Eco-friendly and
green emphasis
The neighbourhood plan emphasizes green and environmentally friendly settlements and every effort is made to maintain the current green areas and strengthen the neighborhood spirit and community awareness of the residents
Quite a number of comments and observations were received concerning the maintenance and management of open areas and public spaces, when the working proposals for the neighbourhood plan were presented in the summer of 2020. These have been forwarded to the relevant offices. Many also expressed concerns about too much encroachment on green areas in the neighbourhood plan.
Breiðholt has the benefit of having large open areas in the outskirts such as the Elliðaárdalur valley and the Vatnsendahæð highland. Within Breiðholt itself there are also many excellent green areas, large and small and each with its own character. New developments that are outlined in the neighbourhood plan are for most part within areas that have already been scheduled for development in the municipality plan, or are in areas that are ill-suited for outdoor activities, such as along traffic arteries and in parking areas.
Accordingly there will be very little encroachment upon green areas in Breiðholt which will nevertheless enjoy great environmental qualities.
New developments are for the most part within areas that have already been scheduled for development in the municipality plan, or are in areas that are ill-suited for outdoor activities
- Public health and the biosphere
- City farming
- Waste and sorting
Policy map for the quality of living
The map shows an overview of the open areas in Breiðholt, such as neighbourhood parks, play areas and quiet areas. Also labelled are neighbourhood plazas and noise barriers, which improve the acoustics in the area.
Map: City of Reykjavík
Public health and the biosphere
Good access to open areas and an emphasis on green solutions in the neighbourhood plan contributes to greater public health and a diverse fauna within the city limits. The neighbourhood plan sets forth terms and conditions intended to strengthen open areas, increase permeable surfaces, protect vegetation against unnecessary disturbance and to support further growing of vegetation on house lots and on city land. Special natural characteristics are also protected in the terms and conditions, e.g. endangered plant species and noteworthy geological formations.
The zoning plan map defines open areas according to different uses, such as neighbourhood parks, resort areas and play areas, and special quiet areas. In order to improve acoustics the neighbourhood plan has sound barriers along streets with heavy traffic.
The intention is to promote public spaces, both parks, resort areas and quiet areas in all parts of the city sector
City farming at Stekkir
The picture shows how the area to the north of Stekkir might appear with the addition of urban agriculture, such as kitchen gardens, hothouses and garden houses and more.
Illustration: Jakob Jakobsson architect.
City farming
Terms and conditions have been set out regarding city farming on house lots and on city land. Kitchen gardens, which promote outdoor activities and the consumption of healthy vegetables and at the same time also contribute to better utilisation of valuable land, will be permitted. In the neighbourhood plan, there is a focus on green infrastructure and city farming in two areas. On the one hand in an open area south of Stekkjarbakki and north of the single family houses at Stekkir and on the other hand in the open area at Jaðarsel, to the east of the kindergarten Jöklaborg.
It is assumed that provisions for permits for city farming, i.e. kitchen gardens, will be wider in scope than at other locations within the city limits. A temporary construction of greenhouses or storage sheds will be permitted, and the connection of water and energy and the area can be demarcated with vegetation, fences or by other means.
Kitchen gardens, which promote outdoors activities and the consumption of healthy vegetables and at the same time also contribute to better utilisation of valuable land, will be permitted
City farming in Breiðholt
The map above shows the area in Seljahverfi where city farming is possible. The map to the right shows the city farming area in Lower-Breiðholt.
Map: City of Reykjavík
Green emphasis
The picture shows ideas for green emphasis at Austurberg in Upper-Breiðholt, such as with a variety of tree specimens, green roofing, horticultural garden plots an more.
Illustration: DLD – Dagný Land Design ehf.
Waste management
In recent years there has been great emphasis on increased waste management and reuse/recycling.
In the coming years one may expect that further demands will be made for the sorting process taking place at homes and in work places in order to minimize the quantity of waste being sent for waste burial in landfills.
The neighbourhood plan presents terms and conditions that are intended to facilitate the sorting of waste in homes and in work places. It will be permitted to build shelters, hedges or sheds on all housing lots for waste. At apartment buildings and in commercial buildings, containers can be placed on the surface or underground. Compost bins for biological waste, which return nutrient-rich soil, can be put on housing lots.
Neighbourhood recycling stations are at the same time becoming a fixed item in plans and there is an emphasis on having underground containers placed centrally in the area when urban roads are redesigned. It will also be permitted to build shelters or enclosures at neighbourhood stations for the collection of useful objects.
