Raðhustorg, Akureyri, Iceland

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❖ Raðhústorg, Akureyri, Iceland, 2020[open in full screen]

Previous Arnarhóll, Reykyavik, Iceland

Akureyri is a town in northern Iceland, some 4 hours drive from the capital Reykjavik, and with population of 18,191 is second largest in the country.

Akureyri is situated in innermost Eyjafjörður fjord. It is an old trading station and important fishing town.

The area has a relatively mild climate because of geographical factors, and the town's ice-free harbour has played a significant role in its history.

Raðhustorg, meaning town house square, is extension of the almost pedestrian area of Hafnarstræti Street, leading to this square.

Raðhustorg is hosting old Townhouse building [actually District Magistrate], several cafés and restaurants, guest house and even, as it looks, only tall residential building in the city.

As on any good urban square it is having public art, one is a sculpture of unspecified animal and other mural peaking from the side street. Very interesting detail is that red light on all traffic lights in Akureiri is in heart shape!

Quite pleasant surprise, in my opinion, is attention that city is paying toward pedestrians. Notice how much space is dedicated to them, even on the square motorized traffic is limited to 1/3 of the full circle.

Look at those photos bellow taken from acrose the fjord, that's what Iceland is all about. One more exciting view of the area is this video clip created by Ken.

❖ photos by Ken Grunberg
and Una Janicijevic,
VR by urbansquares

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❖..c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ... s y s t e m..❖
more about evaluation method		more about types of squares
sociability	8	ceremonial	x
uses & activities	8	religious	x
access & linkages	9	social	x
comfort	9	residential	x
image	8	courtyard	x
tourist value	9	with park	x
total	51	street, shopping	x