Green Light for FOJAB 's Vision for Reykjavik

The Swedish architecture firm FOJAB is assisting the city of Reykjavik in developing the Keldur district, which is set to become a model for sustainable urban development in Iceland. “It is an entirely new way for us to build a city”, says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir, Chair of the Environmental and City Planning Committee.

In 2023, FOJAB and Ramböll won an open international competition focused on developing a strategy for a 116-hectare area in eastern Reykjavik, where the new district of Keldur will emerge.

Now, the formal planning process has begun following a decision by Reykjavik's city leadership. It has also been established that the winning proposal, Crafting Keldur, will form the basis for the planning program.

The proposal is based on a new type of dense and cohesive but also flexible and dynamic urban structure, which is entirely new for Iceland. A rapid bus line, Borgarlína, will become the backbone of sustainable, local public transportation. A key focus is reducing the city's and residents' dependence on cars to enable a sustainable lifestyle with a focus on quality of life.

“We have a lot of cars in Reykjavik, and since the city is growing rapidly, the vehicle fleet in the capital area increases by 60–70 cars per week. It's a massive challenge for us and a trend that must be broken,” explains Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir, Chair of the Environmental and City Planning Committee.

She describes how Reykjavik has been planned around the car since World War II, allowing people to drive everywhere. With Keldur, the city is embarking on an entirely new path.

“FOJAB’s proposal starts with people – not cars, as we're used to. How do we create a safe environment for children? How do we make it possible to walk and cycle everywhere? For us, it’s a new way of thinking,” says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir.

Opening up alternative modes of transportation is crucial for attracting young Icelanders to return home after studying abroad, according to Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir.

“Many young people who have lived abroad for a few years have become accustomed to a car-free life. If we want to compete for talent, we need to build a society that makes such a lifestyle possible,” she says.

In addition to the focus on sustainable mobility, Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir highlights how well the proposal takes advantage of the area's natural landscape with its greenery and water.

“It’s a very beautiful area, and I really appreciate how the proposal enhances the place rather than working against it. We've built so much and so quickly in Reykjavik lately, and sometimes quality hasn't always had enough focus,” she says.

In October, the proposal was presented to the public in Reykjavik. It was well received, says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir. In spring 2025, the planning program will be sent out for consultation and is expected to be ready for approval by late 2025 or early 2026.

“Those of us who want to change existing structures are often told that we are unrealistic and disconnected from reality. FOJAB's experiences will be crucial in gaining public support and showing that this can actually be done,” says Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir.