2. Dense and mixed development

Growing City

Goals of the Green Deal in finance, development, and employment matters.

Reykjavík City's goal for housing construction is to build 1,000-1,500 new apartments per year until 2030 in dense, mixed-use development with neighborhood sustainability as a guiding principle.

  • The city has grown, and the number of residents and jobs has increased while emissions from car traffic have decreased
  • In the last decade, 10,000-15,000 new dwellings have been developed in Reykjavík, all on densification sites that enhance the sustainability of neighborhoods and make better use of the city's infrastructure
  • 80% of the new dwellings are within the influence area of the CityLine, and at least 90% are within the current urban limits
  • A diverse range of housing options is available for all groups - 25% of the new dwellings in neighborhoods have been built by nonprofit housing organizations.
Key areas for development: Ártúnshöfði, Skerjafjörður, Vogabyggð, and development areas along the CityLine.

Related actions

The table below contains actions; more information can be accessed by clicking the "action title" in the table.
Action name Status Completion Updated Departments
Housing plan In progress 2025 July 2025 Office of the Mayor & Chief Executive Officer
Department of Environment & Planning
Green housing of the future In progress 2026 July 2025 Office of the Mayor & Chief Executive Officer
Ártúnshöfði In progress 2025 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning
Skerjafjörður In progress 2025 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning
Kjalarnes In progress 2024 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning
Keldur In progress 2025 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning
Better Transport
Idea search for planning of the Borgarspítali site (City Hospital), Sóleyjarrimi and Safamýri In progress 2025 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning
Affordable housing for young people and first-time buyers In progress 2025 July 2025 Office of the Mayor & Chief Executive Officer
Department of Environment & Planning
Reinventing Cities In progress 2026 July 2025 Office of the Mayor & Chief Executive Officer
Department of Environment & Planning
Quality of life communities In progress 2025 July 2025 Office of the Mayor & Chief Executive Officer
Department of Environment & Planning
Housing for disabled individuals Completed 2022 January 2023 Department of Welfare
Office of the Mayor & Chief Executive Officer
Department of Environment & Planning
New map view of housing construction Completed 2022 January 2023 Office of the Mayor & Chief Executive Officer