Some of the residents of Skanderborgvej and Bernstorffsvej with their message to have a residental area only. Photo by Katy Spisakova.
3/09/2022 by Dominique Nash & Katy Spisakova
Last Wednesday, the 31st of August a group of residents living in Skanderborgvej, Bernstorffsvej and surrounding areas are protesting for keeping the neighborhood accessible to residents within Viby. These houses have been allowed to be refurbished but instead have been privately bought up by investors and converted into 20 persons shack towns or tall houses with insight into villa gardens. The group of residents protesting have gathered support from local forces such as Viby Grundejerforening (also known as the Homeowners Association).
Niels Smed takes part in the large citizens group representing homeowners and tenants in the neighborhood. The most influential local organization is Viby Fællesråd (the Viby Common Council). Smed hopes that the current situation does not resolve in more families moving out. “The residential area provides a unique unity all year around.” The many events such as flea market, cake competition, round ball tournament form a tight-knit cohesion for the residents of Skanderborgvej and Bernstorffsvej.
Aarhus Municipality has presented ‘plan 1158’ already four years ago. For Niels Smed this meant a lot of unrest and a terrible time. “Our families and children are affected by the uncertainty this project has inflicted on us. Many residents have woken up at midnight and it has really worn on us.” The original case started when a new owner applied to demolish an existing villa (a single-family house). Instead the homeowner has built a mini-dormitory with 20 rooms for rental. Looking at the current residential area, this was complacent and out of the ordinary. Since the residents partake in local events and allow for road parties where they block from a Saturday morning until midnight: it is a family friendly neighborhood. Residents participate in parties, events and celebrate with each other. This is of course with the permission granted by the municipality. For 50 years Skanderborgvej and Bernstorffsvej are part of the most extended and oldest road party in Aarhus.
The local group on Facebook includes more than 200 house owners, and more than 40 residents from the local housing association Grønnegården as well as residents from the neighboring areas of Skanderborgvej. The protest on Wednesday was to some degree a small proportion of the time and energy this case has already gathered. The same investor buys up 6 other villa’s and a commercial building in the residential area. Some owners felt forced to sell because the investor told of plans to build a tall building next to the property they already owned. The adjoining housing of residents were offered large sums of money to sell. The investor managed to buy a total of 7000 sqm and had eyed the property during the ‘Town plan 2017’ where such possibilities were described.
Niels and other residents have intercepted a feasibility field study by a member of the Common Council. “The politicians’ claim about the city’s growth rate is exaggerated. In fact, there is a net decline in families with children these years,” according to the joint merit of the citizens group “Med Hjerte for Aarhus” (with heart for Aarhus).
“The new construction should adapt to the existing areas,” says resident Niels. “Symmetry and cohesion with a neighborhood is necessary and thereby 50 balconies with insight to a private garden should not belong here.”
This article is written for English speaking business people visiting a congress in Aarhus.
