Green light for FOJAB's vision for Reykjavik

Swedish architects FOJAB are helping the City of Reykjavik in the development of the Keldur district, which will become a model of sustainable urban development in Iceland.
- It's a completely new way for us to build a city," says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir, Chair of the Environment and Urban Planning Committee.

In 2023, FOJAB and Ramböll won an open international competition to develop a development strategy for a 116-hectare area in eastern Reykjavik, where the new Keldur district will grow.

The formal planning process has now begun following a decision by the Reykjavík City Council. It has also been decided that the winning competition proposal Crafting Keldur will form the basis of the planning program.

New for Iceland
The proposal is based on a new type of dense and cohesive, but at the same time flexible and dynamic urban structure for Iceland. A bus rapid transit line, Borgarlína, will be the backbone of local public transport. A key focus is to reduce the car dependency of the city and its residents to enable a sustainable lifestyle with a focus on quality of life.

- We have a lot of cars in Reykjavik and as the city is growing rapidly, the fleet in the capital area is increasing by 60-70 cars per week. This is a huge challenge for us and a trend that needs to be broken," explains Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir, Chair of the Environment and Urban Planning Committee.

Starting from the human
She says that since the Second World War, Reykjavik has been planned around the car so that people can drive everywhere. With Keldur, they are going down a completely new path.

- FOJAB's proposal is based on people - not cars, as we are used to. How do we create a safe environment for children? How do we make it possible to walk and cycle everywhere? For us, it's a new way of thinking," says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir.

Opening up alternative modes of transportation is crucial to attract young Icelanders to move back home after studying abroad, says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir.

- Many young people who have lived in other countries for a few years have become accustomed to life without a car. If we are to compete for the workforce, we need to build a society that makes it possible to live like that," she says.

Greenery and water
In addition to the focus on sustainable mobility, Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir highlights how well the proposal takes advantage of the landscape's green and water features.

- It's a very beautiful area and I really like that you strengthen the place rather than work against it. We've been building so much and so fast in Reykjavik lately and there hasn't always been enough focus on quality," she says.

In October, the proposal was presented to the public in Reykjavik. "It was well received," says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir. In spring 2025, the planning program will be sent out for consultation and will be ready for adoption towards the end of 2025 or early 2026.

- "Those of us who want to change current structures are often told that we are out of touch with reality and unrealistic. FOJAB's experience will be important to get the public on board and show that this is actually possible," says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir.