This project examines how urban densification in the Reykjavik Capital Region can align with residents’ expectations regarding housing, lifestyle, and sustainable travel behavior. It emphasizes that successful implementation depends on understanding residents’ needs and securing social acceptance, which is essential for reducing private car use in the long term. The study is based on the premise that densification—rather than continued sprawl—can strengthen the viability of services, public transport, and active mobility, thereby reducing travel distances, traffic, and greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, densification in Iceland faces context-specific challenges, including climate, geographic conditions, and cultural attitudes toward housing. The project aims to identify the key factors that enable densification policies to align with residents’ expectations and support a shift toward more sustainable travel patterns. Drawing on existing research on livable environments in northern contexts, it will define neighborhood qualities that influence well-being and daily mobility. A survey will assess how international principles apply in Iceland and which planning approaches best support sustainable mobility. The findings will inform policy and planning for sustainable urban development and integrated land use and transport systems.