Problem Statement: Modern urban spaces are typically characterized by three features: place, interactions, and individuals. However, the organization of power—specifically, the degree to which a space is authoritarian or open—holds distinct significance. This research explores how the experience of a democratic space is perceived within urban settings. In this context, Bakhtin's theories offer a critical framework for re-evaluating the relationship between space, social action, and the urbanscape, as understood through the perception of citizens. Carnivals, by temporarily disrupting established orders, create a fertile ground for dialogue among diverse ideas. This dialogue unfolds within a specific spatio-temporal context, the nexus of which forms the chronotope structure. The central question is: what constitutes the urban equivalent of Bakhtinian freedom, and how can his theories on carnivalistic space, dialogue, and the chronotope serve as a basis for interpreting the urban landscape?
Research Objective: This research aims to redefine the urbanscape as a polyphonic space where "carnivalistic moments" facilitate a break from established order, fostering creative and democratic actions.
Research Methodology: This article employs a qualitative strategy with a critical discourse analysis approach. Initially, conceptual analysis was utilized to re-examine key concepts in Mikhail Bakhtin's thought, re-defining these concepts in relation to urban space and daily life. Subsequently, discursive interpretation was applied to investigate the connection between Bakhtin's theory and the urbanscape.
Conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that the carnival is not an exceptional event but rather a dynamic and inherent capacity within the fabric of everyday urban life. Micro-carnivals, by creating temporary ruptures in the established order, enable citizens to re-create space, express themselves, engage in democratic action, and partake in polyphonic dialogue. Within this framework, the urbanscape emerges as a narrative field—unfinished and open to events—that possesses the capacity to host creative and liberating experiences at the heart of the city.