National planning
National Planning Policy
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Current policy
The National Planning Policy presents a coherent national approach to spatial planning, covering the entire country as well as marine and coastal areas.
A Parliamentary Resolution on the National Planning Policy for 2024–2038 was adopted by Alþingi (the Icelandic Parliament) in May 2024 and published in a more accessible format in spring 2025.
The National Planning Policy 2024-2038 lays down three core objectives rooted in sustainable development: environmental and nature protection, social well-being and a competitive economy.
Each objective is supported by að set of focus areas along with implementation guidelines for planning in four distinc geographic contexts: the central highlands (M), rural areas (D), urban areas (Þ) and in marine and coastal areas (H). The accompanying action plan includes specific measures and projects to implement the policy's objectives.
In the published version of the policy, all focus areas and implementation guidelines are organized according to this geographic classification, making it easier to identify what applies to planning in each area.