This study critically discusses the concept of the digital public sphere within the context of social practices and questions its relationship with physical public space. To what extent is the claim that digitalization transforms the individual's field of experience valid when confronted with the physical reality of space? The article seeks to answer this by focusing on the resilient character of urban public spaces and the strategic use of public arenas by political actors, particularly during Turkey’s 2023 election process. Based on literature, the article argues that the digital public sphere offers a misleading sense of inclusivity, while genuine public encounters and political participation still fundamentally occur in physical settings.
Digital public sphere, urban space, political communication, public representation, public space