School of Urban and Regional Planning

Biography:

Research Interests

Community development practices in Latin America, Tourism development

Teaching interests

International development, community development, tourism planning
Decision-making theory and dispute resolution

Philosophy of teaching

"Engaging students and building as much as possible on their realities"

Professor Altrows joined the faculty in 1978. After completing his Masters in Urban Planning at the Université de Montréal, he worked with a private consulting firm in Montreal and then as a community planner with the City of Ottawa. Since joining the school, he has worked on a number of international development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. He has conducted training workshops for organizations involved in international sustainable development. His past and recent experiences include: training of Indonesian regional planners in community based strategic planning; training of Mexican planners and non-governmental agencies in community planning; and intercultural negotiation training for Latin American governments for the Canadian International Development Agency. From 1999 to 2004 he supervised and taught the Cuba Field Experience in Toronto and Havana. This interdisciplinary course involves Ryerson and Cuban students working together with Professors and practitioners in Havana on projects of high priority to the local communities. Examples of past projects include planning park improvements, investigating the needs of the elderly in a community and investigation the play space needs for children and teenagers.

Professor Altrows has also participated in training at a professional level in Intercultural negotiation including the training of the technical advisory department of the Colombian government.

Currently Professor Altrows is working with the Business Improvement Area of the India Bazaar community on a community tourism strategy. The advisory team includes Dr. Sandeep Kumar (this school), Dr. Marion Joppe - director of the school of tourism and Hospitality - University of Guelph and the Riverdale Business Community Centre.

Professor Altrows was a founding member of the Canadian Urban Institute and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Riverdale Community Business Centre.

Professor Altrows is fluent in French and Spanish and is
able to read and understand Brazilian Portuguese

KEY TO MEMBERSHIPS:

MCIP Member, Canadian Institute of Planners
RPP Registered Professional Planner
AICP American Institute of Certified Planners
OAA Ontario Associtation of Architects
MRAIC Member of Royal Architectural Institute of Canada