Street redesign in Hlíðar
Yesterday, Reykjavík City's Environment & Planning Council approved authorization to continue preparation, design work and creation of tender documents for changes to one-way streets in the Hlíðar neighborhood and renewal of Langahlíð street, following preliminary design drawings.
Veitur Utilities plans to replace underground pipes in Hlíðar over the next few years, which will require major disruption to street surfaces throughout the neighborhood. This creates an opportunity to reimagine the street spaces based on experience and residents' changing needs.
Langahlíð is scheduled for conversion into a city street in line with the Hlíðar neighborhood plan. Drápuhlíð will also be renovated and a sidewalk will be added on the side where it is missing. These changes aim to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists while making the entire area safer and more environmentally friendly. The project will also introduce Sustainable Drainage Systems that reduce strain on the existing sewer system and treat stormwater.
Consultation with residents and stakeholders
The planned changes support the City's policies on stormwater management and green transportation. Last year, a survey asked residents to choose between two different designs for the one-way streets. The design that received about 75% of the votes keeps the current number of parking spaces but changes diagonal parking to parallel parking, which allows for adding sidewalks on both sides and implementing Sustainable Drainage Systems. Keeping the current design with parking was not offered as an option because it doesn't meet traffic safety requirements or support the goals of Reykjavík Municipal Plan 2040 for a walkable city.
Reykjavík City also requested official statements from residents' associations and stakeholders. The official statements received emphasized the importance of traffic safety and ensuring consideration for increased services and development in the area. Project preparation will continue as it has been proceeding.
Next steps
Construction to renew utilities will start this year on Langahlíð and Drápuhlíð, with other neighborhood streets scheduled for the following years. Drápuhlíð will serve as a model for how other one-way streets will be designed.
By approving the proposal, the council laid the groundwork for improvements that will create better accessibility, a more environmentally friendly environment and increased safety in the Hlíðar neighborhood.
