Around 100 at a meeting about the town's master plan

Hafnarfjörður is growing and thriving

Hafnarfjörður is expected to grow by 6,000 to 14,000 people by the year 2040. This was stated at a public meeting in Hafnarfjörður on Tuesday afternoon. Around 100 people attended the meeting, which was held in the main hall of Haukar at Ásvellir.

„This is an important step in our shared vision for Hafnarfjörður,“ said Mayor Valdimar Víðisson as he opened the meeting, calling it a key part of the planning process.

„The aim has been to shape a clear strategy for how we want our town to develop, prosper and grow in the coming years and decades,“ he said. „We want to create a platform for open, constructive and positive discussion about the future of our town, how we want to live, work and live here in Hafnarfjörður in the years to come.“

Reviewed the draft proposal

Stefán Gunnar Thors, VSÓ Consulting, presented the draft proposal for the revision of the 2025-2040 general plan.

„We all know how great the countryside and green areas are.“ Care must be taken to preserve the quality of living in Hafnarfjörður. He looked at the bigger picture and also mentioned that consideration must be given to how to tackle the increased traffic that comes with a growing population. A variety of solutions are under consideration. He pointed out that it was interesting that the proposals included a transport hub for journeys between Leifur Eiríksson Airport and the capital. Attention is also being paid to natural hazards and where development can be carried out with them in mind.

Worked with a number of specialists

The Planning and Building Council, the Department of Environment and Planning, and the advisory team have worked on the draft proposal. The consultants are Landslag, Tendra, Úrbana, VSB and VSÓ ráðgjöf. „I hope you find it interesting to read the master plan – at the very least, to look at your local area and see if you are happy with the proposals. If not, to make some suggestions.“

He went over the main changes. The Port of Straumsvík has been expanded, industrial areas have been expanded, the city line has been introduced for the first time and the city centre will be given greater importance. There are plans for the Reykjanesbrautin to go through a tunnel under Setberg. Emphasis is being placed on the network of paths and the upland area.,

Stefán said that the entire package was being addressed comprehensively. The main changes are a new golf course, a long-term electricity grid plan – with an emphasis on ensuring there are no overhead lines in residential areas, two large new quarries, a new cemetery, and measures for natural hazards and emergency response.

Stefán spoke about Krýsuvík. A framework for outdoor recreation and tourism is being established there. A vision for energy production to meet the demand of the capital region has been laid out. However, there is still much to be done, but HS Orka has exploratory drilling underway. Work is underway to site the power station and other structures.

Hafnarfjörður is expanding

Stefán said it was clear that a large number of new homes would be built. The goals and priorities have been set. It is important to have a diverse range of housing options, access to green, open spaces, and to ensure safety. The town's growth boundaries must be taken into account.

He spoke about the city centre. „We're in love with the city centres and want to do a lot for them,“ said Stefán, pointing out that a working meeting about it would be held tomorrow, 13 November. The new vision for the harbour connection was brilliant.

„There is much to consider, and how we get businesses and developers to build, and people to live there,“ he said at the meeting. There were large industrial areas in Hafnarfjörður. Hellnahraunin had become one of the largest industrial areas in the capital region.

„We have been slightly expanding those areas and utilising the openings there,“ he said. He mentioned many opportunities in the city centre and transformations in Hrauni West.

„There are a considerable number of industrial sites available and we need to consider what kind of industrial activity we need,“ he said, among other things, at the meeting.

He then concluded by briefly touching on the main points and urged people to familiarise themselves with the changes to the planning portal, case no. 1446/2025 and take part in the upcoming workshops. Then let us know what was good and what could be improved.

• Comment and review period until 24 November
• Workshops 13 and 17 November