he shared that the implementation of Housing For All and a Grand River parks strategy have him most excited.

Vrbanovic added that he is grateful for all the people who showed interest and engaged with the city over the past 18 months.

You can read more here.