Traffic safety, transit improvements and neighborhood upkeep top concerns for Vesturbær and Miðborg residents.

The Vesturbær resident forum took place at Vesturbæjarskóli at 11 a.m. on a sunny Saturday in Reykjavík.

This was Mayor Einar Þorsteinsson's ninth resident forum, and like the previous ones, the event opened with a conversation about what residents value most about their neighborhood. The mayor said he wanted to hear what residents felt was worth preserving and to gather ideas for positive qualities that could be replicated in other parts of the city.

Vesturbær residents had plenty of praise for their neighborhood. The Vesturbær swimming pool was mentioned most often, along with the area's attractive surroundings and convenient location. Residents also praised the easy access to a wide range of cultural activities, mentioning the sea, the schools, a walkable environment, numerous playgrounds, and the beloved sports club KR.

Car-free residents call for better transit

Traffic safety was a top concern for attendees, who called for key improvements. Attendees also called for better infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, with many noting they do not own a car. Residents said that funding must be secured to complete renovations at Hagaskóli and also called for better connections to the Grandi shopping area, ideally with improved bus service. Some residents called for a review of the current paid parking policy in residential areas. "More Jumping Pillows," one resident suggested to broad approval, and for good reason: the features have proven popular with Reykjavík residents and have frequently been chosen through the My Neighborhood participatory democracy project.

Preschools were also discussed, with attendees describing the situation in Vesturbær as poor compared to many other neighborhoods. The mayor said that funding was not the issue, but that the Cneeded to address various other obstacles, adding that preschool and primary school issues were a top priority.

"I wasn't born in this neighborhood, but I moved here as fast as I could," said one attendee, who added that visiting other parts of the city makes them homesick. The comment drew warm agreement, and attendees went on to talk at length about the neighborhood's village-like atmosphere and strong community spirit.

Technology played a role in the forum, allowing attendees to submit suggestions on their phones and see a live summary on screen.

Appreciation for diversity across the board

The Miðborg forum took place at Spennistöðin, next to Austurbæjarskóli, at 2 p.m. and drew a strong turnout. When asked what makes the neighborhood great, residents ranked Tjörnin—the city pond—near the top, along with the central location and the diversity of its culture, services, and architecture.

"The best thing about our neighborhood is all the squares—and more keep being added," said one resident, to broad agreement. "There's always energy and life, with people filling the squares." "Amazing!"

"The best thing about our neighborhood is all the squares—and more keep being added."

Community pride: the word of the day

Topping the list of concerns was neighborhood upkeep and cleanliness. Parking challenges and graffiti were also discussed, while opinions were divided on densification—whether the neighborhood needs more or less of it. Residents also raised the need for greater consultation, along with concerns about waste collection and vehicle speeds. Some called for more green lanes, and one attendee suggested revitalizing the islets in Tjörnin.

Community pride emerged as a key topic of conversation and, by the end of the day, stood out as the defining theme. Residents of both neighborhoods value the sense of goodwill and warmth in their communities and want to preserve their village-like feel and strong local culture.

These were the final forums in the mayor's neighborhood series, and the City sincerely thanks all attendees for their participation.