ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study which shows that how rich the conception of space is and that the representations of space need to transcend institutionalized notions of space. It also shows how these two forms of analysis can be successfully combined and provides a valid support of urban imagining, making use of novel approaches like scenarios in planning and planning evaluation. In the Izmir case, the scenario-building approach seems to be more useful and relevant for the real cognitive and behavioural attitudes of participating agents. It seems to have a higher adherence to real life complexity and social expectations. In conventional spatial planning the emphasis is on empirical studies examining various problems currently existing in the use or misuse of space. Visualising spatial transformation with the help of scenarios or other forms of futures studies redresses some of the built-in restrictions in the perception and subsequently in the transformation of space.
