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In the last two-three decades, the global society have gone through major structural transformations that have affected the local city in different ways. Advanced technology, improved modes of transportation and a global economy have all contributed to an increasing mobility of people, companies and capital. Consequently, the entrepreneurial view of urban growth has led to an inter-urban competition and placemakeing as instrument in the endeavor to attract people to the city.  During the last years, the public places in the city center of Umeå have changed its structure. The aim of this thesis is to investigate whether there is a substantial difference of opinion between Umeå municipality´s representation of problems in the public space and the public opinion of the rebuilding of Rådhustorget and its function as a public space. Due to the aim, the study consists of two research subjects. One is a critical analysis of a policy document with Carol Bacchi´s “What´s the problem represented to be” – method as a tool. The second research subject is a questionnaire with the goal to investigate the opinion of the rebuilding of Rådhustorget according to 175 respondents. The result shows that there is a substantial difference of opinion between the municipality´s view of the public space of Rådhustorget and the received result from the questionnaire. Most evident is the disagreements whether the former Rådhustorget could be seen as a problematic public place or not.

In a seemingly endlessly urbanizing world, the planning field must not forget our cities’ hinterlands and rural regions. Demographic shifts, dying centers, lack of amenities and insufficient mobility options are just a few of the struggles the periphery is facing. With the help of the case study site Pförring, Germany, this report analyzes regional and local plans in relation to social aspects of sustainability and resilience. The results are the identification of crucial elements for successful transformation: vision, competence, support, action, monitoring and adjustment, depicted as an interlinked system of two interactive loops.

The global weakening of nation states has isolated cities. On the other hand, the authority of local administrations has been increasing rapidly. Urban planning responsibility is under the authority of local governments. Due to intense competition for attractive solutions, local authorities have tended to use methods that produce immediate results. Therefore, planning approach has been changing and in place of comprehensive plans, we find quick fix projects. According to comprehensive planning approach and the planning legislation in Turkey, urban plans should be made according to the principle of planning hierarchy. This principle defines the consistency of plans in different scales and refers to the holistic principle of urban planning. However, local governments have adopted project-based policy implemented in the form of urban transformation. This policy leads to practical applications that contradict the principles of the discipline of urban planning. Then, it forms a basis for negative results such as unplanned development. This study focuses on projects in Ankara and their consistency with upper scale plans in order to make a rational assessment of urban transformation projects. This thesis aims to show how local authorities and new legislative frameworks encourage urban transformation while ignoring the principle of planning hierarchy in case of Ankara. Local governments prefer project-based policy since development serves the benefit of investors and therefore municipalities. To avoid this situation, legislation should be examined and laws that lead to conflicting investments of authority should be simplified. Additionally, through law, planning agenda should be focused on the structural planning approach.