Urban development cooperation in Hovinbyen/Økern

March 8, 2024

Kloden teater helped arrange a cultural meeting with other representatives, with the aim of collaborating on urban development in Hovinbyen.

FAU representatives, cultural actors and cultural industries attended a cultural meeting on Thursday this week. The meeting was initiated by ByLab Oslo and Kulturarena Bjerke - which consists of Bydel Bjerke, Oslo kulturskole, Deichman with Demo Linderud and Kloden teater. Bydel Bjerke and Økern Sentrum ANS have taken the initiative to establish ByLab Oslo, which is a physical arena located at Økern Center.

The aim of the meeting was to facilitate better cooperation on urban development in Hovinbyen and Økern.

Sixty representatives from various cultural institutions, the City of Oslo and private developers participated. 

The field of culture in general, and how it works with different parts of cultural production, was presented by the actors Bydel Bjerke, ByLab, Kulturetaten, Kloden teater, Oxer Eiendom, Oslo kulturskolen, Deichman, Nysirkus Bjerke, Andreas Amble, Hanan Benammar, Viken filmsenter, Kulturalliansen, Oslo musikkråd, FAU Løren skole, Levende By, Norges Danseforbund, Økern Sentrum and Plan- og bygningsetaten.

Among the questions that were reflected on were:

The cultural strategy being developed under the auspices of the Bjerke district will contribute to a greater degree of varied cultural offerings in the district, and secure premises for various cultural purposes in Hovinbyen. 

Culture is vital

Ragnhild Olaussen, Head of Community Development and participant at the meeting

Other comments that were said:

The City of Oslo does not have a needs plan for art as it does for sports. We must create one!

Meeting participant

Young people need a place to be. They also need to know that art production can be a way of life. By facilitating young people, we can create a diverse art field.

Meeting participant

Arts and culture can help create good neighborhoods for the entire population.

Meeting participant