Economic and Urban Development 2025
The mayor's informational meeting on business and infrastructure development was held at Reykjavík City Hall on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 from 9-10:30am.
The meeting was livestreamed, and a recording of the event is available below, along with presenter materials.
Time and place
Reykjavík City Hall, Friday, October 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m and live broadcast.
Recording available here >>
Business and infrastructure
This year's meeting are focused on sciences and innovation; retail and services in the city's neighborhoods; and the development of major business districts, infrastructure, and industries.
Program
Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, Mayor
Strong and diverse business environment in Reykjavík
The mayor outlined the big picture. Exploring how innovation and forward-thinking are essential for making Reykjavík attractive for the future. It will explain how the city is working to create a good environment for local retail and services, and will also provide an overview of its main business districts and infrastructure development.
- View the mayor's presentation slides - available here as a PDF. Note: Videos shown during the mayor's presentation are included in the recording.
Peter Bur Andersen, Co-Creative Director, BRIQ
How do we shape local character and strengthen services and businesses in neighborhoods?
How can we bring life to commercial and service spaces and create a strong sense of place? What is required for effective policy making, and who should take part in shaping urban life? Peter Bur Andersen discusses the city's mixed-use approach, the importance of clear strategy and prioritization, collaboration between the City and developers, and how these partnerships can create attractive and vibrant urban environments.
Róbert Aron Magnússon, executive director
Kolaportið's renewal
The future of Kolaportið was uncertain for a time, but after Reykjavík City intervened, contracts have been renewed. The new operators will share their ideas, expectations, and vision for the future.
René Boonekamp, entrepreneur
Haus. A community for creative people
There's a lot of underutilized property in the city that could be repurposed to create vibrancy, spark creativity, and build communities.
Svanhildur Konráðsdóttir, CEO of Harpa
The Harpa effect
Was building and operating Harpa a good investment? Overview of key findings from the report on the economic impact of Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center.
Þórey Einarsdóttir, executive director of UI Science Park
Deep tech center
Kamma Thordarson, project manager
The Creative and Commercial City
What matters in economic development today? Will there be enough hotels in 2030? Do we need more commercial lots?
Þór Sigfússon, founder and board chair of the Iceland Ocean Cluster
The 100% House at Grandi
The planned new building by the Iceland Ocean Cluster at Grandi, the "100% House," will foster further blue innovation at Grandi, which is designated as an innovation district in the City's Employment Policy. The 100% House will also showcase the exemplary innovation and sustainability of Iceland's fisheries industry.
Moderator: Hulda Hallgrímsdóttir, team leader at the Office of the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer
The meeting agenda was adjusted due to time constraints, so it was not possible to show the presentation that had been recorded for the meeting. The presentation is available below:
Life Sciences Hub
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Dr. Sandra Mjöll Jónsdóttir-Buch, science and innovation specialist at Fönn Ráðgjöf
The life sciences village in Vatnsmýrin
Sandra Mjöll presents the main findings from a recent study mapping life and health sciences companies in Iceland. She covers the industry's growth, the opportunities and challenges companies are facing, and how life sciences can create value, jobs, and an improved quality of life for society.
The mayor's previous informational meetings on Economic and Urban Development
Photos from previous meetings - Economic and Urban Development meeting 2024
Would you like more information
You can subscribe to the mailing list to get more information about developments in Reykjavík.
You can also send us an email at athafnaborgin@reykjavik.is
and here is information about the Employment & City Development Team of Reykjavík, part of the Office of the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer.