7 June-14 June
The second fieldtrip of the Integrated Action Approach team—Elena Batunova and Albina Davletshina—took place from 7 to 14 June 2025. The journey itself highlighted the geographic and infrastructural distances between the project’s case cities: on 7 June, the team travelled three hours (230 km) by train from Daugavpils to Riga, followed by a six-hour bus ride (650 km) to Narva, Estonia.
The first day of fieldwork began with a 17 km walk through the “Narva Venice” riverfront and the historic Krenholm district, accompanied by Saara Mildeberg from Tallinn University. The route traced the entanglement of Soviet-period legacies and present-day everyday practices in shaping Narva’s urban landscape. Over the course of the week, the team covered 72 km on foot and conducted 13 hours of interviews.
Housing remained the central focus of the fieldtrip. The team observed ongoing renovation efforts, emerging residential developments, and abandoned housing stock. Numerous conversations were held with residents, heads of homeowners’ associations, and representatives of housing management companies—addressing building maintenance, financial tools, and the social dynamics of shared spaces. Several of these walks were led by residents and association representatives, who guided the team through neighbourhoods and discussed the challenges and potentials of managing common property. A dedicated meeting with the city’s Chief Architect focused on Narva’s General Plan and the role of housing within broader urban strategies.
In addition to the housing sector, the team explored cultural and civic infrastructures. Visits included Narva’s Art Residence, the Rugodiv House of Culture, a local photographer’s studio, and the city museum—providing insights into how local memory and creative practices interact with the material fabric of the city.
These interviews, observations, and spatial traversals contribute to the comparative work of the project, informing strategies for resilient and inclusive approaches to Soviet-era housing across different urban contexts.