Lively discussions at the mayor's open meetings in Árbær and Háaleiti/Bústaðir

Among Einar Þorsteinsson's first tasks as mayor is to invite open dialogue in the city's neighbourhoods, where people are invited to discuss what is being done well and to communicate what could be done better.

Lively discussions about the neighbourhoods people care about

It can be said that in both neighbourhoods people agreed that their neighbourhood was the best in the city, but in both places, there were also many ideas about what could be done to improve the neighbourhood even more.

In Árbær, it is clear that the proximity to nature is of great importance to the residents, especially the connection to the Elliðaárdalur valley. Then the meeting guests discussed the advantages of short access to all services and expressed their satisfaction with vigorous sports activities. It is not different from what happened in Háaleiti and Bústaðir, where there was talk of good access to various services, excellent sports activities and proximity to good walking and cycling paths and nature. In Réttarholtsskóli there was also talk about good neighbourhood cohesion and in Árbær about successful settlement consolidation.

The school work in both districts received a lot of praise, and the flourishing work in Árbæjarskóli and Réttarholtskóli was especially mentioned, and there was also good talk about the professional kindergarten work in Fossvogur. School housing issues were also discussed and maintenance issues and the impact on work in elementary and kindergartens in the neighbourhoods were discussed. However, one attendee at Réttarholtskóli wanted to express his great satisfaction with the Ævintýraborg housing in the Voga district and said he would like to see more such buildings.

Many residents said they would like to see more coffee shops and/or restaurants in the vicinity of their homes and were asked what the city could do to facilitate this.

Sports clubs like the heart of the neighbourhood

 

There was a very positive and constructive discussion about sports activities in the neighbourhoods and the important work being done by Víkingur and Fylkir. People believe that sports activities can be improved even more and measures were discussed to increase the participation of children of foreign origin. At the meeting, it was stated that a new leisure coordinator has started working in Austurmiðstöð, and various ways to increase and facilitate the participation of this group in sports activities were discussed.

Everywhere where residents' meetings have been held, there are ideas for further development of sports facilities, and it is clear that the ambitious work of the sports clubs has a lot of supporters.

It is important to hear what is on the residents' minds

Detailed meeting reports are taken of these open meetings and reports will be sent to apartment councils for further consideration. "It is very important for me to come and meet you and hear what is most important to the residents," said the mayor at the end of the meeting at Réttarholtskóli this afternoon, and said that he intends to take these discussions and comments made at the meetings into his work for this term.

The next resident meetings will be:

• Grafarholt and Úlfarsárdalur | Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11:00 
• Kjalarnes | Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 14:00 
• Hlíðar | Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 11:00 
• Laugardalur | Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 14:00 
• Vesturbær | Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11:00 
• City Center | Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 14:00