CIVITAS Studio was founded in Vancouver in 1988 by Joe Hruda. Its first appointment was as Lead Master Planner/Urban Designer for Coal Harbour. This visionary project transformed railway/industrial land into a thriving waterfront neighborhood at the heart of the City Coal Harbour Waterfront District. CIVITAS' innovative approach to high-density building forms, a central waterfront public park and a high-density residential neighbourhood set a ground-breaking urban design precedent for its signature built-form and green communities and great meeting places in Vancouver.

CIVITAS achieved international acclaim by winning a prestigious national design competition in Australia. This victory led to its appointment to prepare the Master Plan and Design Guidelines for Rouse Hill Town Centre in NW Sydney. Today, Rouse Hill stands as a benchmark in town center developments, integrating a new Regional Rail Transit station with commercial, residential, education, and retail uses. A community centre and library anchor the Town Square, and focused around a main street with outdoor shopping experiences. The First of its kind in Australia. Not only does it provide a high-quality public domain, but it's also a retail success story. This achievement marked the beginning of a continuing partnership with the GPT Group, involving numerous subsequent town center mixed use developments.

CIVITAS was commissioned by Nandu Real Estate to be the master planner for the renowned Liangzhu New Town in Hangzhou, China. Beyond creating an idyllic lifestyle, Liangzhu New Town symbolizes the potential for harmonious coexistence between people, nature, informed by the historic agricultural village along the banks of the Liangzhu River tributary. It represented an approach to an early Green Community in China which received National Recognition and Awards. 

CIVITAS received an invitation to lead the master planning efforts for the Abu Dhabi Vision Plan 2030, a monumental project focused on long-term urban development and growth in the capital city. This visionary plan, balancing environmental, economic, and cultural aspects, established a 20-year vision for Abu Dhabi. Following the success of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, CIVITAS was contracted to prepare its involvement by shaping the Capital City District Master Plan, marking a pivotal moment in the firm's entry into the United Arab Emirates’ Master Plans projects in Dubai.

In 2022, CIVITAS was selected from an international group of consultants and embarked on an exciting journey with QIDDIYA, an entertainment mega project in Riyadh. CIVITAS undertook the master plans for the first two communities within QIDDIYA, contributing to the development of an innovative, and integrated community within its spectacular natural setting that surrounds it.

CIVITAS continues its work involvement with Concord Pacific, Canada's largest community builder. We are actively involved in three major developments in Vancouver: Northeast False Creek Waterfront District, the Redevelopment of the Former Saint Paul’s Hospital site, and the former Molson Brewery Site on Burrard St. These projects represent a commitment to transforming the fabric of Vancouver's urban landscape, ensuring a thriving future for the city and its residents.