Planning practice and academic knowledge: different perspectives of urban planners in Turkey1

Abstract

This empirical study discusses the relationship between theory and practice in planning in Turkey. Drawing on the perspectives of private office planners, municipal planners, and academicians, this paper contributes to research into the relationship between academic knowledge and practice in urban planning. The study argues that planning practice in Turkey does not match very well to current approaches or new conceptual discussions about planning. By focusing on the relationship between theory and practice, this study explores the relationship between academic knowledge and planning practice and why there is a disconnection in Turkey. The first reason is the lack of communication and cooperation between the three groups of planners. Secondly, planning in Turkey is dominated by outdated laws, rules, and regulations and current theoretical discussions cannot infiltrate planning practice.