Simon O’Byrne Biography

Simon O’Byrne Biography

Simon O’Byrne
Vice President
Stantec

Simon O’Byrne

Simon is a professional urban planner with experience in a wide range of current and long-range planning projects. He has provided strategic input and has led multi-disciplinary teams in the planning and successful delivery of large, complex and politically charged projects. Simon’s experience ranges from regional land use and economic development studies to detailed design, public consultation and transit oriented development planning. Notable projects have included intensive urban revitalization in the Bronx, New York, the Downtown Arena and Entertainment District in Edmonton, the Capital Region Land Use Plan and the Government of Alberta’s Lower Athabasca Regional Plan. In addition, Simon has been the principal planner on many new communities throughout the Capital Region.

Within Stantec, Simon is the Practice Leader for Urban Planning, and is responsible for strategically growing this discipline throughout all of its offices.

In addition to Simon’s professional experience he volunteers with the following: Greater Edmonton Regional Chamber of Commerce (serving as Chair), Edmonton Economic Development Corporation’s ONEdmonton Downtown Vibrancy Task Force (serving as Chair), University of Alberta School of Urban Planning Committee (serving as Chair), Board of Directors of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Urban Development Institute, Habitat for Humanity, City of Edmonton’s Winter Cities Exploration Forum, City of Edmonton’s Renewable Energy Task Force, City of Edmonton’s Task Force on Community Sustainability (TFCS), and the Local Business in Community sub-Committee of the TFCS (serving as Chair). This volunteer experience has enabled him to have a well-rounded, comprehensive and practical understanding of many socio-economic, political, financing, and sustainability issues.

Simon’s unique background and experience give him considerable knowledge in the areas of sustainable development, regional planning, economic development, transit oriented development, and innovative private/public partnerships. Well recognized as an urban planning expert, he is frequently quoted in the media and often speaks to professional, community and leadership groups.

Simon has a Master of City Planning Degree from the University of Manitoba. He has also completed a Master of Science in Environmental Planning scholarly exchange at the Pratt Institute in New York City. Simon’s first degree was a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta.

Thank you to MCAP Service Corporation, who kindly contributed $20,000 - donating $5 for every signature to our Platform and matching all individual contributions - following the launch of our National Platform on Affordable Housing. In total, $41,525 has been donated to help us reach the commitments set forth in our Platform, all with the goal of transforming the lives of more low-income families through the hand of homeownership.