Young People’s Spiritual Quest with the Loss of the Sacred in the Modern City

Abstract

In today’s cities, where modernization and urbanization are rapidly advancing, the visibility and social function of sacred spaces and religious symbols in public areas are gradually diminishing. In traditional societal structures, sacred spaces were not merely places of worship; they also served as the spatial embodiment of social memory, belonging, and cultural identity. However, in today’s world, individualization, digitalization, and a consumption-driven lifestyle are undermining the representation of the sacred in public spaces. In an age of increasing individualism, digitalization, and speed, younger generations are moving away from traditional religious structures and rituals and turning to alternative ways of addressing their sense of spiritual emptiness. For young people, meditation spaces, nature walks, digital worship groups, silent retreats, urban retreats, and mindfulness practices have become ways of establishing a new relationship with the sacred. Young people, moving away from traditional places of worship, are constructing new types of meaningful spaces and seeking to fulfill their spiritual needs in this way. An assessment conducted within the framework of Charles Taylor’s theory of secularization, Mircea Eliade’s approach to sacred spaces, and Henri Lefebvre’s urban sociology sheds light on the transformation of the sacred in terms of space. As sacred spaces become less prevalent, personal and alternative spaces are finding new counterparts. This paper demonstrates that the sacred has not been completely erased from urban life, but rather has been reproduced by young people in different digital and physical spaces. For this reason, urban planning must take into account not only physical needs, but also emotional and spiritual needs