Gwyn Symmons — Co-Founder + Leadership Advisor

"Our clients trust our advice & experience."

Gwyn Symmons, Registered Professional Planner and Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners, was co-founder of CitySpaces with Linda Allen and, with Linda, transferred ownership of the company to Jada and Noha in 2020. Gwyn retired from the company at the end of the 2022, but continues to provide periodic advice. 

Gwyn’s career commenced in the City of Manchester, UK in 1971 as a town planner, and moved to Canada in 1976 to join the City of Ottawa as it’s Housing Planner. In 1979, he became Ottawa’s Director of Policy, Project Implementation, and Third Sector Liaison helping to setup the City’s non-profit housing corporation – City Living. In 1983, Gwyn moved to Victoria BC to become the General Manager for the new Capital Region Housing Corporation. Three years later, he joined Linda Allen in the creation of CitySpaces. 

During his time with CitySpaces, Gwyn managed many community planning studies, master plans, and policy documents, including the Glendale Lands, Royal Bay, Mount View Heights, and River Landing in Saskatoon. 

Gwyn also acted as Project Manager for the development of many social housing projects and prepared guideline documents on social housing and policy development. He also undertook the overall project management for a variety of special projects including the Pacific Institute for Sports Education, Trades and Technology Centre at Camosun College, new Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, and Pacific Autism Family Centre in Richmond. 

Gwyn also managed the preparation of business plans for projects that led to successful funding and development by others including the new Kitsilano Secondary School and both BCIT’s Health Science building and new Trades and Technology Complex. Together with Deane Strongitharm,  Gwyn setup and managed the first year of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority operations overseeing the transfer of federal facilities and first upgrades to docks at Ogden Point. 

INVOLVEMENT