City Connection
City district Gamle Oslo has a body for improving local communities. The Department of Local Communities’ strategy called Virksomhetsstrategi W2022-2025, aims to implement four elements: inclusive activities, pleasant neighborhoods, attractive meeting places and sustainable urban development. KAIA contributes to these four elements, by developing socially sustainable neighborhoods in Bj?rvika and S?renga.
Key Staff Contact: Marianne E. Netland, City District Gamle Oslo
Context
KAIA has Fjordbyen as focus area, with Bj?rvika and S?renga as starting points. The area consists of new neighborhoods with close proximity to the city center and the sea. The attractiveness has resulted in friction between the residents and visitors, especially apparent during summer. Bj?rvika and S?renga are interesting areas that experience difficulties balancing the private and public spaces.
Project Description
Research done by KAIA shows that the organizational structure of the neighborhoods in Bj?rvika and S?renga is underdeveloped, as the residents are incapable of addressing dissatisfaction to the appropriate body. The neighborhoods need a common platform for the residents to communicate.
KAIA’s solution is to organize the residents in a neighborhood association. KAIA NA is presented in the handbook “KAIA Velforening - et moderne vel”. KAIA NA differs from a traditional NA by being based on five principles.
These principles contribute to the social sustainability of the neighborhoods. With improved communication and social connections, there will be better opportunities for good relations between the area's residents, visitors and actors.
Outcomes
KAIA NA has been positively received and participants at the participation meeting all wanted to form a NA. In addition the students in KAIA were offered to work as consultants, to make a template for how to gather the people needed and driving forces to create an NA for Bj?rvika and S?renga.
Group Members
- Sarah M. Karlsen, International and environmental studies, NMBU
- Synne S. Nordby, Landscape Architecture, NMBU
- Thea K. Jarneid, Human Geography, UiO
- Una M?rch-Thoresen, Human Geography, UiO