Lava field taking shape: Proposal for a vision presented

Development of Hraun, west of Hafnarfjörður

A large crowd attended an information meeting about the development plan for the Hraun West area, held at the Bæjarbíó cinema on the afternoon of 23rd May. A proposal was put forward for the area to be transformed from being one of the main employment areas into a site for around 2,500-3,000 homes to be built over the next 25 years.  

Kristján Örn Kjartansson from KRADS and Jóhann Einar Jónsson from Teiknistofunni arkitektar presented a proposal for the vision for the area. It is that it shall be allowed to develop and be built upon the basis of the existing built-up area and the provisions of the development plan, at the initiative of individual plot holders and their ideas. It is envisaged that residential properties will utilise 71% of the building volume, compared to 29% for commercial activities: offices, industry, retail, services and catering. This represents a complete shift in the utilisation ratio from the current situation.  

The total build-up area for the entire site will be 382,500 m² under the fully developed proposal, of which 272,325 m² is for residential/accommodation. There are currently well over 100 businesses engaged in various commercial activities on the site, and around 100 residential units. The intention is for plot holders and property owners to make use of the existing buildings as much as possible as the neighbourhood is redeveloped.   

Kristján emphasised that the development plan is a guide to cooperation between the planning authority and landowners. The meeting reviewed the timeline for the area's major planning changes. 

Timeline:  

• May-June: Work on the planning statement and amendment to the 2013-2025 Master Plan for Hafnarfjörður.   
• June-July: The description advertised, officially/legally  
•  July-September: Proposal submitted and assessed by the Planning Authority  
• October-November: Proposal advertised, officially/legally   
• January-February: Proposed amendment to the Master Plan comes into effect 

Kristján and Jóhann noted that it was important for the development to take into account the existing settlement pattern and industrial activity. The aim would also be to provide opportunities for development and mixed use. The neighbourhood should be given the opportunity to gradually transform into a dense, mixed-use area; but in A mixed-use development contains both residential and commercial activities, so that infrastructure is used more efficiently and the community is strengthened.   

The aim is also to support commercial activity, in particular to ensure that a similar amount of floor space is used for it in the future as is currently the case, although it will not necessarily be the same as it is now.   

Sustainable 5-minute neighbourhood 

The aim is for the neighbourhood to be a so-called '5-minute neighbourhood'. This means that all services will be within a five-minute walk of its centre. The main community infrastructure, such as schools, nurseries, grocery shops, multi-storey car parks, underground car parks and key public transport links, are located at intervals of approximately one minute. 

Emphasis will be placed on sustainable construction methods, material use and construction processes. The proposal provides a framework for the existing built-up area, including adding storeys to some of the existing buildings or building between them where there are vacant or underutilised spaces. It is intended to support commercial activity and increase the diversity of employment opportunities within the neighbourhood. 

Amendment to the Master Plan of Hafnarfjörður 2013-2025 – Hraun West.

Following the presentation, the plan's designers and the planning officer, Lilja Grétarsdóttir, took questions. Constructive discussions were held, during which various opinions on the matter were expressed and discussed. The meeting was recorded and will be available to watch online. The recording will be available in the coming days. 

Presentation from the press conference on Thursday, 23 May 2024  

Yes, this is an extremely ambitious vision that makes Hafnarfjörður even better!