In the Klostertorv area of Aarhus, there were problems with socially vulnerable people. They had been evicted from all other places in the city and now only had Klostertorvet to spend time in. The number of vulnerable people in the same place was therefore high and so was the level of conflict - both within the community and with neighbours, businesses, professionals, etc. Kenneth Balfelt Team prepared a contextual analysis of the situation in and around Klostertorvet and advised Aarhus Municipality on social, physical and organisational solutions to create a better, more dignified and safer city - for the city's citizens, vulnerable or not, businesses and professionals. 

 

The Context Analysis has gone through a massive involvement process where we have interviewed socially vulnerable people, the professionals who work with them, businesses (shops, cafés, trade associations etc.), neighbours, property owners, the police and many others. 

 

The contextual analysis points to a number of different problems in the Klostertorv area, including:

 

Violent conflicts - internal and external

Large number of vulnerable people in a small urban area

Littering

Unworthy toilet conditions

Boundless individuals

Few/no attractive alternatives to the Klostertorv area for socially vulnerable people

High stress levels and poor sleep

Destructive role in the area - never constructive

No-one keeps order and peace 

 

Read the context analysis in full here

 

Solutions

 

With start-up help from Kenneth Balfelt Team, Aarhus Municipality began a process to improve conditions for everyone in the Klostertorv area. This included, for example:

 

• Attractive alternative locations to Klostertorvet: 3-5 outdoor and covered ‘sanctuaries’ in different parts of the city

• Social caretakers: The task of the social caretakers is to create a good relationship with the vulnerable, so they can engage in dialogue with them, build norms for good behaviour and resolve any conflicts

• City for All Network: A network has been set up called "the City for All Network". It includes representatives from Aarhus Municipality, East Jutland Police, Kirkens Korshær, City Foreningen and SAND - the national organisation for the vulnerable. The purpose of the group's work is to jointly take responsibility for and solve any problems in and around Klostertorvet and in the city centre in general.

• Physical measures at Klostertorvet itself: The toilet at Klostertorvet has been out of order for a long time. This has caused problems, with socially disadvantaged people and nightlife guests doing their business in inappropriate places. In May, a new toilet with two toilets and a urinal will be installed. Until then we have set up a temporary urinal in the square. In addition, we are working on a general improvement of furniture, bicycle parking and cleaning of the area.

• Small jobs programme: The socially disadvantaged currently have no constructive role in the local area and many lack something to do. An employment consultant has been assigned to the Klostertorv area to help get the vulnerable into small jobs in collaboration with the social caretakers and the Church Cross Army. The aim is for the socially disadvantaged in the local area to play a constructive role in the local community and thereby improve their relationship with the neighbours and businesses for whom they perform the tasks.

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   Read Aarhus Municipality's action plan for the Klostertorv area in full here (In Danish)