Out now: The Country Profile of Iceland

ARL International ARL International
published on 20/03/2023

The low population density in Iceland as a whole (3.65 inhabitants/km²) and the concentration of the population in the capital Reykjavik, where two-thirds of the population live, make the country unique. This is accompanied by the fact that in Iceland regional planning is voluntary except for the seven municipalities that form the capital region.

Actual issues in Iceland are amongst others various interests concerning the use of land such as the preservation of wilderness areas, the development of infrastructure for energy provision (hydro, geothermal and wind) and energy transmission lines as well as infrastructure for tourism (roads and accommodation).

There it may be helpful that from the year 2023, all planning proposals and documentation related to the planning process will be accessible in a national planning portal (skipulagsgátt).

Want to know more? Read the complete Country Profile of Iceland authored by Ásdís Hlökk Theodórsdóttir here

Are you interested in how spatial planning works in other countries? Have a look at our collection of Country Profiles.