Austurheiðar is an outdoor recreation area for horseback riding, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, berry picking, tourism and ultralight flying, just to name a few activities. Online meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 25, on Reykjavík City's Facebook and at reykjavik.is/austurheidar.
More and more people are using Austurheiðar for outdoor recreation, creating a growing need for a strategic plan for the area's development. The current planning process had to consider the diverse groups of people who enjoy outdoor recreation, including horseback riders, cross-country skiers, mountain bikers, fat-tire bikers, hikers, runners and ultralight flying, to name a few.
The framework plan area boundaries cover about 930 hectares. The area covers most of Austurheiðar, along with Hólmsheiði, Grafarheiði and Reynisvatnsheiði. Within the area are Rauðavatn and Reynisvatn, along with the portion of Langavatn that lies within Reykjavík's municipal boundaries.
Austurheiðar is an expansive highland area where vegetation has changed considerably since the Icelandic Institute of Natural History published its report on nature in eastern Reykjavík in 1996. The highland, which was previously barren in many areas, has largely become forested, and lupine fields cover large portions of the area.
Moorland and forestry dominate Austurheiðar, which shapes the bird life there. Common species include moorland birds like golden plover, whimbrel, common snipe and meadow pipit, which are found throughout the area. Redshank nest near wetland patches, in the grassiest hollows and in lupine groves.
Online meeting June 25 and inquiries
Austurheiðar is an extensive area worth getting to know. Reykjavík City's Department of Environment & Planning is holding an informational meeting about the framework plan on Thursday, June 25, at 5 p.m. The online meeting will take place here on reykjavik.is and on Reykjavík City's Facebook page. The public is invited to submit questions before the meeting to skipulag@reykjavik.is, and presenters will work to answer them during the session.
The meeting agenda begins with opening remarks from Sigurborg Ósk Haraldsdóttir, chair of the Planning & Transportation Council. Then Óskar Örn Gunnarsson will review Landmótun's proposal for the Austurheiðar framework plan. Also attending the meeting will be Þórólfur Jónsson, head of division for nature and gardens; Björn Axelsson, Planning Officer; and Björn Ingi Edvardsson, project manager.
Netsamfélagið will broadcast the meeting.
Links
Current planning announcements: Austurheiðar