Borgarspítali site in the Urban Planning Portal

Ritstjórn
Borgarspítali

An informational meeting for residents took place at Víkin in Fossvogur on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The meeting covered Reykjavík City's priorities, a proposed municipal plan amendment, a draft land-use plan change, and the Mental Health Council's priorities.

Resident forum

Nýr Landspítali ohf. hosted an open meeting for residents and other stakeholders on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Víkin in Fossvogur to discuss a proposed municipal plan amendment near Borgarspítali. This amendment establishes a land-use plan for a site south and east of the existing Borgarspítali/Landspítali Hospital in Fossvogi to accommodate a new psychiatry wing for Landspítali Hospital. The municipal plan amendment is available in the Urban Planning Portal, where the public can submit comments through Sept. 22. For additional information, contact the Reykjavík City Department of Environment and Planning.

Agenda of the meeting

  • Reykjavík City's priorities, goals, and proposed municipal plan amendment: Sigríður Maack, project manager, and Haraldur Sigurðsson, head of division for the municipal plan, Department of Environment and Planning, Reykjavík City
  • Draft land-use plan change: Halldóra Bragadóttir, Kanon Architects
  • Mental Health Council priorities: Páll Matthíasson, chair of the Mental Health Council
  • Discussion
  • Helgi Davíð Ingason, department director of the design department at Landspítali Hospital, chaired the meeting.

Organizers presented plans for the development of Landspítali Hospital's new mental health facility alongside a new land-use plan, while also directing attendees to the amendment in the Urban Planning Portal.

Beautifully designed, low-rise buildings with easy access to green spaces

Páll Matthíasson, chair of the Mental Health Council, emphasized the urgent need for a new mental health facility in Iceland. Older buildings cannot accommodate modern sciences and treatments in this field. A modern building serves as part of the treatment itself, with recovery-oriented design incorporating nature, light, activity, privacy, and connection. The Fossvogur location provides both proximity to nature and access to health care services.

What kind of mental health facility does the Mental Health Council envision? In a brief remark, Páll emphasized single-family houses, gardens, ample natural light, accessibility, compassion, and dignity—elements that create a setting designed to support independence and recovery. How we care for our fellow citizens during their most difficult moments speaks volumes about the kind of community we strive to build. Páll believes beautifully designed, low-rise buildings with easy access to green spaces can become a genuine asset and source of pride for the surrounding community.

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