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.  

Both areas have been strongly impacted by the forces of gentrification, which has transformed them into growing enclaves for upperclass Norwegians. 

  • A Norwegian woman passes through Tøyen Square with her son. 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.
  • Pedestrians walk through a local street.
  • Amanda Jensehaugen, 5-years old, plays on a stone wall while waiting for her parents to catch-up.
  • Pedestrians walk along a secluded street.
  • After playing together in a playground Margit Breivik and her five-year old son prepare to go home.
  • A pedestrian walks through the commercial district.
  • Herrefrisør (men's hair salon), which is next to a second-hand store, has been owned and operated by Freddy Larssen for 50-years.
  • 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.
  • A window front displays and advertises the sale of used baby items.
  • 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 Tøyen.
  • 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.
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  • Damn, This Neighborhood Is Changing
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