FOJAB exports sustainable urban development to Reykjavik

Iceland is turning to the Swedish architecture firm FOJAB in the country’s largest urban development project, as a high-quality public transport system for the capital region is rolled out.
– FOJAB brings bold ideas and helps us see the possibilities, says project manager Hallbjörn R. Hallbjörnsson.

Borgarlína is a bus rapid transit system with dedicated lanes and priority in traffic, designed to improve accessibility, reduce car dependency, and support more sustainable urban development by connecting Reykjavik with surrounding municipalities. By 2040, it will be gradually implemented across the Icelandic capital region, together with major investments in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. The budget corresponds to just over €1 billion.

– Sixty-three percent of residents in the capital region say they want alternatives to the car, so there is real support for change, says Hallbjörn R. Hallbjörnsson, project manager for Borgarlína at Betri Samgöngur.

A bus corridor that drives transformation
He emphasizes that Borgarlína is not only an infrastructure project but also an urban development project. The goal is not simply to create a bus corridor, but a bus corridor that drives transformation. Along the routes, plans also include urban development focused on high-quality city environments, buildings, and strong conditions for walking and cycling.

This is where FOJAB comes into the picture. The Swedish architecture firm won the open international competition to develop a development strategy for Keldur, a new district along one of the bus rapid transit lines. FOJAB’s proposal won the jury’s approval for its focus on human-friendly environments, sustainable everyday life, and proximity to nature. The master plan was recently adopted.

FOJAB has now been entrusted by Betri Samgöngur to develop the Concept Design for one of the six Borgarlína phases. FOJAB is the only firm awarded responsibility for an entire phase, and currently the only international company involved.

Bold ideas
– We were very impressed with how FOJAB approached Keldur. They see the whole system, and they challenge us. We are often stuck in our Icelandic way of looking at things, but FOJAB comes in with bold ideas that hadn´t cross our minds. It’s valuable to be reminded that there are alternatives to how we usually do things. We need these ideas, says Hallbjörn R. Hallbjörnsson.

The assignment includes proposing the alignment of the bus corridor, the location of stops, and street widths, so that the public transport investment delivers maximum benefits – not only shorter travel times but also increased safety, attractive living environments, and proximity to services.

FOJAB is therefore also proposing where new housing and workplaces should be built, where public squares can be located and how they can be designed, and how existing greenery and waterways can become added values in the city.

Visionary presentations
In many ways, this represents a completely new approach to city building in Iceland. Hallbjörn R. Hallbjörnsson highlights the importance of FOJAB’s presentations for the process, with images and pictograms that make the vision clear.

– They are very easy to read and understand, very effective for creating acceptance for what we want to achieve, he says.

Hallbjörn R. Hallbjörnsson believes that other cities around the world could draw inspiration from what is happening in Reykjavik. Many American cities, for example, face similar challenges.

– In some respects we have lagged behind our Nordic neighbors—but now we are taking a few steps ahead.