Arkitektúr og skipulag - 01.08.1988, Page 90

brought before Parliament this year to estab-
lish a clear system of responsibility for envi-
ronmental questions.
Page 50
Chaos in Environmental Affairs
Hjörleifur Guttormsson traces the history of
nature conservation in lceland from the pass-
ing of legislation in 1971, arguing the necessity
for decisive action, and the foundation of a
single Ministry of the Environment.
Page 53
Regional „Core“ Policy
The idea of „core“ development was suggest-
ed 25 years ago by Valdimar Kristinsson, but
much of it remains valid today. He suggested
that regional balance could be achieved by
stimulating urban communities in the regions
and consequently „development areas“ around
them. He suggested four such development
areas, and another six designated „active ar-
eas“ around smaller urban communities. Al-
though some opponents objected to the policy
as elit, only 10% of the population was resi-
dent outside these ten areas or the existing ur-
ban centres of Reykjavík and Akureyri. This re-
gional policy was never implemented.
Page 56
Fifty Years of Town Planning
lceland’s first laws on town planning were in-
troduced in 1921, and the Town Planning com-
mittee produced plans for Reykjavík and other
communities in the 1920s. The post of Direc-
tor of Town Planning was established in 1938,
when new laws were passed. The present
planning laws date from 1964, with amend-
ments made in 1972 and 1978.
Page 59
Vestnorden
The West Nordic countries, lceland, the Faroe
Islands and Greenland, are collaborating on a
planning project, which aims to benefit all
three participating countries. Planning organi-
sation is compared, and specific communities
in each country have been chosen for compar-
ative study. It is hoped that the project will
lead to further collaboration in the future.
Page 60
Summer Houses
The State Planning Department lays down de-
tailed regulations about the granting of build-
ing permission for summerhouses. Summer-
houses enjoy great and growing popularity,
and a survey carried out for the planning de-
partment in 1986 showed 4,749 summerhous-
es, 405 under construction, and many more
plots, undeveloped as yet.
Page 63
A Monument to Geothermal Ener-
gy
Ingimundur Sveinsson’s design for a new
complex, now in preparation and due for com-
pletion in 1990, which will be made up of new
storage tanks for storage of geothermal water
supplies for the city of Reykjavík, topped by a
glass dome. Within will be a „winter garden",
and under the domed roof a revolving restau-
rant. The „winter garden” will offer facilities for
events of many kinds, from art exhibitions to
conferences and markets. There will also be a
coffee shop and information centre. The dome
itself helps to heat or cool the interior as nec-
essary, as water flows through the steel
framework.
Page 70
Two Reykjavík Nightspots
Kjartan Jónsson compares the design and fur-
nishing of two new nightspots in Reykjavík:
Hotel ísland, a new building, specifically de-
signed as a nightspot, and Lækjartungl, a con-
verted cinema. Hotel ísland exemplifies a sim-
ple „arena" style, around the dance floor, with
brass railings, but most decoration is given by
use of lighting, laser and smoke equipment.
Lækjartungl makes some use of fittings from
the cinema, about 40 years old, to underline
the history and atmosphere.
Page 78
Apartments for the Elderly at Dal-
braut, Reykjavík
Designed by Árni Friöriksson, Páll Gunnlaugs-
son and Valdimar Harðarson, there are two
buildings, made up of two- and three-roomed
apartments, with a common sitting room and
dining room in each building. They have been
designed to give each flat a south-facing bal-
cony. The design has kept to simple forms,
enlivened with variations of windows, and un-
usual balcony railings. Although lceland is
known for brightly-painted houses, the blue
used here is an unconventional and striking
choice.
Page 82
Local Planning at a Time of
Change
Skúli H. Norðdahl examines local planning
questions in the light of the writings of Greek
architect and planner Doxiadis.
Page 84
District Planning
District planning has introduced a new level in-
to Reykjavík town planning. Plans are dis-
cussed, first within the municipal organisation
and then at open meetings, where residents
can comment on suggested changes. The City
of Reykjavík has completed its plan for District
Four, and issued a one-sheet plan to all resi-
dents in the district. Two more district plans
are expected to be completed by the end of
1988, and the remainder by the end of 1990.
English summary prepared by Anna Yates.
88