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September 21 and 22
2 days, 2 disciplines, 2 ways to participate – defining our professional roles and uniting to build more equitable, accessible and inspired communities.
#2GETHER2022
Kitchener has identified 12 established residential neighbourhoods worthy of conservation as cultural heritage landscapes (CHLs). These neighbourhoods maintain a high degree of heritage integrity and represent the planning concepts and housing styles of the period in which they were developed. The City analyzed central neighbourhood CHLs and identified a suite of heritage and planning tools for conservation through a larger neighbourhood planning review and secondary plan process. As part of the City’s secondary plan process, planners used technology to inform opportunities to balance growth and development with CHL conservation objectives. Traditional fieldwork was undertaken and enhanced with GIS, 3D modelling, and lidar imagery. A range of data sets were viewed on Onpoint (the City’s GIS) including, but not limited to, building age, contour lines, and aerial photography. The existing built form was generated in a 3D model and the lidar imagery generated the current tree canopy. The fieldwork results combined with the above technological tools were instrumental in testing various land use scenarios to evaluate where proposed land use and zoning could conflict with CHL conservation interests. In addition to the use of technology to inform land use and zoning decisions within the identified CHLs, residents were invited to actively engage in the larger neighbourhood planning review process. The public engagement process was layered with multiple locations, formats, and opportunities for residents to participate. Heritage planning staff worked collaboratively with urban design staff to help guide the development of resident-led neighbourhood-specific urban design guidelines. These guidelines aimed to conserve and enhance the established character in each specific neighbourhood and to achieve both CHL conservation and urban design objectives. The combination of technology and resident engagement provided a unique approach to CHL conservation.