01 Proposal for the Miklabraut Cap

The missing puzzle piece

The area south of Norðurmýri has many manifestations in its short history of approximately 100 years of urbanization in Reykjavík. Currently, it is split by heavy traffic making access to green spaces difficult.

Neighborhood core

Miklatorg will be a new neighborhood core tying together Norðurmýri, Hlíðar, Hlíðarendi, and Þingholt, including through the property of the New Landspítali. Miklatorg also serves as a critical connection point of these neighborhoods with other neighborhoods in the city and the capital area as a whole.

The development of this new central area is made possible by the addition of the Miklabraut Highway Cap, which connects the previously mentioned neighborhoods in a continuous urban pattern, prioritizing safe and attractive routes for environmentally friendly modes of transport. Miklatorg is the missing puzzle piece to connect the urban pattern of Norðurmýri, Hlíðar, Hlíðarendi, and Þingholt/New Landspítali.

Highway cap implementation

The cap is on one level, lying where Miklabraut/Hringbraut is today. Two lanes in each direction. Snorrabraut lies on the surface above the cap (crossing the cap) and connects to Bústaðavegur at surface-level intersections. Snorrabraut has four lanes, two lanes for CityLine and two for car traffic. Snorrabraut is connected to Bústaðavegur and Arnarhlíð at surface-level intersections north of the end of Hlíðarendi.

Bústaðavegur lies north of Hlíðarendi and connects to Snorrabraut and Arnarhlíð at traffic light-controlled intersections. Bústaðavegur connects to Hringbraut via on and off-ramps by the side of the tunnel opening to the west.

Miklabraut Highway Cap

In accordance with the Transportation Charter of the capital area, it is planned for Miklabraut to be capped. Through traffic is thus directed underground, while public transport and slow neighborhood traffic coexist harmoniously with other modes of transport above ground. This will improve air quality and reduce noise pollution, both within the neighborhood and in nearby neighborhoods. Improved pedestrian flow on the surface will encourage the use of more environmentally friendly modes of transport and enhance the cityscape.

Urban layout

Miklatorg Square is a new, diverse center offering trade, services, and commercial premises mixed with various types of dwellings. The CityLine route complements this new, densely developed cityscape, serving as one of the pivotal strategies in shaping it. The proposal portrays a 3-5 story construction using the forms and aesthetic of the developed neighborhoods surrounding Miklatorg. Hence, the pattern of peripheral buildings is most evident in the south and west parts of the area, closest to Hlíðarendi, with detached buildings becoming more common closer to Hlíðar and Norðurmýri. This pattern anticipates that workplaces could be located on the southern and western edges of the area. Dwellings are on the inside and sheltered from the noise of Bústaðavegur and the tunnel entrance of Miklabraut Highway Cap. Mixed development is expected near Miklatorg itself, at the intersection of Snorrabraut and Hringbraut.

CityLine

At Miklatorg, there will be a CityLine hub that makes public transportation to and from the neighborhood swift, regardless of traffic congestion. To the west, the CityLine route will go all the way to Harpa and the University of Iceland in a designated space, and to the east, the route will go to Grafarvogur and Mosfellsbær.

Heading south, the CityLine route will go over the Kársnesbrú bridge to Kópavogur, Garðabær, and Hafnarfjörður. This will make Miklatorg a bustling hub where people will seize the opportunity to run errands, shop or meet up during their daily travels.

The square and central station

The square will be surrounded by spaces for shops, services, and catering that ensure a high level of service and contribute to a pleasant, efficient, and sheltered passenger journey across the area.

Green areas and ecosystems

Miklatorg is a green oasis over the busy main road, forming a continuous green connection between Vatnsmýri, Klambratún, and Öskjuhlíð. It significantly increases the city's variety of opportunities for outdoor activities. Pedestrian, running, and bike routes connect effortlessly. Also, children and other athletes can safely get to and from the sports fields at Hlíðarendi. There is an emphasis on a green path that connects Klambratún and the sports field at Hlíðarendi clearly.

The green path plays a vital role in managing surface water with sustainable drainage solutions. Along the path, there will be resting and experience places. The former Hagkaup building could potentially serve a purpose on the path in a reconstructed and improved form, for example, as a café and for cultural and community activities.