Reykjavík’s roadsides : using roadside vegetation as a source to increase biological diversity in urban environments

Abstract: With the expansion and densification of urban environments, natural and man-made, open and green areas get lost for buildings and transportation systems. It is therefore crucial to take care of the green areas and ecologically favourable environments to support urban biodiversity. Proper plant selection, species composition, sustainable stormwater management and respect for ecosystem services and the planning site itself, are essential links to promote sustainable and biologically diverse urban environments, which at the same time preserve the city’s aesthetical values. The Reykjavík roadsides and the Icelandic flora play a leading role in this master thesis. Roadsides and the overall street environment in cities, plant community function and Icelandic conditions are addressed together with the research question: What are the current conditions for biodiversity in roadsides in Reykjavík and how to improve urban biodiversity and create a more sustainable road environment? Three different planting design approaches, Plant signatures, Alternative lawn and Go wild/Spontaneously vegetation, were chosen as a foundation for the formation of the conceptual design proposal for chosen intersections in Reykjavík, Hringbraut. These approaches all have different methodology regarding planting design, but they all aim at the same goal, at creating a naturalistic planting that enriches biodiversity. The results from the theoretical research and the conceptual design are that there is a great need for further studies in Reykjavík, regarding reclamation of native vegetation in roadsides and the urban area in general. Street vegetation in Reykjavík is homogeneous, and knowledge in the field is lacking so further appropriate actions can be taken. Therefore, creation of testing ground for native plant use in Reykjavík's roadsides is a convenient way to gain knowledge regarding the subject and get to know how people working with the urban environment can use that platform for further experiments and at the same time disseminate knowledge. By obtaining knowledge regarding the development site, respecting it and its capacity and celebrating the existing material, successful results can be achieved in the field of naturalistic planting design in roadsides in Reykjavík.