From "Busy Berlin" to Tech Corridor: Industry Clusters Then and Now
Details
Availability:
Back in Spring/Summer 2023!
By private group request
Price: $30/person (+ booking fee $1.80)
Duration: 90 minutes
Meeting Location: Francis Green, corner of King St. West & Francis Street
Distance Covered: 2.1 km
The walk ends at King & Breithaupt, at the Google building
Led by: Mary Sehl
Accessibility: Route follows paved surfaces on city sidewaalks. Accessible for scooters & wheelchairs.
We think of business or industry “clusters” as a modern phenomenon, with Waterloo Region’s technology cluster as a prime example. Yet, as we walk through Downtown Kitchener’s Innovation District, we follow the footsteps of the people of “Busy Berlin,” a largely German 19th century community that worked in equally successful clusters for their time.
They left a legacy of yellow-brick buildings transformed from the factories of yesterday to meet the needs of today’s tech sector. They also left us a culture of innovation and community building. We will explore those early clusters and the sometimes forgotten but often fascinating people and stories behind them.
Busy Berlin Walking Tour Details
- Tickets must be purchased in advance
- Maximum 20 people per walk
- This walk begins at Francis Green on King Street West. It ends at King St & Breithaupt, two blocks away.
- We walk rain or shine or snow so dress for the weather! If it looks like rain, bring an umbrella. If it’s cold, wear a few extra layers.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes (i.e. no flip flops!)
- Arrive 5-10 minutes in advance to check in. If you arrive exactly when the walk starts, you’re already late!
- Our walking tours are face mask friendly – even though our walking tours are entirely outdoors, some guests may feel most comfortable wearing a mask – and we respect that!
Want to customize your Stroll with us?
We’d be happy to work with you to create the best experience possible.