Practices and models of contemporary urban transformations of Split in this work are examined through empirical analysis of the planning process of making an outline of Management plan, and contextualized with the relevant theoretical and empirical researches. Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian was inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, but was not provided a Management Plan to this day. Unsystematic approach to both its preservation and development results with a spatial and social degradation, threatening its Outstanding Universal Value. Almost three years ago Municipality of Split constituted the Committee for making the outline of Management Plan for Split City Core and Cellars of Diocletian Palace, formed by the representatives of Municipality of Split, Ministry of Culture, scientific community and interested public in order to develop a sustainable plan by changing the established paradigms of city planning and management towards integrated and participatory practices. With only guidelines and some related experience, an attempt of harmonizing numerous and often highly complex premises and notions of all stakeholders is not an easy task, but has already altered the ways of perceiving the civic role in the process. Case study of the work of the Committee is thus not does not stop with mere analysis, but provides a practical and emancipatory tool for similar future processes.