Narva has introduced a new general plan aimed at addressing the alarming trend of population decline that the city has faced in recent years. The plan emphasizes the central area around the river and downtown as a focal point for development, where large public buildings will be constructed. A significant addition to this plan is the proposed tram connection to the nearby town of Narva-Jõesuu, intended to enhance accessibility and stimulate local transit.

Previously, the city's planning framework was based on an assumption of growth, imposing restrictions on construction projects in an attempt to manage a rapidly expanding urban environment. However, the reality has shifted as Narva has been losing approximately 1,000 residents annually, leaving the once-populated city, originally built for 80,000 residents, inhabited by only slightly over 50,000 people today. This stark decrease in population has prompted the city government to rethink its development strategy.

According to Kaie Enno, the director of the Architecture and Urban Planning Department of the Narva City Government, recognizing and acknowledging the city's decline is crucial for adapting development plans. By understanding the demographic trends, stakeholders aim to redirect processes in a way that could potentially stabilize or reverse the decline, allowing Narva to respond more effectively to its changing urban landscape and enhance its community infrastructure.