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Item Open Access Navigating Change: Planning for Societal and Spatial Transformations : Debates during the 12th AESOP Young Academics Conference(Routledge : Taylor and Francis Group, 2018) Spijkerboer, Rozanne Charlotte; Forrest, Steven Ashley; Hilbers, Anne MarelThis article presents a reflective report on the 12th AESOP Young Academics Conference, held at the University of Groningen from 26–29 March 2018, under the theme “Navigating Change: Planning for Societal and Spatial Transformations.” The conference gathered over 50 participants from more than 30 universities and organizations across Europe and the USA. The central aim was to explore how planning disciplines are addressing dynamic societal and spatial changes—ranging from environmental shifts and political instability to population and technological transformations. The article organizes the insights into three recurring themes: Framing Change “Framing” emerged as a bridging concept connecting how changes are understood (analytically) and how responses are designed (normatively). Planners must balance imagination for the future with awareness of historical context and community experiences. Widening Roles of Planners, Policymakers, and Citizens Presenters emphasized growing citizen involvement in planning, decentralization of responsibilities, and the need for respectful, emotion-aware, inclusive engagement. Planning must now consider how citizen framing, experience, and networks shape outcomes. Power Relations in Change Processes Several contributions analyzed how planning may unintentionally reproduce social inequalities. Keynote and panel discussions stressed the need to regain public trust by ensuring fairness, empowerment, and shared ownership in planning decisions. The authors conclude that planners must reflect on their own role—as framers, facilitators, and respectful collaborators. Future research should consider whether current planning tools and policies reproduce old power dynamics and how planners can adapt to foster trust and inclusivity.