How Estonian village structures have evolved: a study into the morphological form of the villages of Paduvere and Vaimastvere from the 1700s to the present day

ABSTRACT

The following article focuses on the morphological development of Estonian village structures during the last several hundred years using a comparative qualitative map analysis based on historical maps and plans. The results show that the different stages in the genesis of Estonian village structures can be described by distinct characteristics that are still distinguishable in modern landscapes. Understanding how these forms have changed throughout history has the potential to guide future spatial planning decisions in the Estonian countryside.

KEYWORDS:

• Village structure
• urban morphology
• map analysis
• spatial planning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. LETAE20061, ‘Valuable settlement structures in Valga municipality: determining milieu areas and the conditions for their use and protection’ (1 May 2020 − 1 May 2021); Principal Investigator: N. Nutt; Tallinn University of Technology, School of Engineering, Tartu College; Financier: Valga Vallavalitsus.

2. Three was the minimum number of farms needed to comprise a village as decreed in official documentations in Estland in 1866, as well as the point from which it is possible to trace the positioning of village structures as they relate to each other (Troska 1987).

3. ‘Laits Slatz Gebieth des Kardis Håffs Bonder,’ 1756, Rahvusarhiiv (National Archives of Estonia, hereafter – RA), EAA.1365.1.30, leht 2.

4. ‘Charte von den saemtlichen Bauer Ländereijen des Dorfes Paddofer nebst ein Hofs Strey Stück,’ 1815, RA, EAA.1365.1.30, leht 10, foolio 4.

5. ‘Charte von dem, zum priv. Gute Cardis gehörigen Dörfe Paddofer,’ 1871, RA, EAA.1365.1.33, leht 2.

6. ‘Laits Slatz Gebieth des Kardis Håffs Bonder,’ 1756, RA, EAA.1365.1.30, leht 2.

7. ‘Charte von den saemtlichen Bauer Ländereijen des Dorfes Paddofer nebst ein Hofs Strey Stück,’ 1815, RA, EAA.1365.1.30, leht 10, foolio 4.

8. ‘Charte von dem, zum priv. Gute Cardis gehörigen Dörfe Paddofer,’ 1871, RA, EAA.1365.1.33, leht 2.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Minea Kaplinski-Sauk

Minea Kaplinski-Sauk is a PhD student in the field of civil engineering and architecture at Tallinn University of Technology. Her background is in landscape architecture and spatial planning and, in addition to academic studies, she has also worked in professional practice since 2015.

Nele Nutt

Nele Nutt, PhD is a researcher of architecture at the Academy of Architecture and Urban Studies, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, School of Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, and a senior lecturer at Tartu College, School of Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology. She has published various scientific articles on gentrification, spatial planning, social processes, and restoration of cultural heritage.

Zenia Kotval

Zenia Kotval is the Professor and Program Director of Urban and Regional Planning in Michigan State University as well as an Adjunct Professor at TalTech. Her expertise includes fiscal planning, economic development, and urban revitalization and she has outstanding international experience of planning the built environment.