Urban densification has gone too far

The push for profitability in urban planning is threatening the quality of architecture and diminishing the livability of new developments. So says Helga Guðrún Vilmundardóttir, the newly appointed chairwoman of the Icelandic Association of Architects, in an interview with Morgunblaðið.

While she acknowledges that urban densification can have many benefits, Vilmundardóttir warns that it is sometimes taken too far.

“The density of the settlement and the distance between buildings is such that apartments do not enjoy natural light for a large part of the year,” she says. “Residents and users should be at the forefront, and Icelandic architecture should create a good and productive framework for our society.”

Architects must be heard

She also stresses the importance of architects taking a more active role in shaping public discourse and urban development policy.

“Architects need to assert themselves in discussions about the shaping and development of settlements. The big issue is that we, as professionals, continue to work hard and emphasize quality in the built environment.”

Quality of life comes first

For Vilmundardóttir, designing buildings is about more than aesthetics or efficiency — it’s about shaping everyday life.

“The residents and their needs should always be at the forefront when new buildings are designed and constructed,” she emphasizes. “We are creating a quality of life for people here. Housing is the framework of people’s lives, so it’s vital to do our work well. That belief is what guides us.”