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How this rose became a symbol for Stockholm’s immigrants

Projects calling on locals to give their two cents are sprouting up across Stockholm in an effort to make the city more secure and inclusive for all its residents.

Published: 10 December 2019 06:00 CET
How this rose became a symbol for Stockholm's immigrants
Photo: The Alba Lilium project in Bredäng

The Alba Lilium project in Bredäng, a suburb where 70 percent of residents have an immigrant background, is just one example of this partnership in action. The artistic collaboration between JM AB and a local school in the area coincides with the Swedish property developer’s plans to build 137 rental apartments in Bredäng. 

“We wanted to do something for those who live in this neighbourhood; to create engagement and to do more than just build apartments in the area. And also for the students to contribute to the neighbourhood and boost their self-confidence,” Magdalena Carlstein, business developer at JM, tells The Local.

Pupils in the seventh grade at the local Slättgårdsskolan participated in a competition to produce a piece of art that would reflect their community. The winning entry was done by four students and featured a red rose on a stone tablet. Both the winners and Carlstein agreed that it reflected the diverse community. 

“Many people have prejudices about Bredäng, that there are many immigrants here and that they won’t have a successful future. We wanted to show that you can succeed wherever you come from. The rose is a symbol for it…there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” said the winners. 

 

PROPERTY

Copenhagen nature area to be developed as city approves land sale

A part of the Amager Fælled nature area has lost its reserve status and can now be sold to investors, after a majority in the city's municipal council voted in favour of development on Thursday.

Published: 5 February 2021 12:42 CET
Copenhagen nature area to be developed as city approves land sale
Amager Fælled. File photo: Asger Ladefoged/Ritzau Scanpix

The 219,000 square-kilometre area, known as Lærkesletten, can be sold to developers who wish to build homes on the land, broadcaster TV2 reported.

The sale raises money needed by the city to pay for the new Metro lines, which opened last year, and was part of a political deal agreed in 2017.

City councillors from the Social Democrats, Social Liberals, Liberals, Conservatives, Danish People's Party and two independents voted in favour, while Red-Green Alliance, Alternative and Independent Green parties and one independent opposed.

Located on the southern edge of the natural area on island Amager, the area is frequently used by people from the city for cycling, running and walking.

“We have seen that nature and the environment are at the centre of the public’s perception of what’s important. They want real wild nature in Denmark,” Gorm Anker Gunnarsen, who represents the Red-Green Alliance on the city council, told news agency Ritzau.

An Epinion survey this week showed that 76 percent of people who live in Copenhagen are either partly or completely against development of the area.

Gunnarsen told Ritzau he still believes there is a chance of preserving the nature zone.

“We have the authority to withdraw a building permit in special circumstances,” he said.

An advisory public vote could on the matter provide the basis for this, he argued.

“This case will not then just rest on which party you are with, but also on your view of the individual case,” he said.

READ ALSO: Copenhagen natural area Amager Fælled gets new development plan

 

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