AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.12.1995, Side 67

S U M M A R Y
E N G L I
and sound pollution. The author states that
public opinion is moving in favour of re-
ducing the traffic load: a recent opinion
poll showed that 75% of respondents felt
that use of private cars should be reduced.
Planning, too, can contribute, by making
car joumeys less necessary. Hitherto, the
needs of the individual driver have been
given priority, but this has shown itself to
be a short-sighted approach. Other factors
in reducing the traffíc load include „Park
and Ride,“ and providing a good system
of foot- and cycle paths. The crucial fac-
tor is the bus network, which is now being
reorganised. Reykjavík is a member of the
„Car Free Cities Club,“ a group of Euro-
pean citíes which are aiming to reduce traf-
fic. The city authorities aim to make
Reykjavík the cleanest capital city in Eur
ope by the year 2000.
PAGE 50 NOISE BARRIERSIN URBAN
AREAS
Landscape architect Pétur Jónsson writes
about the problem of noise (generally traf-
fic noise), and how it can be reduced, e.g.
by better insulation of buildings. Barriers
of earth and turf, and concrete walls pro-
vide the best noise barrier, and the surface
can be fmished in various ways to create a
pleasant appearance. Wooden walls also
insulate, but much less effectively, and
vegetation (trees), though often regarded
as the natural form of noise barrier, in fact
is rather ineffective, as 20-50 metres of tree
belt is required in order to reduce noise by
1 ODb. A combination of these materials is
often the best solution.
PAGE 53 FEASIBILITY STUDY ON
LUPIN-BASEDINDUSTRYIN SOUTH
ICELAND
Ásgeir Leifsson and Baldur Líndal write
about the potential for making ethanol
from lupins, which grow easily, especially
in south Iceland, and require no topsoil in
order to colonise new land. This industry
would use geothermal energy (plentiful
and cheap in Iceland). In addition to pro-
ducing ethanol, which is an environmen
S H
tally-friendly fuel, in high demand in the
USA and Europe, the process would yield
protein-rich material for use in fodder, as
well as organic fertilizer, lignin and
alkoloids. The cultivation of lupins on
large, now-barren areas, would also con-
tribute to the effort to increase Iceland’s
vegetation cover, as the lupins enrich the
soil ready for planting other vegetation.
PAGE 59 REGISTRATION OF HIS-
TORIC SITES IN ICELAND
Bjami F. Einarsson writes about the proc-
ess of systematically registering all historic
sites in Iceland, which is in preparation.
The first effort to record historic sites in
Iceland took place in the early 18th cen-
tury, and the first such sites were listed as
protected sites in 1917. By the terms of
new legislation on environmental impact
assessment, all historic sites in an area
must be registered before a plan for the
area can be finalised. These sites may be
of many different kinds, e.g. the remains
of farm buildings, sites connected with
folklore, or more obviously important
buildings. But all may have useful infor-
mation to offer, now or in the future, and
all have their part to play in the nation’s
cultural histoiy.
PAGE 66 DESIGNER TINNA
GUNNARSDÓTTIR
Designs for fumiture shown by Tinna
Gunnarsdóttir in November 1995 at Gal-
lery Greip. Her theme is comigated iron,
with the wave-motif being expanded in
various ways.
PAGE 68 IT IS BEAUTIFUL IN THE
FIELDS WHEN THE FISHING IS
GOOD
Hermann Sveinbjömsson, biologist and
ecologist, quotes the above statement, said
by an Icelandic farmer, to illustrate the
view that beauty is relative, and for those
who Iive in poverty, concem for the envi-
ronment may seem a useless „luxury.“
Sustainable development, however, also
reflect man’s concem for his own survival,
i.e. by not destroying his own environment
and resources. The author points out the
difference between preservation (i.e. no
change is permitted) and conservation (i.e.
control). A plan is now being developed
for the central highlands of Iceland; the
author wams against extreme preserva-
tionist views, in spite of the need to pro-
tect the beauty of the uplands. There must
be access, so that people can experience
the beauty of the place.
PAGE 72 WE NEED GUIDES TO THE
LAND OF THE FUTURE
Planner Trausti Valsson likens the present
state of the world to the revolution in
mechanisation and industrialisation in the
19th century. He suggests that, in order to
get our bearings in he modem world, we
require surveys and research on what the
future may bring, so that we can plan
ahead. There are many options, and the
choice of options should be an informed
one. Specialists in various fields must
make theircontribution, so that politicians
are better equipped to make the right de-
cisions.
PAGE 75 THE ICELANDIC CENTRAL
HIGHLANDS : REGIONAL PLAN
1995-2015
Einar E. Sæmundsen, Gísli Gíslason and
Yngvi Þór Loftsson write about the re-
gional plan, now being developed, for the
(uninhabited) central highlands. This is the
preliminary stage of planning, to be fol-
lowed by dividing the highlands into three
sections, for which more detailed plans
will be made. The following aspects of the
highlands are dealt with: protected areas
(areas of natural beauty, historic sites), tra-
ditional utilisation (grazing, fishing, hunt-
ing), energy (exploitation of energy re-
sources) and transportation (road system).
The final draft plan should be completed
in 1997. ■
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