Christiania says yes to building new homes

It was not a good idea to say no, because then we would lose all opportunities to develop Christiania. We didn’t have any financial resources to develop Christiania, says Hulda Mader, a spokeswoman for Christiania, after a large meeting.

In an agreement with the government, the district can also buy some of the housing currently rented from the state for DKK 67 million.

In practice, the settlement means that around 300 new residents will move to Christiania before 2031.

Yes also means good loan terms so that the residents themselves can build in the area. But even if the majority supports the agreement, it is not without some concern.

Holda Madere points out that the area is already densely populated.

– We also want new Christians, but they must be distributed evenly, and it must be more organic, she says.

Christiania was declared a safe haven on September 26, 1971 after squatters moved into buildings left empty by the Danish Defense Forces. Creativity flowed and wild plants formed from the imaginary buildings.

But the area has also become a haven for crime and widespread cannabis smuggling, which has also left its mark.

Over the years, the state tightened its grip on the sanctuary, first with a special law for Christianity and later by regulating land ownership.