About Us
CitySpaces is a leading provider of community planning and development consulting services throughout Western Canada and the North.
Our team of professional planners and development consultants is supported by specialists in policy, engagement, and design.
Our culture is grounded in collaboration and creativity and focused on delivering lasting value for our clients and the communities in which we consult. We are dedicated to making a tangible difference—working alongside municipalities, non-profits, and Indigenous communities to create positive and lasting impact through every project we undertake.
Celebrating 40 Years of CitySpaces
CitySpaces was founded in 1985 by Linda Allen and Gwyn Symmons with an enduring vision to make Canadian communities more inclusive, livable, and socially sustainable. Under their leadership, the CitySpaces team crafted strategies, plans, and policies that continue to guide planning and social-purpose development projects in Canada today. They were deeply committed to affordable housing, solutions to homelessness, and quality community planning. Forty years on, their legacy continues to shape CitySpaces’ practice, inspiring us to keep making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people and places we serve.
1985
Linda Allen establishes City Spaces Developments Ltd.
1986
CitySpaces Consulting Ltd. Is officially incorporated by Linda Allen (President). Linda is joined by Gwyn Symmons (Principal) and, together, they begin offering services in community planning and development consulting.
1987
CitySpaces establishes its first brick and mortar office in Victoria, BC.
1993
CitySpaces moves and opens a second office in Vancouver, BC.
1995
Linda Allen is elected as president of the Planning Institute of British Columbia, the institute’s second woman president.
2011
CitySpaces celebrates 25-years in business. Award: Victoria Commercial Building Award for Camas Gardens
2020
CitySpaces’ ownership is transferred to Jada Basi and Noha Sedky. Award: PIBC Silver Award for Excellence in Planning Practice – City and Urban Areas
2020/2021
Linda Allen and Gwyn Symmons become Lifetime Members of PIBC!
2022
Gwyn Symmons is inducted into the Canadian Institute of Planners College of Fellows.
2024
CitySpaces expands, moving into a new Vancouver office at 301-375 W 5th Avenue.
2025
CitySpaces celebrates 40-years in business!
Our Values
We Believe In
- Diversity of opinion, experience and backgrounds
- Being curious, collaborative, innovative, and creative
- Work that builds resilience in our communities and protects the earth for future generations
- Creating enduring, respectful, and reciprocal relationships with our clients and colleagues
- Customizing our services for our clients, focusing on positive outcomes that have long-lasting relevance
- Acting with integrity, upholding professional standards, and providing objective, independent advice
- Respecting the historical, traditional, and ancestral knowledge held by communities and offering our services where we add value or build capacity
- Promoting health, social well-being, and empowerment within our organization and for the communities we serve