AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.04.2002, Page 69

REYKJAVIK AS AN ECOLOGICAL CITY
Sustainable development of the
city environment
Policies for the sustainable development of urban
areas influence most aspects of the city environment
which has to meet the prsent day demands and support
dynamic industries, higher living standards and a
diverse society in good balance with the land and the
living systems. During the preparationof the Develop-
ment Plan for Reykjavík 2001-2024 the ideology of
sustainable development has had considerable influ-
ence on various policies contained in the plan. This is
e.g. apparent in policies regarding: the limiting of the
expansion of the city; increased mix and densities of
housing and work areas; more ecological transporta-
tion; more economic use of land and service systems;
increased qualityof development and the maintenance
and protection of nature reserves.
Limrits of development
The jurisdiction of Reykjavík is some 275 km2 . A
large proportion of this area is not suited for develop-
ment e.g. because of natural restraints. The limits of
development were first defined in the Development
Plan of 1996-2016 (see picture 1). The definition of the
limits of development is part of limiting the expansion of
the built area and defining the urban and development
areas of the city. The limits, called the „Green scarf”
separate the outdoor recreation areas on the outskirts
of the city from urbanized part. In this way a frame is
created around the built area in order to contain hap-
hazard development. This in itself is an important
action towrds making the city environment more sus-
tainable. Future development and increased densities
are limited to an area west of this demarkation line. The
urban area of Reykjavík is limited by the “Green scarf
(growth limits) to the east, the coast of the city to the
west and adjoining local authorities to the north and
south and is about 63 km2. Of this area 34 km2 are
already urbanized or 54%.
Continuous devclopment
To improve land use, to form continuous development
and to reduce low density areas considerable develop-
ment is proposed in development areas (mixed devel-
opment, employment areas) within the already built
area during the planning period. Of this new develop-
ment areas are aprox. 11 km2. The total urbanized area
in 2024 will thus be approx. 45 km2 or 69% of the total
area of the urban area (63 km2). Of this area some 2,4
km2 are new reclaimed areas which means that within
the urbanized area the density will be around 20.49
inhabitants/hectare and 30.14 inhabitants/hectare if
only the developed area is taken into account.
Increase densritries of exristring develop-
ment
By increasing densities of existing development
increased economy is achieved in many ways. The
basic systems of the city e.g. underground services and
the transportation network is put to better use, land is
saved, distances become shorter, the basis for public
transportation is improved and capital and running
costs are reduced. In a proposal prepared for the coor-
dinating c'ttee for the regional plan for the Capital Area
it is estimated that up to 16,800 new flats will be built in
Reykjavík during the planning period. These flats will
be built within the urban area of the city. The greatest
increase will take place east of the Elliöa river or
approx. 12,000 flats and about 4,800 flats west of the
river. This development will take place on undeveloped
areas and by redeveloping underutilized areas and on
smaller development sites within existing built areas.
Incrcasc densritries
There is considerable difference in the density of
existing housing areas in the city today (see pictures
2,3 and 4) but generally speaking densities are higher
west of the Elliða river. The newest districts of the city,
Grafarholt and Staðahverfi have an average density of
20 flats/hectare. In the Development Plan it is proposed
to increase densities of development considerably. The
average density of new development areas and rede-
velopment areas will be approx. 27 flats/hectare, brut-
to, compared to 15-20 flats/hectare in the Development
Plan of 1996-2016. Increased densities are in keeping
with ideas of sustainable development of the city envi-
ronment. Increased density of development contributes
to more economic transportation and better utilization
of land and service systems. In this light it is assumed
that densities will be greatest along public transporta-
tion routes in new development areas and where serv-
ice nuclei are formed.
Envrironmental and housring qualritries
Main emphasis of the Development Plan with regard
to environmental and housing qualities is contained in
the ideology of sustainable development e.g. densities;
proximity to service; transportation safety; shelter;
noise control; mixed development; social balance; pub-
lic democracy and flexibility and access to open areas.
In this connection conditions will be laid down, within
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