Borgarspítali site in the Urban Planning Portal

Ritstjórn
Borgarspítali

An informational meeting for residents took place at Víkin in Fossvogur on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The meeting covered Reykjavík City's priorities, a proposed municipal plan amendment, a draft land-use plan change, and the Mental Health Council's priorities.

Resident forum

Nýr Landspítali ohf. hosted an open meeting for residents and other stakeholders to discuss the Borgarspítali land-use plan change on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Víkin in Fossvogur. This amendment establishes a land-use plan for a site south and east of the existing Borgarspítali/Landspítali Hospital in Fossvogi to accommodate a new psychiatry wing for Landspítali Hospital. The planning description is available in the Urban Planning Portal, where residents and stakeholders can submit comments until Sept. 22. For additional information, contact the Reykjavík City Department of Environment and Planning.

Agenda of the meeting

  • Reykjavík City's priorities, goals, and proposed municipal plan amendment: Sigríður Maack, project manager, and Haraldur Sigurðsson, head of division for the municipal plan, Department of Environment and Planning, Reykjavík City
  • Draft land-use plan change: Halldóra Bragadóttir, Kanon Architects
  • Mental Health Council priorities: Páll Matthíasson, chair of the Mental Health Council
  • Discussion
  • Helgi Davíð Ingason, department director of the design department at Landspítali Hospital, chaired the meeting.

The meeting outlined plans for the development of a new Landspítali Hospital mental health facility and a new land-use plan, directing attention to the planning description in the Urban Planning Portal.

Beautifully designed, low-rise buildings with easy access to green spaces

Páll Matthíasson, chair of the Mental Health Council, emphasized the urgent need for a new mental health facility in Iceland. Older buildings cannot accommodate modern sciences and treatments in this field. A modern building serves as part of the treatment itself, with recovery-oriented design incorporating nature, light, activity, privacy, and connection. The Fossvogur location provides both proximity to nature and access to health care services.

What kind of mental health facility does the Mental Health Council envision? Páll highlighted single-family houses, gardens, light, accessibility, humanity, and dignity — in other words, a setting that supports independence and recovery. The way we care for our fellow citizens when they struggle reflects the kind of society we want to build. Páll believes beautifully designed, low-rise buildings with easy access to green spaces can become a genuine asset and source of pride for the surrounding community.

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