"Get a car, you loser!" : The roots of car-dependency in Reykjavík (and how to break free from it).

Abstract

The most influential document of planning policy in the history of Iceland is arguably The Reykjavík Municipal Plan, 1962-1983, which was published and unanimously approved by every city council member in 1965. It‘s main author was Danish urban planner and professor, Peter Bredsdorff, and therefore the municipal plan was referred to as „the Danish Plan.“ Ironically, few Danes would consider this plan to have anything to do with Danish urban planning as we know it today. Essentially the plan that turned Reykjavík to a suburban, private car dependant city. As car dependancy grew, active modes of transport were less apparent and public transport stagnated or fell behind. This research would focus mainly on a) finding the roots of car dependancy in history, economic and social influences, and what has stood in the way for Iceland to change course and join the likes of Bergen in Norway, where a light rail system was opened in 2010 and has transformed the city.