Present Situation

Attitudes

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Attitudes

Attitudes from the center of activity

I have lived in Malmberget my whole life. Now I am waiting for them to move my house, but I get no information. It all feels like a much extended process and, my neighborhood is dangerous to live in, full of pits and partly excavated houses. The mine used to take care about the community, but nowadays the only look to their own economical interest. I feel badly treated and let down.

The let down – An inhabitant of Malberget that lives in an area where de relocation have started, i.e Elevhemsområdet.

Our house is situated on the edge of the pit. We would like to move, but due the unattractive location of our house today, we can’t get a decent price if we sell it. The price that we would be offered wouldn’t even cover the stake for an apartment in Gällivare. We feel trapped.

The left ones – Represented by a small number of inhabitants in Malmberget.

 I and my husband will have to move within the next 10 years. We have lived with the mines our whole lives and we know the conditions, we have to adapt to the mines. I think it’s a shame that stores are closing and maintenance and renovations are postponed. I don’t need to look like Russia here, for the rest of the time that we have the possibility to live here. While waiting, we would like some life quality.

The accepting ones – People that are born in Malmberget or have moved there knowing the conditions.

Attitudes with hopes for the future

Now we have the opportunity to make something unique. We can put Gällivare on the map. People from Paris or Cape Town should want to come here. But the we have to get a profile. Could we become an eco-vity? Can we become totally genderneutral? Could the pit become the world’s largest green house? If anyway we have to build new things, those should be top-of-the-line. People could come here for our unique architecture. Why can’t we think further than our own noses? Gällivare is a center point for a lot of tourist attraction in the north. If we collaborate, we could become the node in an adventurous Norbotten.

The innovative one

We need to get back the feeling of solidarity that existed in the society before. By broadening our fields of competences we can spread the risks and have a functioning economy even when the mines are experiencing rough times.

The realist

We can’t allow ourselves to commit the same mistakes as in Gällivare. Think about all the nice wooden houses that were lost. We need to preserve our history to be able to mediate it for coming generations and tourists.

The culture protectionist – Inhabitants that wants to protect the culture.

We have a unique possibility now with the city move. We can start all over and renew everything. It is an opportunity to really benefit from all our resources. The iron ore is only one of our sources of income. If we can take care of the nature, and make the center more attractive and invest more, we have infinite possibilities to develop our tourism and trade. We only need to unite and get a common vision.

The visionary – Young adults and entrepreneurs

I have no opinion. There is just too much talking, I actually don’t care. It will probably turn out well.

The indifferent

Attitudes from people in movement

I have been away from the city for a couple of years to study, but I have chosen to come back. This is a good place to raise a family. Furthermore it is really close to all the relatives and friends. I there are no jobs within my field of competence I could consider opening my own business.

The returning – Represented by young adults and people in the middle ages.

I came to Gällivare from Somalia eight months ago. I am waiting to get an asylum. Then I want to get an education and a real job. Mu cousin lives in Malmö, where you can get a job. If I get a job here I could consider staying.

The awaiting – Represented by young people waiting for an asylum.

I would like to stay here in the area, preferably in central Gällivare. As the situation is today, there are no apartments available so I still live with my parents. I work in the mine and earn a good salary and could continue working her for a while. But I desperately want my own apartment, NOW!

The one in search of housing – Young people, guest worker and people that wants to move back to the region.