Apart from the drug trade, the 38-hectare commune seems to be thriving. The population now is more than 1,000, including about 650 adults and 350 children. Although the police aren't invited in, the residents ban sales of hard drugs, theft and other misdemeanors with the threat of expulsion from the community. So relaxed is the pace that they still don't want to have street signs or house numbers because they believe that such measures tend to depersonalise people. The commune even boasts its own postman, who picks up mail from a collective address.
Every resident has the right to convene a common meeting of all residents to discuss a problem.
Decisions are not taken by a vote but by unanimous consensus, which must make for some long discussions. We have no bosses and it's a nice way to work. At the general store, Johanes Kj mpenes explains that because they deal in used house fixtures that are cheaper than those available in other parts of Copenhagen, the store is only open to residents of the commune. While they collect the 25 per cent value-added tax just as other shops do, the proceeds are turned over to the commune rather than the Danish state to help fund such things as kindergartens and a health clinic. Christiania seems to be a favourite with artisans and craftsmen, including a shop that makes special hand-made tricycles that feature a cargo compartment to carry goods.