This first chapter begins by asserting that urban planners must utilize effective theoretical frameworks to both define and address urban problems. It thus proposes an epistemological and axiological approach based on the interplay between urbanistic theories, the Theories of Social Imaginaries, and the Theories of Recognition. In Sect. 2.2, the book will outline the “Theory of Social Imaginaries” key points and suggest it as a valid epistemological tool for gaining a “deep” understanding of social and socio-spatial practices and for analyzing political, social, cultural, spatial, and socio-spatial “structures.” Section 2.3 will examine more axiological issues and determine which social and socio-urban imaginaries may be considered “adequate” in defining social, spatial, and socio-spatial problems and orientating their resolutions. This section will explain which approaches are deemed “fair” or “unfair” beyond the specific interpretations of the concept of “justice” offered by different urban communities and proposes the axiological perspective presented by contemporary theorists of “Recognition.” After presenting the salient points of current theories of “Recognition,” Sect. 2.3 will conclude that “recognitive social (and socio-urban) imaginaries” should guide the analysis of urban issues as well as the search for possible solutions. The theoretical framework presented in this first chapter will orientate the development of an urban analysis method in Chap. 3 , the examination of contemporary neoliberal cities in Chap. 4 , and the formulation of an operational proposal in Chap. 5 .