AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.04.1999, Page 72

e n g I i
This issue of AVS focuses on the
growing strength and dynamism of
the private sector where large-scale
construction projects are concemed.
The emphasis is on cultivating the
individual innovation and creativity
that often flourishes under such
conditions while simultaneously
striking a balance between state
control and private enterprise.
P.9: BIG PROJECTS - PRiVATE
ENTERPRISES
In his editorial, Gestur Olafsson
discusses the movement from state-
controlled projects to increased par-
ticipation by the private sector. In
his view, the dynamism facilitated
by this trend can lead to much bet-
ter performance on a number of
fronts if managed properly.
P. 10: THE HVALFJÖRÐUR
TUNNEL
Here engineer Þorsteinn Þorsteins-
son traces the construction by a pri-
vate construction company of the
tunnel under Hvalfjörður fjord, in
west Iceland. The tunnel was con-
structed on a Build-Operate-Trans-
fer (BOT) system and the author
discusses the advantages, draw-
backs and other implications of this
type of project.
P. 15: RELOCATION OF
REYKJAVÍK AIRPORT
In this article Gestur Olafsson dis-
cusses a proposal by a Reykjavík
engineering firm on the relocation
of the Reykjavík airport. The pro-
posal involves creating a man-made
island on which to situate the air-
port, in Skerjafjörður fjord to the
h s u m m a r y
south of Reykjavík. The present air-
port site would then be redesigned
as a residential area. The various
technical and planning-related
aspects of this proposal are dis-
cussed in some detail.
P. 22: BOT PROJECT OPPOR-
TUNITIES
Here Sigfús Jónsson, managing
director of the consulting firm
Nýsir, writes about the concept of
the BOT project. He analyzes the
advantages of such projects, dis-
cusses different types of BOT pro-
jects, the preparation needed and in
which sectors they are particularly
successful. He encourages the pub-
lic sector to explore the opportuni-
ties afforded by this type of project
and stresses that the best results can
be had by allowing the innovation
and creativity of those involved to
flourish.
P. 28: FINANCING PUBLIC
PROJECTS
This article criticises government
authorities for fiancing large-scale
public construction projects through
the ill-considered taking of loans. In
the view of author Jón Sigurðsson,
authorities take such loans without
being prepared to levy taxes to meet
payments, thus passing on responsi-
bility to the following generation.
In his view, this has not changed in
spite of the public sector’s current
movement towards privatization.
P. 31: CHANGING TIMES IN
BORGARFJÖRÐUR
Jónas Guðmundsson, director of
The Co-operative College of
Iceland at Bifröst in Borgarfjörður,
discusses social changes in the
Borgarfjörður area since the open-
ing of the tunnel under Hvalfjörður
fjord. The tunnel considerably
shortens the road distance between
Reykjavík and Borgarfjörður, thus
opening up multiple opportunities
in both areas.
P. 35: A SPORTS COMPLEX IN
LAUGARDALUR VALLEY
Here architect Ari Már Lúðvíksson
focuses on a proposal for a sports
complex in Reykjavík’s Laugar-
dalur valley. The complex will
house an indoor 50-metre pool for
swim competitions and will encom-
pass the existing facilities of the
Laugardalur swimming pool. The
proposal won first place in a com-
petition held to elicit proposals for
the complex.
P. 38: RESIDENTIAL AREA ON
A MAN-MADE SHORELINE
The company Björgun ehf. has pro-
posed the construction of a residen-
tial area on a man-made shoreline in
Reykjavík’s Grafarvogur area. In
this article Sigurður Helgason dis-
cusses the proposal for the area,
which includes an attractive pier for
small boats. Also discussed are pro-
posals for two other residential
areas in Reykjavík, based on similar
principles.
P. 41: THE ASSOCIATION OF
ARCHITECTS IN PRIVATE
PRACTICE
The Icelandic Association of
Architects in Private Practice was
recently founded in Reykjavík. This
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