Navigating in unknown waters: planners’ involvement in negotiated developer obligations in Turkey

This study provides a comprehensive look at the actual, self-perceived, and aspired role of planners in the NDO-making process in Turkey where planners are torn between plan-led legislation and development-led practice. Drawing on the findings of 30 semi-structured interviews, the study reveals that planners’ involvement in NDO-making varies based on the professional setting they work in. Despite the different roles they play in the NDO-making process, planners believe that their involvement is limited to a purely technical role, whereas they aspire to a more collaborative role. This points to inconsistencies in the actual, self-perceived, and aspired roles of planners.