3.2 Demographics & Socio-economic Data

3.2. Demographics & Socio-economic Data

From the start of the project the two groups have been working to gather data regarding the economic state of the inhabitants to learn more about how and why they want to live the way they do. It was quickly discovered that Svartlamo(e)n is a difficult place to gather data. Collectively, the groups tried many different approaches with different results, but no real data to use for the analysis was obtained. Martine Elise Skoglund Hammer, one of the inhabitants helped the most regarding the data collecting and wrote her master thesis about Svartlamo(e) n. She might be the group’s biggest resource, especially when it comes to socio-economic data.

Martine explained her methods of getting closer to the inhabitants and her ways of working, it took her years of involvement to get to this state of understanding as she is now. When she was asked about how to get the socio-economic data of Svartlamo(e)n she was quite clear that it might have been the hardest work she has done in her data gathering. She expressed that to ask a general skeptical and anti-governance population about what they do as living and what they earn per year is not very welcoming. Martine came with some concerns regarding the collection of data and what it will result in, in this brief period the groups had for the project, therefore Martine was so kind to share her study, so this is a translation and analysis of her data.

The Analysis

In total Martine managed to get 186 answers, where 79 were former inhabitants and 107 are current inhabitants of Svartlamo(e)n. This is a big quantity of responses as a representative number to work with and Martine concludes that half of the adult population has answered the forms she made. The questions are made up by boxes that can x-out and columns where they can contribute more info if they feel for it. There was a wide range of inhabitants, in the age gap of 21 to 61 years, 43,69% men, 53,40 % women and 2,91% other genders. (Hammer, 2019)

Looking at their education the data represents that 30% have higher education (1-3 years) from a college or a university, and a total of 28% have higher education with up to five years from a college or a university, there is also, 2% that answered holding a doctor degree. Additionally, 11% have an education from a vocational school, 18% have an education ending at high school, 6% include junior high school and 6% answered something else. (beboerunderøskelse, 2019) This data shows how educated the population really is and considering the first impressions some of the group members had about Svartlamo(e)n this certainly contradicts this and helps to paint a clearer picture of the inhabitants. Just because they step out of the Norwegian norms of living and housing, does not mean that they are under educated and less resourceful intellectually.

Work wise, the survey showed that 14% are students, 40% are in full time jobs, 30 % are part time workers and 25% have a sole proprietorship, 1% are homemakers, apparently 2% are pensioner, 8% are not working, and 10% have answered something else (Hammer, 2019). This tells a different story compared to what we heard from Catharine, she told our groups during our transect walk, that approximately 20% or more are nonworking people (transect walk, Aug. 2021).

This data is pre-covid and the overall work statics might have changed due to the pandemic. It could also be that the unemployed population are less likely to attend a study like this as well. Comparing these numbers to the national statistics of the workforce, the unemployment rate nationally is about 2,4% looking at week 42 in 2021, so it is still higher than the median in Norway but does not separate by much considering the 8% and the factor of it being an experimental area with lower rent. (NAV, 2021)

Figure 24: Demographics of Svartlamo(e)n, Hammer 2019

The length of a resident’s stay reveals a lot about the community, back in 2009 most of the inhabitants stayed around 1-3 years or 4-6 years, and in the “Beborerundersøkelse” most answered 7-10 years and then 1-3. So, by comparing these numbers it is safe to say that most of the population are happy to live there and most have stayed there since 2009. There was a total of 16% that lived there for more than 15 years and 22% that have answered that they used to live there before as well. This means that they moved away but chose to come back; this could be because they really like it there or that they are dependent on lower rent housing than usual. When talking about the lower rent, a total of 41% answered that the low rent is their main reason for moving into Svartlamo(e)n and 23% said that they cannot afford living anywhere else. (Hammer, 2019)

For the number of kids living in Svartlamo(e)n there is not much data on this, but back in 2009 there were estimated to be around 40 kids, in this study out of 109 people 49% answered that they have kids now (Hammer, 2019). So, it’s safe to estimate that the estimates are about the same now.

Moving Pattern of Svartlamo(e)n

Our contact, Martine goes into looking at how the inhabitants got to know Svartlamo(e)n. She found that a total of 80% got to know the area by some of their friends and acquaintances, and only 4% found it through the media and the Svartlamo(e)n website. Many others also knew the area from growing up close to it or in the city center. Since it has a vast reputation, only two people answered that they walked by it once and wanted to learn more about it and then chose to live there. Many of these connections come from youth organizations such as UFFA, Eat The Rich, and Betongjungeltelegrafen (beboerunderøskelse, 2019). All of these are connected to Svartlamo(e)n and fall under many people’s circle of friends.

The living environment for many is a strong reason to move there, thus scored high in the data collection. A lot of the population moved within Svartlamo(e)n up to 3 times (Hammer, 2019). Since the people here mostly do not want to search in the private renting market and several can’t because of the prices in the private market. Again, it falls back to the pricing and the need for lower rent.

Looking at the numbers of who wants to stay and who wants to move away, there is a total of 11% who said yes to moving away, 69% who said no and that they want to stay there further, and 20% that did not really know what they wanted. Out of the people wanting to move these were the highest answers to why: 1. I’m in a new phase of life and need change 2. I do not feel the same way about the area as I once did 3. It’s not enough space for me right now 4. New work or studies (Hammer, 2019) Regarding the safety of the area most felt safe at Svartlamo(e)n, but noise is a major factor for many and a major disturbance for the inhabitants. 17% of the population stated that noise pollution was an issue. Additionally, 20% have said that internal conflicts are a cruciac too including some disputes with the neighbor or a friend close by (Hammer, 2019). One participant said that he got offered better pay now and wanted to move away so that others that need it more will move in and take his spot. One other even said that the lack of control or governance was an issue and the reason for moving away.

Figure 25: Reasons for leaving former residents (right) and current residents (left), Hammer 2019

The same question was asked to the former inhabitants where 55% answered that they were in a new phase in life, 32% said there was too much drug usage in the neighborhood, 21% said they wanted to own their own apartment, 19% stated it was because of internal conflicts, 15% said it was not enough political activism for them, 13% entered new work or studies, 9% said it wasn’t kid friendly, 7% said it was too tight or not enough space, another 7% said they felt like an exception for Svatlamo(e)n, 5% felt unsafe, and 24% said other reasons were main factors for moving away (Hammer, 2019). To summarize, most of the people of Svartlamo(e)n are happy with their way of living and do not feel like they need any improvements of the area, some might feel like there is a heavy drug presence in the area and others may feel as if they do not have enough space to live; but these are way to complex problems to fix in this brief time of field work. The focus points will be on the need for more privacy and less noise pollution, as well as integrating some kid friendly spaces both in Svatlamo(e)n and Mellamon. These are needed spatial solutions based on all the insights, feedbacks, and analysis’ and will help to maintain the happiness for the people in the Svartlamo(e)n area.