AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.04.2002, Blaðsíða 64

Iceland regarding urban research. The institute is
located in the University Building, Skólabær, on Suöur-
gata.
In Autumn 2001, an elective course in urban studies of
30 units was offered for the first time. Taught by Bjarni
Reynarsson from the Department of Development, this
course thoroughly covers the administration of the City
of Reykjavík. A close cooperation exists between the
Department of Development and the working group of
Reykjavík for research and development.
At the beginning of 2002, three research posts were
advertised at the Institute of Urban Studies: Sociology,
Housing, and Planning, which are starting work at this
time; Professor Stefán Ólafsson heads the Institute,
Bjarni Reynarsson from the Department of Develop-
ment in the Town Hall is a consultant in Urban Studies,
and Professor Trausti Valsson is a consultant in
Planning. With new researchers at the Institute, more
important research can be carried out on the south-
west corner of lceland (see Diagram 2).
Various studies and research
The Department of Development has carried out vari-
ous studies, projections and research useful for all city
departments, such as population projections for the
inhabitants of Reykjavík and the Capital Area (City
inhabitants 2001), and a study into the development of
retail trade by districts of the Capital Area (Shopping in
the Capital Area, 2001). The Department of Develop-
ment has also performed a comprehensive review of
city services and more specific analysis on such sub-
jects as Christmas shopping and city residents’ per-
ception on the quality of life (Diagram 3). A study of
demographic shifts within the Capital Area during
1991-2001 is now being carried out. This year, an
extensive review of housing requirements and the loca-
tion preferences of different social groups will be
undertaken using the “visual preference” method.
Residential consultation and coopera-
tion:
During the last few years, City authorities have
placed a greater emphasis on increasing and improv-
ing consultation and cooperation with residents and
their involvement in the decision-making process.
Below are some of the development studies are men-
tioned.
The Future City. This important project was carried out
during 2000 in cooperation between City authorities
and the public under the direction of the Department of
Development. (See an article about this study in this
magazine).
Voting on the future of Vatnsmýri. A public vote
deciding the future plans of the Vatnsmýri area was
cast on March 17th, 2001.
Participatory planning. During 2002, two participato-
ry meetings have been held with the public concerning
planning- and environmental issues.
Drug Prevention Measures and Immigration. The
Department of Development has been actively
engaged in matters concerning policies for drug pre-
vention as well as formulating policies for a multicultur-
al society in Reykjavík, including preparations for the
founding of an “International House”.
District Services and Organisation. In 1999, the
Department of Development and the Department of
Social Services published a report on the division of
Reykjavík into districts, with information on how servic-
es have been organised in cities in neighbouring coun-
tries. In October 2001, the Executive Council approved
a proposal to divide the city into 4 districts and 8 divi-
sions (Diagram 4). One of the main tasks of city
employees in the near future will be to organise district
services on this basis.
Dristrribution of rinformatrion
Residential cooperation is closely tied to an effective
distribution of information. The Department of
Development in the Town Hall has an important role to
play in this respect.
Last autumn, the Department of Development, in
cooperation with the Urban Studies Institute, initiated a
series of monthly breakfast meetings concerning city
issues, dubbed “The City in the Morning”. The
Department of Development also publishes the
Reykjavík Yearbook and participates in the Statistical
Bureaus of Scandinavian Capitals in the building of a
coordinated databank with the 16 largest conurbations
in Scandinavia, The Nordstat Project.
Polricy formulatrion
The following are examples of approved policy, which
creates the framework for research undertakings:
The Information Policy of Reykjavík. Information
provided by the City regarding activities and proce-
dures is to be accurate and accessible.
Multicultural Society. Reykjavík society should enjoy
the diversity of culture and civilisation where knowl-
edge, broad-minded equality and mutual respect typify
interaction between people of different origin.
Environmental Policy. Reykjavík is to be the most
eco-friendly capital of the Northern Hemisphere, which
is incorporated into the City’s local agenda.
62