The City of Kitchener recently approved Complete Streets Kitchener: Streets for All. Upon invitation by the City of Kitchener, TCAT provided an objective, third-party peer review of the guidelines which played a role in Council approval.
The TCAT team analyzed the guidelines according to the ten elements of an ideal Complete Streets policy as identified by the National Complete Streets Coalition, conducted a best practice review comparing Kitchener’s guidelines to other leading guidelines, and identified potential gaps and strengths. Overall we concluded that Kitchener’s new Complete Streets Guidelines were developed in alignment with the ten elements and that they use the most recent and best design criteria for making streets safe, comfortable and convenient for all. Kudos to Kitchener!
In addition to approving the Complete Streets guidelines, Kitchener City Council also passed the following motions:
- The Guidelines are to be applied to the design of future street reconstruction projects.
- The Complete Streets scorecard will be incorporated into street reconstruction project planning and reporting.
- Staff are directed to update the city’s Development Manual to incorporate the Complete Streets vision, goals, principles and street designs into new developments.
- Staff will report back to City Council on progress in 2024.
The staff report of the Complete Streets guidelines and appendices are here and minutes are found here.