AMIGOS
AMIGOS is an acronym for "Active Mobility Innovations for Green and safe city sOlutionS" and the project is fully funded by the CINEA institution of the EU. AMIGOS was launched in June 2023 and is a 4-year collaborative project involving 28 entities (universities, institutions, companies) across 16 European countries and beyond.
In Reykjavík, the focus is on transportation improvements for the Hlemmur construction zone, as well as on solutions to encourage residents to use green transportation.
Innovation project focused on safety and experience
AMIGOS is an international innovation project focused on green transportation, safety and accessibility. AMIGOS in Reykjavík has two parts: Hlemmur and behavior.
The Hlemmur project aims to improve accessibility and safety for travelers passing through construction zones in the city considering accessibility and safety.
The behavior project aims to encourage residents to use green transportation using interventions designed by graduate students in social psychology.
Why?
Participating in AMIGOS has numerous benefits. The main objectives and implementation of AMIGOS will support the actions of the Green Deal regarding carbon neutrality, green transportation, 15-minute neighborhoods, and focus on public health, an inclusive community, democratic participation, digital journey, and user-centered services.
Eco-friendly and carbon-neutral communities offer many advantages:
- Enhance traffic safety and people's quality of life
- Benefit the environment
- Spur the economy
- Reduce energy consumption and costs
- Eco-friendly transportation and close proximity to shopping and services
- Strengthen resilience against the impacts of climate change
- Can serve as models for other cities in Europe - and globally
Hlemmur
The AMIGOS project designates the Hlemmur construction zone as a safety improvement area.
A workshop held in October 2024 revealed that travelers feel unsafe when passing through the construction zone, accessibility is inadequate, and people are unclear about which routes are safest and most effective for getting around the area.
The project involves addressing the challenges identified in the workshop to improve accessibility, safety, and the experience for those passing the Hlemmur construction zone and other construction zones throughout the city.
Reykjavík City is working with the Iceland University of the Arts, where graduate students in an architecture course developed designs to overcome the issues raised in the workshop.
The City plans to implement the students' design in fall 2025. The project team will measure the design's impact and then evaluate whether it could improve conditions at other construction zones in the city.
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How?
The involvement of the AMIGOS project includes preliminary analysis and implementation of stakeholder participation, as well as the methodology of co-creation around integrated urban models. The project will conduct systematic collection of mobility data (historical, mobile, observational) and data processing (big data platform, digital twinning, and modeling), along with art-related co-creation with stakeholders with the aim of developing an 'Urban Mobility Toolbox' that could serve future political policy-making and action plans in urban transportation.
Qualitative surveys and analyses will also be conducted. The project will prepare for the implementation of solutions along with testing and measurement of performance-related factors such as assessments of environmental, safety, economic, social, and health impacts. AMIGOS will also handle the dissemination of solutions, communications, and examination of synergy effects in collaboration with related projects.
International innovation and research collaboration
Reykjavík City has systematically worked for several years to increase participation in international innovation and development projects, with involvement from Horizon 2020 and now Horizon Europe. This participation enhances the City's knowledge of progressive ideas and solutions.
Noteworthy large-scale collaborative projects the City has participated in recent years include PaCE, SPARCS, and IMPULSE. The oversight and execution of these projects are managed by the Economic and Urban Development at the Office of the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer, involving various specialized departments.
Contact person
The management of the project in Reykjavík is overseen by the Economic & Urban Development Team at the Office of the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer:
International research and innovation projects:
Team email: aron@reykjavik.is
AMIGOS liaison at Reykjavík City:
Hannah Rós Sigurðardóttir Tobin
Phone: +354 - 411 1111
email: hannah.ros.sigurdardottir.tobin@reykjavik.is
AMIGOS is under contract with the EU's CINEA institution as part of the Horizon Europe research program – Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027). Contract number: 101104268.