Vollsmoses residents in an uproar: Where will they send us?

A saddening atmosphere envelops the gray betonbyggerier in the Odense district of Vollsmose. The residents of Denmark's largest ghetto is full of skepticism, uncertainty, and frustration for the future, they go to meet.

the Danish policy - 24. apr. 2019 - at. 15:55 Thousands of people losing their homes: How will the municipality crush Vollsmose

A future that lies in the municipality of Odense and boligforeningernes hands - and where no-one listens to them. They know that some will be thrown out of their homes - but not whether it is themselves or their neighbors.

They know that they will be offered an alternative accommodation - but are completely confident that they will not be able to afford to live there.

None of the young men with immigrant background, as Ekstra Bladet meetings in front of the shopping centre Vollsmose Torv, will have their picture in the newspaper. You are not talking with journalists in the Odensebydelen, sounds it.

But they are all agreed.

the Municipality's plan to demolish large parts of Vollsmose down is yet another reason to rage over the politicians.

Several residents in the area would, however, like to give their opinion to Ekstra Bladet.

- How large is the debate on demolitions out here?

- The fill part. The worst thing is the uncertainty about what will happen. And we notice it also as businessmen. People sit a little more on the money, because they don't really know their future.

- What are you thinking in general about the plans to tear some of your housing down?

- I feel steamrollered, and I can't see the purpose of the demolitions. One of the arguments that is being used, is that the resolution of Vollsmose will help people get into work. How can it help anything to move people away from their networks? It then becomes not easier - on the contrary.

- What do you think of the plans, as Extra Leaf can present?

- I would not comment on the specific plans before they are presented officially for the residents.

- Fill the genhusnings-talk much to you in private?

- It fills when. We live cheap here and many people have their networks here. They (the municipality and the boligforerningerne, red.) says that they will guarantee that we will be offered something similar, but they will not guarantee anything in relation to the rent.

- There are many disadvantaged in Vollsmose, and if they get torn away from their network, I may as well fear that it will go completely wrong. It hits the weakest.

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Photo: Stinde Tidsvilde

- How large is the talk of demolitions?

- It occupies quite a lot. It is something that everyone goes and thinks and cares about - but it is not the biggest issue right now. It has been the uncertainty. Now they are here plans then come forward. Whether it changes anything about the talk, and see.

- What are you thinking about the concrete plans?

- If the level holds, it looks good enough out violently. It is quite wild, much needs to be demolished. It is wilder than anyone could have imagined.

- According to our draft plan, you may be affected?

- It is extremely uncomfortable. I am super, super happy to stay here. It is my home, and I can't imagine having to stay in a different place. It is hard in many ways.

- I have some challenges with some diagnoses, so it will be hard. An anxiety diagnosis does not play particularly well together with the uncertainty about where I will end up pregnant.

- What it will make of the consequences for you?

- I lose my whole network. I would definitely be more sick of being moved out of my network.

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Photo: Stinde Tidsvilde

- What do you think of the plans, as Extra Leaf can present?

- I do not think it is a good idea. It makes no sense, I think, when you ask.

- Why not?

- Vollsmose must be, as it is now. The fails the not anything. I think that Vollsmose is one of the most beautiful cities that exist. There are the politicians and the media, which is causing it to happen now.

- do you Live in one of the buildings, which the municipality might want to tear down?

- No, I do not, but I know people who live in the blocks, and I will not have to move. I have it bad with that maybe they need to move. They have friends and family here. It is here that they feel comfortable, so it makes no sense that they must move.

- do you Think that they would feel unsafe, if they are to stay in other places in Odense, or the surrounding area?

- Yes, it is I'm sure. They will not feel comfortable when they stay by the side of mrs Jensen and mrs Hansen.

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Photo: Stinde Tidsvilde

- What do you think about the Odense Municipality level, where several buildings lost here in Vollsmose?

- I do not think that it's going to happen. It is just a plan. And honestly, where are all the people so the move go? Why should we away from here?

- Why do you think you are not on the plan?

- It is a battle between the municipality and the government, and they will never agree. I do not believe that their big plan is to something. Why have we not heard anything? I am going to tell you. Because it is a proposal.

- the Government has adopted a ghettoplan, which also includes the Vollsmose. Think you not that it has any effect on the municipality's decision?

- I will say it like this: If they take the decision, we would like to know where to stay? There is no other accommodation for us from Vollsmose other places. It can't be done.

Facts box

Vollsmose is the nation's largest socially disadvantaged residential area with 9100 inhabitants. Living nearly ten times as many people in the same space as in the rest of Odense.

today is 74.2 per cent. of Vollsmoses residents are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, including 68,9 per cent. from non-western countries.

Odense city parties have announced that a minimum of 1000 general-family homes to be torn down or change the status. There are a total of 3600 general-family dwellings in Vollsmose.

There are around 1600 new homes instead of them having to be torn down in, among other things Bøgeparken and Egeparken.

the Government adopted in the spring of 2018, the so-called ghettoplan, which intends to get its ghetto areas to life.