Overview

Spatial

Landscape

Industry

Knowledge

Mobility

Cargo

Energy

Strategies

The spatial strategy develops focus areas designed to add value to existing assets and develop new character areas within the low density context. It positions KAA as 'the gateway to Iceland’, a shared identity for local communities, an area for cross-sector collaboration and a unique arrival experience for visitors.

In planning terms, the airport area is characterised by a large amount of land reserved for (re)development in local plans, which distribute different programmes according to administrative boundaries rather than a cohesive spatial approach. This overcapacity of land in a low-density context creates a risk of dispersed and unsustainable sprawl-type of urbanisation.
<ul><li>Existing land coverage ratio: 14%</li><li>Existing built areas: 880 ha</li><li>Additional planned areas in local plans: 1700 ha</li><li>Population: 24.169 (2022)</li></ul>

The spatial strategy has six main objectives:

To reverse a risk of unsustainable sprawl-type of urbanisation, the spatial strategy proposes to focus on the development of few strategic spots with a high impact in terms of identity and value creation.
With Keflavík Airport in the centre and in synergy with the existing areas, these focus areas form the airport archipelago. They develop into unique and complementary entities that complement rather than compete

Urban design can address key aspects such as climate mitigations, compactness and mix of functions in a cohesive response to make the urban fabric more sustainable, varied and comfortable.
Building more compact, in clustered typologies with moderate densities offers the opportunity to create more protected open space. Striving for mixed use areas that bundle commercial and social programs in their centre generates more socially interactive neighbourhoods.

Design solutions on various scales: Implement diverse spatial and programmatic measures to ensure sustainable developments through smart compact development and active mobility
<ul><li>Compact development against sprawl</li><li>Promote 15 minute towns</li><li>Create programmatic synergy</li></ul>

Building on the existing urban structure of the focus areas enables gradual change as well as strengthens the identity and character of the future built context.
Carefully densifying existing structures also minimises unsustainable greenfield developments as a key aspect of sustainable urban practice.

Strengthening the existing passenger, aviation and air cargo based sectors will springboard an airport related ecosystem for ‘hospitality’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘efficiency’.
Starting from the well-developed air network, the airport area can build on local strengths: logistics, MRO and tourist infrastructures, including synergetic clusters such as the resource park.
In doing so surrounding municipalities’ social-economic profiles can be improved by building on the potential of these already existing activities.

As the country’s main point of entrance, Keflavík International Airport should serve as the Gateway to Iceland, offering a memorable arrival experience. 

From the public space at the forecourt to the airport corridor, a curated approach to airport area design can make the airport a showcase of national identity and become appealing for everyone - passengers, workers and residents alike.

The masterplan provides a great opportunity to provide high quality social infrastructure for the local population and families of international workers.
Quality schools, colleges, housing, health care and leisure facilities will retain more workers, students and families in the Suðurnes region. This will also have major environmental benefits as people will travel less to the capital region. Along with these facilities, skills and training institutes will also help the local residents to transition towards new and high value industries. Improved mobility services would provide better accessibility to these facilities and create a cohesive social fabric to integrate young skilled migrant and domestic workers with an ageing population.

Natural growth scenario: 
3,900 – 4,000 housing units required by 2050
Forecasted growth scenario (with masterplan):
7,900 – 8,000 housing units required by 2050

The masterplan will create new growth opportunities in the region reflected in new housing stock for the growing local population and international workers.
Around 3,100 new homes are planned for the next 10 years according to the current local community plans, and both Suðurnesjabær and Reykjanesbær require a further 3,900 – 4,000 additional housing units by 2040. The diagram on the right shows how the demand for housing is expected to exceed supply from 2026 onwards, based on the current planned housing plans. 
The program of activities in the masterplan could increase housing demand by an additional 7,900 – 8,000 housing units by 2050.
A mix of housing types is recommended to accommodate seasonal workers, international construction workers, international high-skilled expat workers and an increasingly aging population.

Strategies

A dynamic archipelago

Context

Cohesive airport archipelago through focus areas

Advance building culture in response to context

Establish a distinct spatial logic for airport related sectors

Pleasant arrival and departure experience for those starting the journey

High quality community infrastructure

Additional homes and increased variety in line with market demand