Better living conditions in vulnerable areas in Oslo and Bergen

The initiative for residential, urban and local development in Groruddalen in Oslo was originally scheduled for conclusion in 2010. “The good results and experiences mean that we are now proposing to continue the initiative, with NOK 43 million in the fiscal budget for 2011,” says Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Liv Signe Navarsete.

The Government will also give the City of Bergen funding of NOK 3 million to counter the accumulation of negative living conditions in vulnerable areas.
“The Government wishes to contribute to efforts to improve the environment and local conditions for residential areas that face particular challenges,” says Navarsete.

“Our experience is that such area initiatives must be long term in order to achieve the best results. Continuing the initiative in Groruddalen is particularly important, so that measures and processes that have been commenced do not come to a stop now,” says Navarsete.

So far the Groruddalen initiative has contributed to various housing environment measures, the upgrading of outdoor areas, a community centre, a market, a skating hall and swimming areas.

3 million to Bergen
In recent years Bergen has ascertained that there are considerable differences in living conditions between different areas in the city and between different parts of each borough. A report from 2008 shows that the borough of Årstad faces particular challenges.

A number of surveys and statistics show that Bergen has the same challenges as in Groruddalen, but not the same “problems of scale”. The Government therefore proposes that in 2011 Bergen receives funding of NOK 3 million to improve living conditions in vulnerable areas.

“Bergen has done some good preparatory work and has reviewed the challenges that face the city. Putting good measures into action can therefore be done quickly there. I will be following developments there with great interest,” says Navarsete.

For more information, contact the press centre at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development on tel. +47 22 24 25 00.