Stop Ås Exploitation: Discussion on the Topic
Krokoms municipality has found its gold mine – everyone wants to move to the beautiful Ås with proximity to both city and nature. But in this case, money seems to have blinded our politicians and planners. In the heart of Ås, among turn-of-the-century villas and farmland, the municipality’s excavators are working overtime as two five-story concrete buildings take shape. Furthermore, more projects encroaching on farmland and forests have been initiated in the area.
Community Concerns
Around Ås, plans are being made to increase population and services, which sounds fantastic for our community. My concern revolves around how little developers seem to care about adapting the buildings in Ås to the village’s environment and history. When I read the municipality’s detailed development plan for the Ås area, I am surprised. It says good things! ”New buildings should be designed with special consideration for the existing building structure and the environment.” What happened to that? High-rise concrete buildings and massive exploitation of farmland can never align with that plan.
Environmental Impact
In addition to the aesthetic aspect, the ethics of planning central buildings, including nursing homes and large parking lots, on the few arable lands left in central Ås can be questioned. It hurts my heart to think that one day the municipality will pave over the meadows where I ran around as a child, and that future Ås children will never experience it. Being surrounded by green areas has been proven to have a positive impact on human mental and physical health, while also being incredibly important for biodiversity.
Appeal to Decision Makers
Now I turn to you, municipal politicians and officials. There are better ways to develop the Ås area that do not destroy our beautiful nature and also honor the village’s history, a history we are proud of. Sure, you won’t get away as cheaply as if you choose to continue turning our farming village into a concrete suburb, but in the long run, both nature, residents, and you will benefit from a more sustainable, environmentally friendly mindset as you look at the map of Ås. I will always choose green meadows over asphalt and our rural community over money. I hope you do too.
Signe Roos
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In Finnish translation:
Stop Åsin hyväksikäyttö: Keskustelu aiheesta
Krokomsin kunta on löytänyt kultakaivoksensa – kaikki haluavat muuttaa kauniiseen Åsiin, jossa on sekä kaupungin että luonnon läheisyys. Mutta tässä tapauksessa raha näyttää sokaissen
