A vision with growing pains

Christiania is here to stay. That fact has been recognized by the municipality of Copenhagen and even by the government. The question is - in which form? A recent government law concerning Christiania (the L205 law) underlines the danger that Christiania may become a cappuccino quarter for "the rich and famous" over the next few years.
Christiania is enjoyed each year by many visitors as well as residents. To secure collective right of use for its residents, a model for ownership in Christiania will probably be an important and necessary foundation. Completion of such an agreement with the government of Denmark will ensure that the residents of Christiania (and also the government of Denmark) will no longer be held captive by the time, expense and angst involved in continual ongoing negotiations. Furthermore, after all these years, residents' rights will be protected: Ensurance will be provided that nobody has the right to actually own their own dwelling in Christiania. The citizens of Christiania believe strongly that collective right of use is important 1) to allow room for all, 2) to support the great diversity of its population and, 3) to support the remarkabale level of social justice that exists and is cherished by all residents of the Christiania community.

The vision of Christiania's residents, after many years of building ban, is multi-faceted. First, we will build anew in order to institute a series of exciting new initiatives: We want to build homes for the elderly, and a college, where students in the creative arts will work together with the craftspeople and artists of Christiania. We also want to build housing for guest researchers, and an honorary residence reserved annually for a politician, researcher, artist or some fiery soul who has made a special effort on behalf of Christiania. In addition, we want to create a green hostel where backpackers can find cheap lodgings. We also want to open a small independent school where pupils from the rest of Denmark and abroad can be taught.
The second major thrust of our vision is economic. The economy will be organized as in an ideal free zone, where creative and innovative businesses are freed from paying VAT to the authorities. Instead, profits will go to the Common Purse. Christiania's local currency, the Løn, is to be further developed, so that it can support a green and environmentally sound economy.
In keeping with this economic thrust, the third major area of our vision is ecological. The State, which has polluted the area with heavy metals (due to arms production in the 19thc) must recognize its responsibility and free some capital for environmental clean-up. The new clean environment will be the first step towards local production of food in orchards and ecological kitchen gardens.
In building, the ecologically sound desires are: 1) to promote the use of materials which demand relatively few resources in production and, 2) to use forms which result in lower energy expenditure. 3) Christiania's share-a-car system will be extended to include the neighbouring quarter of Christianshavn and 4) a local business will be established to look after car maintenance. 5) Christiania will export its recycling system to the rest of Denmark, where the amount of refuse has been increasing for many years. At Christiania's recycling depot, the aim is to recycle 90% of materials.

In the future, community policy decisions in Christiania will still be made collectively by all interested parties by consensus. It is unthinkable that we would introduce traditional majority decision-making procedures to Christiania. The criticism has sometimes been raised that just a few opponents can prevent the passage of a proposition. However, on the other side of the argument, the majority of only a few votes in Denmark has meant that half the population has ended up being dissatisfied, as was the case following the EU referenda.
Last but not least, Christiania will continue to be a driving force in art, culture, architecture and innovation. We want to establish a school for autonomy which encourages creative global projects that may be used in the rest of the world - everything from teaching and export of the social structure, institution management, alternative treatment, bicycles, shoes, software and handicraft.
But first of all, man will still be at the centre in Christiania. In every future process, democracy, togetherness and freedom will have the highest priority.