A circular public park on the university campus, clearer connection to the nature preserve in Vatnsmýri, a city street with CityLine and diverse public spaces for wellness and recreation are among the features found in the University of Iceland Development Plan. The plan aims to create a unified university campus that equals the world's best university campuses. Reykjavík City has worked with the University of Iceland planning committee on this comprehensive vision for the university campus over recent years in collaboration with domestic and international experts.
Development plans serve as policy-shaping comprehensive visions and guiding planning tools for stakeholders when coordinating, designing and implementing buildings and environments. "The development plan defines main priorities and overall character for individual parts of a defined area that will then be finalized in formal land-use plans," according to the plan's introduction.
University campus in the heart of the city
The development plan aims to create a comprehensive and beautiful university campus in the heart of the city. The development plan sharpens the unique characteristics of Vatnsmýri and uses the spirit of place to prioritize existing environmental values.
The plan also expects green transportation on and around the university campus to be strengthened. This will happen through the arrival of CityLine and walking and bike paths that better connect buildings on the campus while also better connecting the university campus to Vesturbær, the city center and Skerjafjörður. The goal is to reduce general car traffic to the area and decrease parking spaces.
Reykjavík strengthened as a university city
The public spaces outlined in the plan will serve university citizens and all city residents, for example for wellness, recreation, teaching and research. "The development plan's comprehensive vision aims to strengthen the University of Iceland and the university community, while also strengthening Reykjavík as a university city," the plan further states.
The development plan's implementation is expected to be phased and the project will be carried out in step with construction projects in the area, parking fees and implementation of the Transportation Charter. The plan identifies four initial phases that involve development of the so-called Ring Garden, which is a circular public park east and west of Suðurgata, development of CityLine and connecting the slope below the Main Building to the nature preserve in Vatnsmýri.
