KCAP

Transformation Masterplan Multidisciplinary

Setting the path for a long-term sustainable development and acts as a catalyst to innovate the Icelandic economy

Located 50 km away from Reykjavík’s capital area, at the heart of the Suðurnes region, Keflavík International Airport is Iceland’s main gateway. Weaving an airline network connecting Europe and North America, the region is part of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, making it a highly strategic land of opportunity for both tourism and industry sectors. Building on these numerous potentials, the Keflavík Airport Area masterplan spearheads the airport area as an economic driver for the Suðurnes region and the country, in synergy with the capital city. This ambition has led to the creation of K64, a dynamic brand endorsing the positioning of the Suðurnes Region on the global map: a place for innovation at the crossroads of two continents, fostering exchange between people, knowledge, and goods.

Setting the path for a long-term sustainable development and acting as a catalyst of innovation for the Icelandic economy, K64 outlines new opportunities in the fields of business, transport, te...

Location
  • Kevlavik, Iceland
Client
  • Kadeco (Keflavík Airport Development Company)
Year
  • 2021 - Ongoing
Status
  • Ongoing
Program
  • Strategic masterplan for the development of the Keflavík Airport Area
Disciplines
  • Urban Design
  • Urban Planning
Collaborators
  • Economic and real estate development, collaborative development and organisational readiness: WSP
  • Landscape: Felixx Landscape Architects & Planners
  • Mobility and transport planning: MIC-HUB
  • Consulting economy, mobility and urban planning: VSO Consulting
  • Cargo strategy: Buck Consultants International
  • Climate and aviation mitigation and energy strategy: Buro Happold
  • Place branding: Base Design
  • Consulting airport area master planning: Maurits Schaafma
  • Consulting urban planning and landscape architect: Kanon Arkitektar
  • Emerging aviation technologies (competition phase): Amberg Loglay
Publications

  • The masterplan aims to create ‘facts on the ground’ for the neighbouring communities of Reykanesbear and Sudurnesjabear, with projects that meet existing needs and therefore create strong local ownership. To tackle risks of low-density and low value developments in the vicinity of the Keflavík Airport, focus areas have been identified to achieve high impact and diversification in terms of identity and value creation. With Keflavik airport in the centre and in synergy with the wider region, these focus areas include: Gateway to Iceland, Ásbrú, and Helguvík-Bergvík. To each area its own development strategy, supported by urban design and climate mitigation guidelines.

    The Gateway to Iceland starts the journey at the Keflavík Airport Forecourt, within the ongoing Airport Masterplan, with commercial and visitor amenities, improved car rental facilities and a public transport terminal.

    Connecting the airport area to the the municipality of Reykjanesbær across the future logistics hub development of the Diamond Gate, Aðalgata is a mixed-use cluster offering R&D, community, and residential programs within Reyjkanesbaer.

    Ásbrú’s proposal builds on the practical plan of the former military base to create distinctive clusters with improved connectivity, more services for the community and industry opportunities. Key sites within Ásbrú can densify into residential and manufacturing clusters, including a new urban centre and the airside area focusing on aviation-related activities.

    Building on its strategic location between the port of Helguvík and Keflavik International airport, the area of Helguvík-Bergvík is envisioned as a circular-economy industrial environment, comprising a construction hub and with potential to spearhead energy transition through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) research facilities within K64.

  • The focus areas form a polycentric urban archipelago, a new synergy for the Suðurnes region. The efficiency of this ecosystem leans on mobility, landscape and sustainability strategies:

    The mobility strategy relies on intertwined networks from regional to local scales. Connecting the airport area’s urban nodes for travellers, workers and inhabitants alike, the Keflavík-Reykjavík Link (KRL) will provide a fast, direct, and comfortable connection to Reykjavík. Key points of interchange with local bus lines and «Demand Responsive Transit» (DRT) on-demand system will ensure the KRL’s integration to the communities of Suðurnes and minimize walking distance. Dedicated bikeways and walkways alongside all major roads will open the pensinsula to local tourism. In addition, the proposed R41 road infrastructure will aim to limit interference and nuisance between through traffic  and the urban area of Reykjanesbær.

    Landscape innovation is deployed to integrate climate mitigation and plays a fundamental role as the ‘identity carrier’ for the airport corridor and area at large. Organised as a network of nodes and linear elements structuring the masterplan, the proposed landscape will tie the entire peninsular together into a coherent whole referred to as the Peninsula Park. It will connect communities, mitigate wind through landforms and afforestation and deliver strong social, economic, and environmental benefits, improving the liveability of the area for generations.

  • Building on cooperation between municipalities and stakeholders of the Suðurnes Region, K64 will coordinate ideas and programs to create an attractive and cohesive environment. Carefully phased timelines allow for the different areas to be developed simultaneously and incrementally, providing investors with a trajectory that responds to the market demand and investment landscape over time. This gradual approach also applies to stakeholder relations, which need to be developed with great care to create a resilient and ambitious organization.  The role of Kadeco, as a forward-looking collaborative partner, capable of realizing a vision for change, is vital for the future of the project.

    The multidisciplinary team led by KCAP includes WSP, Felixx Landscape Architects & Planners, MIC-HUB, VSO Consulting, Buck Consultants International, Buro Happold, Maurits Schaafsma, Base Design, Amberg Loglay (competition phase) and Kanon Arkitektar.

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