"It's going well, except when the old man comes and shouts at us": a summer getting used to a new neighborhood in Geneva

In Geneva's Vernets neighborhood, the central courtyard of a new housing complex has become a gathering spot for its young residents. Despite the sparse amenities, a few shrubs, a lawn, scattered tables, a sandbox, and a single water point, it serves as the de facto "central square" for this developing urban area.

On a hot August afternoon, the courtyard is mostly empty, save for Manasse and Tyrone, both around ten years old. They avoid the sun-scorched grass, waiting for cooler evening hours to play soccer. They position themselves under an entrance porch, like sentinels observing their new playground.

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It's going well, except when the old man comes and shouts at us in the evening because we're too noisy.

"It's going well, except when the old man comes and shouts at us in the evening because we're too noisy," Manasse recounted, wearing a soccer jersey and flip-flops. Tyrone expressed concern: "We might not be allowed to play matches anymore." Their fear highlights a recurring tension between the youthful energy of new residents and the desire for quiet from some established inhabitants.

The situation underscores the challenges of integrating a new community into an existing urban fabric. While the children have found a space to socialize and play, their experience is tempered by the need to manage noise complaints and the potential for further restrictions, impacting their ability to fully enjoy their new surroundings.

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We might not be allowed to play matches anymore.