City Viewer of Reykjavík celebrates 25 years
In December 2024, Reykjavík's City Viewer celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The story began in 1988 when Reykjavík's City Engineer, City Planning, and utility companies (Central Heating, Electricity, and Water) with Icelandic Post & Telephone, joined forces to build a geographic information system. The City Executive Council formally approved the collaboration in July 1989. Data entry into the system started in May 1990.
Six years later, in 1996, all basic themes were in place for all of Reykjavík – buildings, lots, streets, and utility piping. This groundwork was essential for developing the infrastructure that made the City Viewer possible.
First version and system development
The first version of the City Viewer launched in December 1999. It was simple but marked a big step in public and professional access to geographic data. Initially, users could view about 20 themes, including piping and developments. Over time, the system became more diverse, evolving with new technology and user needs. Today, nearly 200 themes are available in the City Viewer.
Old City Viewer and assessment system
In 1997, an assessment system emerged, allowing users to access data through a web interface for a fee. The old City Viewer (I. Borgarsjá) arrived in 1998, offering data analysis but requiring special software installation for users. In 2004, the old City Viewer merged with the web City Viewer (I. Borgarvefsjá), making access even easier.
Interestingly, Google Maps didn't appear online until February 2005 – five years after the City Viewer.
Importance of City Viewer today
The City Viewer is now an essential tool for residents, businesses, and institutions, providing comprehensive access to data that supports better decision-making and planning. Its development is a great example of how collaboration and technological innovations can lead to lasting community improvements.
We celebrate this milestone and look back proudly on the City Viewer's 25-year successful history. It has been key in developing Reykjavík's digital service solutions and will undoubtedly continue to evolve with future needs.