While the changing dynamics of the space drive the spatial practices to change for keeping up with recent conditions, alternative approaches as an updated version of placemaking concept have emerged for exceeding limitations that are generated by privatisation, gentrification and conflicts of interests that harm the relationship between place and community. The idea suggests the required amount of intervention to prevent over or under design with the consideration of both social and physical issues and promotes user-oriented design while targeting to create a permenant change in attitudes. In this context, the study aims to explore, document, and understand the practices of alternative approaches that are practised with event design, game design, civic initiatives, participatory design, temporary- tactical design and adaptive reuse in the declining historic area, case of Historic City of İzmir which is sensitive due to tangible and intangible elements of the space. This study follows a descriptive approach and the process in Historic City of İzmir is investigated through case study methodology, and then actions that were conducted by different actors were evaluated through insight of the literature. As a result, the study emphasises alternative practices as supportive tools to go beyond the physical aspect of the space considering the different dimensions of urban design. Also, the study presents the application of alternative urban design approaches while explaining the new perspective of local governance defined as the İzmir Model and suggests the consideration of placemaking process for policy making in urban design context.