A work group in cooperation with the city of Reykjavík has recommended that no buildings be constructed that are taller than six stories, in order to ensure that residents can have a view of the natural surroundings.
Behind the idea is the belief that Reykjavík’s environs, which includes Mt Esja and (on a clear day) Snæfellsjökul, should be protected by directing approval of planning projects to keep the maximum height of buildings in the downtown area between four and six stories. In this way, most city residents will be able to continue to enjoy the sight of these natural surroundings.
Halldóra Vífilsdóttir, an architect and the chairman of the group, told RÚV that while in some instances it could be permissible to allow buildings to be taller than this, that “residents should be able to enjoy the view, and see for example Esja and Snæfellsjökul. A large part of being a Reykjavíkingur and being an Icelander is having the environment that we live in, and it’s a part of the residents’ quality of life to be able to enjoy these environs, and plan construction around them.”