Flensburg Harbour gets a vision for the future

Appearance of Flensburg Harbour approved!

Flensborg Harbour is stepping into the future with a new local plan, which was approved at a meeting of the Hafnarfjörður Town Council yesterday and will now be published.

„We look forward to seeing a new, magnificent waterfront district rise in the heart of the town and hope that construction will begin as soon as possible. “Great care has been taken with the design and detailed planning, which began with a design competition six years ago," says Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, the mayor.

„Housing will be built there, creating a diverse range of leisure and service opportunities. The new development will be well-connected to the centre of Hafnarfjörður, expanding it and enhancing its services. The town will change its appearance, becoming even more sought-after to live in whilst retaining its unique characteristics.“

Rósa says that the number of above-ground parking spaces has increased considerably from the previous proposals that had been presented, especially for the proposed service areas.

A new local plan will be presented

The detailed plan for Flensburg Harbour is now being published for consultation, and residents have six weeks to familiarise themselves with the proposals and give their feedback. An information meeting will be held during this period.

The site is bounded by Strandgata, Fornubúðir and the sea. The area is approximately 4.4 hectares. As a general rule, the ground floors of the buildings are designated for commercial activities, with a focus on a diverse range of services. Examples include cafés, restaurants and convenience stores. The clear height of retail and service premises on the ground floors will be a minimum of 4 metres, with an impact on the streetscape.

Various access routes for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists lead to the development, and the idea is for it to serve as an extension of Hafnarfjörður's town centre. As the area will house extensive commercial and service activities, it is important to create good access for everyone.

Inspired by the urban pattern of Hafnarfjörður

The background is that in 2018, the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður held an ideas competition in collaboration with the Architectural Society of Iceland for a master plan for Flensborg Harbour and the Ósaryrki area. Two proposals were the winners. The winning proposals were combined into a single plan, which was later developed into an amendment to the master plan.

The aim of the framework plan was to increase the integration of the town and harbour through dense, mixed-use development in harmony with adjacent neighbourhoods and harbour operations. The aim was to create a cohesive development in keeping with the history and existing environmental qualities, through a change of land use and improved use of infrastructure.

The concept for the layout of Flensborg Harbour is inspired by the historic urban pattern of Hafnarfjörður and aims to create an organic connection between buildings and enrich the social life between them. Instead of modern development, which is often characterised by a regular grid of row houses with fences and enclosed plots, the emphasis is on open flow and good accessibility throughout the area, resulting in an exciting social life, space, and increased use.

Main topics and objectives

• The overall character of the area will be transformed through its improved use. The development of the area will take into account its unique characteristics and distinctiveness within the urban fabric of Hafnarfjörður.
• The quality, sustainability and value of the area will be enhanced through better land use, more compact development, and an improved environment and quality of life for users and residents.
• Emphasis is placed on the attractive appearance of the development, the high-quality finish of the buildings, open public spaces, and vibrant activity on part of the ground floors, creating a diverse social life.
• Access to the area will be improved with traffic safety as a guiding principle. There will be good links to the surrounding area and the town centre via footpaths and cycle paths. Good access to the marina will be ensured, and traffic flow at the South Harbour will continue to be guaranteed in harmony with the new development.
• To plan a simple and cost-effective road and path network (footpaths and cycle routes) that serves the settlement in the best and safest possible way, with an emphasis on good accessibility for all.
• That the development plan promotes environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions for the neighbourhood's infrastructure and on every plot, for example, by means of concessions and/or incentives for those who build eco-friendly and certified buildings.
• That planning and decision-making will be in accordance with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, based on the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

Read about sightlines, traffic interests, „The Harbour Jam“ and the squares here and found images that provide inspiration for the design.

Yes, Hafnarfjörður continues to shine into the future!