AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.04.2002, Side 65

It is also important to follow up the policies contained
in the plans for the city with further research. The part
played by the Department of Development, in coopera-
tion with the Planning Department, is to ensure plan-
ning is based on the most sound social, economic, and
service premises as possible. On behalf of Reykjavík,
many developmental studies concerning the various
city departments and residential services are being
undertaken; the most imporíant study in this field is the
balanced scorecard of the city.
Preliminary policy for development
and research
Deputies from the largest city departments dealing
with social and economic issues have suggested the
following breakdown of research:
Urban Quality. This refers both to the natural and built
environment, the service systems of the city and other
bodies, and city culture in its broadest sense. In this
group are:
a) Comparative studies of other cities.
b) Studies of urban quality by district.
c) Studies of lifestyle and culture changes.
d) Development of measures to assess the most desir-
able development of urban society in Reykjavík.
e) The new City Architect's Department is to study how
the built environment of the city can be improved.
Public Democracy. In this group are:
a) Experiments in participation and cooperation
between the public and city authorities.
b) Assessment of which service should be offered in
what city districts and the demand for services by dis-
trict.
c) Assessment of what issues the public is most inter-
ested in.
d) Experiments in increasing the feeling of belonging
and residential cooperation in individual districts.
e) Monitoring foreign examples of good government,
such as cooperation with the Bertelsmann organisa-
tion.
Urban development and a new emphasis in plan-
ning. The policies of the Development Plan for
Reykjavík 2001-2024, concerning increased population
densities in the city, a greater mix of housing and work,
as well as the encouragement of more sustainable
transportation with increased public transit, call for the
following research:
a) Studies of land values and the cost of building up
and running services in the centres of new districts and
on the outskirts.
b) Studies of transit habits of residents in the Capital
Area (this study has already been started).
c) Study of the housing and iocational preferences of
different social groups (in preparation).
d) Assessment of the development potential of the cen-
tral area of Reykjavík and the Vatnsmýri district includ-
ing the “Knowledge Village”.
Urban Society - Multi-Culture. In this group of re-
search, many studies can be included:
a) Listing foreigners by district and various conditions.
b) Mapping of the changes in the distribution of social
groups by city district.
c) Assessing likely changes in service demand of dif-
ferent social groups by city district.
d) Study of different conditions of the inhabitants and
social segregation.
e) Monitoring trends in the urban societies of neigh-
bouring countries.
Internationalization - Innovation. In order for
Reykjavík to be able to compete with foreign cities for
people and companies, the following research should
be undertaken:
a) Close monitoring of the development of the “New
economy” in cooperation with the City Planning
Department, as well as other changes and opportuni-
ties which the international information revolution can
have for our urban society.
b) Close monitoring of the best in innovation and devel-
opment of comparable cities.
c) Assessment of education and capabilities required
by employers for upcoming decades.
d) Follow-up on Aflvaki policies concerning opportuni-
ties for Reykjavík in the 21 st Century.
This research will without a doubt provide a firm
knowledge base for future city policy. As lceland is the
only Scandinavian country where no specific urban pol-
icy for the new century exists, it is important to start this
research. Reykjavík must be „on the map“ as soon as
possible among the competitive cities of the world. ■
Dr. Bjarni Reynarsson geographer/planner, Project
Manager at the Department of Development in the Town
Hall.
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