Reykjavik Council Chairman Calls for Review of Football Pitch Plans Amid Resident Concerns

Einar Þorsteinsson, chairman of Reykjavik's city council, believes it is right to pause and reconsider plans for a new football pitch on Landakotstún, a cherished local green space. The council initially approved the pitch's construction in 2023, with Einar serving as chairman at the time.

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It is right to pause and reconsider the plans for a new football pitch on Landakotstún.

The proposal for an improved football field originated from local children via the "My Neighborhood" website, accompanied by their signatures. However, the project has since expanded significantly under the environmental and planning department, encompassing a much larger area than initially envisioned. Einar expressed that the current scope doesn't fully align with the original request for simply a better football field.

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Then a considerably larger area is being taken for transformation than men expected. It seemed to me that this was not entirely in line with the wishes themselves, which was just to get a better football field.

Andrés Jónsson, a resident living near the field, highlighted the issue, noting in a Facebook post that the meadow is heavily utilized by local inhabitants. Einar agreed that if residents strongly oppose the current proposal, it warrants reconsideration. He emphasized the need to meet the expectations of the children who desire better football facilities and the broader community that uses the space.

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If the residents of the neighborhood are very opposed to this proposal that was presented, then I think there is full reason to reconsider it and try to meet the expectations of the children in the neighborhood who want better facilities to play football and those who want to use the meadow as it was described in this excellent post by Andrés Jónsson.

Einar reiterated the significance of Reykjavik's green spaces. He stated that discussions about urban planning often center on these areas and access to nature within the city. He acknowledged the residents' description of the meadow as a well-used, sheltered, and beautiful spot, underscoring the importance of listening to such feedback and avoiding unnecessary encroachment on green areas.

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The green areas of the city are extremely important. The discussion about planning issues has largely revolved around green areas and access to nature within the city. As the residents describe, this meadow is of course used a lot and it is sheltered and beautiful. We should listen to that and not unnecessarily encroach on the green areas.