City of Well‑Being
Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir hosted an open meeting about quality of life in Reykjavík on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. The discussion covered how community connection, diverse physical activity and nutrition can enhance quality of life for Reykjavík residents.
How do we work to improve quality of life?
The agenda includes presentations covering various City projects that support public health.
The meeting aims to highlight the factors that can improve residents' health and well-being and to discuss what's essential for a good quality of life.
Everyone is welcome.
Meeting livestream
Physical activity, community connection and nutrition are key focus areas at the mayor's open meeting about quality of life in the city.
How do we enjoy the quality of life the city offers and how do we protect it?
Program
Moderator: Harpa Þorsteinsdóttir, project manager for public health
- What is quality of life?
Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, Mayor - Outdoor Play, All Year Long
Atli Steinn Árnason, head of the Outdoor City Office - Biking and skiing during school hours; equal public health opportunities for ALL
Stína Bang, nature school project manager - Environmental impacts on quality of life
Rebekka Guðmundsdóttir, urban design division - Reykjavík, full of life!
Benedikt Traustason, environmental quality office - Value of urban forests for health and well-being
Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson, forest ranger - The magic of swimming culture in Iceland
Margrét Leifsdóttir, architect and wellness coach - Coffee break
- New Grófarhús – library for all residents
Guðrún Lilja Gunnlaugsdóttir, head of innovation division - Putting Families First
Mariska Kappert, project manager for Gerðuberg - Food cities taste better – work on food policy and action plan in Reykjavík
Bryndís Eva Birgisóttir, professor of food and nutrition science - Free school meals, lessons from the first school year
Dr. Ellen Alma Tryggvadóttir, nutrition project manager at the Office of the Director of Health - Seljagarður – neighborhood-run community garden
Brynja R. Guðmundsdóttir, Seljagarður board member