Project: King Street, Pedestrian-First Streetscape
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Products: Lighted Removable Bollards and Fixed Bollards
Media: Landscape Architect, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, Complete Streets for Canada
Kitchener King Street and City Centre District
IBI Group was retained by the City of Kitchener in 2007 to redesign the core streets in the downtown, which involved developing a Streetscape Master Plan for King Street and the City Centre District. The plan was based on the principle that an investment in high quality public realm will serve as a catalyst for private sector investment, intensification and renewal of the City Centre District in the downtown Kitchener core.
The project was completed in the Fall of 2010, after two years of construction. It was successful in working with the Downtown BIA as well as coordinating with several of the major events that take place in the downtown core including; Cruising on King Street, Bluesfest and Oktoberfest.
The project showcases several innovative design features including; removable bollards to allow for flexible sidewalk/parking and road closures, infiltration grates to direct stormwater runoff to planter beds and semi mountable curbs to improve pedestrian accessibility. Other key elements include the doubling of the urban street tree canopy, generously wide sidewalks, two revitalized public plazas, various seating types, bike racks, and public art that all promote a vibrant pedestrian-friendly streetscape.
Overall the project was an enormous success as recognized by being awarded the “Green Streets Canada – 2008/09” by Tree Canada, the “Community Places Award – 2010” by The International Making Cities Liveable organization and a Unilock Streetscape Award 2011.
