FOJAB leads the way for sustainable urban development in Iceland

Swedish architects FOJAB will help the City of Reykjavik set a new standard for sustainable urban development in Iceland. Work is now underway to design the Keldur district.

FOJAB and Ramböll won an open international competition last year with the proposal Crafting Keldur - Where Art, Science & Recreation Unite. The competition brief was to develop a structural plan and development strategy for the Keldur district in eastern Reykjavik, characterized by an attractive urban structure, sustainable urban development and climate neutrality in harmony with the nature and landscape of the site.

Now the next step is taken. FOJAB has been awarded the entire planning assignment. In a first stage, the competition proposal will be deepened and refined in a development plan and guidelines for the design will be developed in a design manual. Several studies will be carried out to ensure that the ambitious climate goals are achieved.

Iceland aims to be climate neutral by 2040. This requires, among other things, a change in transportation, as many people are currently dependent on cars. The new Keldur district will lead the way for a sustainable lifestyle. Within a few years, the area will be served by a new bus rapid transit system, Borgarlína, which will connect Keldur to the city center and other key locations in the metropolitan area.

The competition proposal is based on a dense and flexible urban structure with proximity to nature, the university and the city. The proposal also included strategies to create a social mix in the district. The buildings have a human scale - three to five storeys - but are dense and cohesive enough to create a vibrant and dynamic city.

- Schools and services should be within walking or cycling distance in Keldur. It is best to take the bus to work. Making sustainable everyday choices should be easy, enjoyable and obvious. FOJAB has a great deal of expertise in sustainable urban development, both in terms of mobility and creating attractive environments, which we look forward to sharing with Reykjavik," says architect Magdalena Hedman at FOJAB.