Strengthening neighborhood centers
Large centers with diverse services and shops are within the district and on its outskirts, e.g. Kringlan and Skeifan. On the other hand, convenience stores have almost disappeared from some neighborhoods or the services have decreased from what it was previously. The work proposals of the neighborhood plan set out ideas for reversing this development and putt the neighborhood centers in the district in the spotlight, not least to increase retail and services within walking distance for as many residents as possible.
There are ideas to put neighborhood centers in the district in the spotlight, and increase shops and services within walking distance for as many residents as possible.
Miðbær by Háaleitisbraut
The main service center of the neighborhood and the goal is to further strengthen local services there.
Image: City of Reykjavík.
Miðbær by Háaleitisbraut
Miðbær by Háaleitisbraut is the main service center of the neighborhood and the work proposals of the neighborhood plan propose to strengthen the local services that are available in the neighborhood and build more service and retail premises next to it, between Safamýri and Miklabraut.
These plans are in line with the ideas set out in the working proposals for densifying the settlement along Miklabraut by permitting the construction of multi-unit buildings in vacant areas on the development plot by Miklabraut and on the corner of Miklabraut and Háaleitisbraut.
Along with such densification, there would be scope to foster more diverse services, which would be only a 15-20 minute walk for numerous residents. The neighborhood center in Miðbær would also benefit from this development with the associated strengthening of retail and other local services within walking distance. These ideas also align with the plans for Háaleitisbraut as an urban street with green areas that are to be intertwined with the public space of the street.
Along with densification, there would be scope to foster more diverse services, which would be only a 15-20 minute walk for numerous residents.
Possible development at Miklabraut and Háaleitisbraut
Ideas of the neighborhood planning consultants for further development of the urban street Háaleitisbraut and Miklabraut as a boulevard with Borgarlína.
Drawing: Jakob Jakobsson architect.
It is also intended that square and street markets will be permitted at the shopping center Miðbær and close to the neighborhood park along Háaleitisbraut and in the vicinity of Fjölbrautarskólinn at Ármúli. It may also be noted that construction has already begun on a service plot between Safamýri and Álftamýri, as well as on a plot by Starmýri 2.
Austurver by Háaleitisbraut
Few neighborhoods are as well positioned for local services as the Leiti-Gerði neighborhood, which is adjacent to Kringlan’s shopping and service area.
Nonetheless, the work proposals of the neighborhood plan emphasize the strengthening of local services in Austurver. There are ideas to promote further development in the immediate vicinity of the shopping center, for example an increase in the number of apartments along Háaleitisbraut. There is also a willingness to promote further strengthening of local services at Grensásvegur by proposing further development of the plot.
There are also ideas for allowing square and street markets in several places in the neighborhood, i.e. on the urban street Háaleitisbraut.
The work proposals of the neighborhood plan emphasize the strengthening of local services in Austurver
Sogavegur-Réttaholtsvegur
It is hoped that it will be possible to increase the supply of shops and services in the Bústaða- og Smáíbúðahverfi neighborhood, i.e. on the corner of Sogavegur and Réttarholtsvegur.
Image: The City of Reykjavík.
Sogavegur – Réttarholtsvegur
Due to its proximity to Skeifan and Kringlan, access to a variety of shops and services in the Bústaða- og Smáíbúðahverfi neighborhoods is reasonable if the services are accessed by car. The proximity to this large shopping and service center has also meant that services within walking distance within the neighborhood have decreased significantly from what they were a few decades ago and convenience stores have almost disappeared, except on the corner of Sogavegur and Réttarholtsvegur.
The work proposals of the neighborhood plan are optimistic that it will be possible to turn this process around and increase the supply of retail and services on the four urban streets in the neighborhood; Sogavegur and Réttarholtsvegur within the neighborhood and Bústaðvegur and Grensásvegur on its periphery.
There are also proposals to allow square and street markets in several places within the neighborhood, i.a. to strengthen the neighborhood spirit and community awareness.
It is hoped that with the work proposals of the neighborhood plan, the supply of shops and services at Sogavegur and Réttarholtsvegur will be increased
Grímsbær by Bústaðaveg
he same applies to access to shops and services in Fossvogshverfi and in Bústaða- og Smáíbúðahverfi. It is easy to access services by car in Skeifan and Kringlan, but in addition there is the neighborhood center Grímsbær in Fossvogur that also serves Bústaðahverfi to the north of the street.
The neighborhood plan contains ideas to strengthen the neighborhood center at Grímsbær to increase diverse services within walking distance, concurrently with the change of Bústaðavegur into an urban street, and give it much more value with an renewed setting and environmental improvements.
The aim is to create an appealing square around Grímsbær where it will be possible to host various events that strengthen the neighborhood spirit and community awareness, as was often mentioned in the public consultation with residents and stakeholders in earlier stages. It could, for example, be a seasonal marketplace and could also feature art in a public space, which could create new landmarks within the neighborhood.
The work proposals assume that it will be permitted to build an extension south of Grímsbær, perhaps some kind of glass structure, which can, for example, house an enjoyable greenhouse and café. It is the opinion of the consultants that it could become a very popular meeting place for the residents of the neighborhood and visitors, as there was a special request for a café in this location earlier in the public consultation process with the residents.
There are also proposals that in the Fossvogshverfi neighborhood, street and square markets will be permitted by Skógarvegur, in the city park in Fossvogsdalur and by Traðarland/Víkingur Sports Club.
There are ideas in the neighborhood plan to strengthen the neighborhood center at Grímsbær to increase diverse services within walking distance
