Reykjavík is a coastal city in Iceland facing growing challenges from climate change, urbanization, and overwhelmed infrastructure. Throughout this research, the primary objective is to explore the potential of a landscape-based blue-green network to enhance climate resilience an
...
Reykjavík is a coastal city in Iceland facing growing challenges from climate change, urbanization, and overwhelmed infrastructure. Throughout this research, the primary objective is to explore the potential of a landscape-based blue-green network to enhance climate resilience and serve as a foundational element for water management, ecological inclusivity, and sustainable urban development in Reykjavík’s historical center. Research questions were formulated to provide a framework for investigating the evolution of Reykjavík’s socio-ecological system, understanding the challenges and potentials associated with current dynamics, and exploring how landscape-based approaches can address these challenges effectively and become applicable spatial design. A comprehensive methodology is employed, encompassing an extensive research and literature review on the applied theories of landscape resilience, and landscape based urbanism with focus on Reykjavík’s historical center. Nature based solutions and sponge-city principles are used as a methodological approach to develop design interventions applicable to the urban context of Reykjavík. The findings indicate that by establishing a blue-green network with integrated hydro- and ecologically inclusive design principles, in- creased climate resiliency can be attained and such network contributes to the goals of the municipal plan of Reykjavík, the ambitious goals of gaining carbon neutrality before the year 2040 in Reykjavík, as well as it complies with tightened requirements on water management for all countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). In summary, this research underscores the significance of landscape-based design approaches for increased climate resilience by establishing a green-blue structure where nature, people and urban development provide a cornerstone for Reykjavík's future resilience.