Ric Francis Photography: Documentary photography in East Central Africa and Norway

Damn, This Neighborhood Is Changing

The neighborhoods of Tøyen and Grønland border one another; they have long been home to working class and minority Norwegians - walking distance to central Oslo. 

One of the things that many newcomers find appealing about the area is its ethnic diversity. However gentrification has forced many minority Norwegians to relocate elsewhere - transforming the neighborhoods into growing enclaves for upperclass Norwegians. 

  • A Norwegian woman, wearing a hijab, and a young boy walk through Tøyen Square. The square has been renovated with cafes and restaurants.
  • Diners and pedestrians in Tøyen Square.
  • A musician, who is originally from The Gambia, and a young girl exchange a smile while he plays a kora; it's a harp-like instrument from West Africa.
  • On a cold afternoon a man smokes a cigarette outside a cafe.
  • An apartment building and passersby are reflected in a puddle. The value of real estate in the area has skyrocketed because of buyer demand.
  • Pedestrians on a local street.
  • Amanda Jensehaugen, 5-years old, plays on a stone wall while waiting for her parents to catch-up.
  • Pedestrians walk down a secluded street.
  • After playing together at a playground a mother and her five-year old son prepare to go home.
  • Several men converse in Vaterlands Park.
  • A man sleeps in Vaterlands Park.
  • A pedestrian walks through the commercial district.
  • Herrefrisør (men's hair salon), which is next to the Merkata second-hand store, has been owned and operated for 50-years by Freddy Larssen. Merkata is owned by Muluken Tabor, who arrived in Norway 23-years ago from Ethiopia.
  • Freddy Larssen, center, enjoys the camaraderie of long-time customers and friends; he has operated his barbershop for fifty-years at this location.
  • Deeqa Mohammed Osman, left, and Luul Mohamed take a selfie. Luul's daughter Ilhan Fuad Afrat, 12, waits in the foreground. The women are longtime residents of Tøyen.
  • Customers browse displayed merchandise outside a second-hand store across the street from the Grønland church.
  • A child walking outside a local park shares laughter with another pedestrian.
  • Cecilie Ingebrigtsen applies makeup as she prepares to go to a local bar. Cecilie was born in Norway to a Guyanese mother and a Norwegian father. She's a long-time resident of the Tøyen area. {quote}I never had any problems in Tøyen, but I like the changes because it feels safer,{quote} stated Cecilie.
  • Garad Farah gets music advice from a fellow patron at Bydelskroa. Garad is originally from Somalia and arrived in Norway 30 years ago; he has lived in the Tøyen area for 20 years.
  • Graffiti, some of which express political statements, is not an uncommon sight in the area.
  • The sun and snow contributes to a pleasant wintry day.
  • A young couple sits atop a bus stop structure listening to music coming from one of the stages at the Øya Music Festival.
  • Afro-Latinos In the Andes
  • Aftershock - Chile
  • Bolivian Coca Farmer
  • El Camalenque - Pallbearers
  • The Conflict
  • Damn, This Neighborhood Is Changing
  • Dilemma of Education
  • Early Childhood Education - Nairobi
  • Faces of Genocide - Rwanda
  • Katrina Aftermath
  • Mysterious & Devastating
  • Life After Death
  • Our Lord of Miracles
  • Paperless: Living in Limbo
  • Singles
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • documentedAwareness blog

Images © Ric Francis. Site design © 2010-2023 Neon Sky Creative Media