Research questions

This project examines the spatial integration practices of Ukrainian refugees in Vienna and Prague and asks how their everyday presence contributes to urban change. It focuses on residential, public, cultural, administrative and social spaces, as well as on emerging neighbourhood networks, informal meeting places, Ukrainian cultural and business infrastructures, and interactions with local communities.

The project moves beyond an understanding of refugees solely as recipients of assistance. It analyses Ukrainian refugees as urban actors who use, adapt and co-create city spaces in their everyday lives. The comparative perspective on Vienna and Prague allows the project to explore how different urban contexts, integration policies, housing structures and local support systems shape trajectories of spatial and social integration.

Methodologically, the study combines desk research, analysis of urban integration policies and district-level statistics, in-depth interviews with experts from city administrations, NGOs and relevant institutions, an online survey of Ukrainian refugees, and GIS-based mapping of key “Ukrainian” spaces. This mixed-method approach enables the identification of emerging social clusters, local networks and spatial transformations in both cities.

The project contributes to urban and migration research by linking the micro-level spatial practices of displaced persons with broader questions of urban governance, neighbourhood transformation and inclusion. It pays particular attention to how Ukrainian refugees navigate urban resources, establish new social and economic connections, and participate in the production of urban space.

The expected results include a comparative analysis of spatial integration practices in Vienna and Prague, GIS-based visualisations of key integration spaces, insights into the transformation of urban districts, and practical recommendations for urban planners, policymakers and local stakeholders. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of how European cities can support inclusive, sustainable and socially cohesive integration processes in the context of forced migration.