ABOUT ÚRBANA

SHAPING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Hrafnkell Proppé is the founder and CEO of Úrbana Planning Consultants. He has years of experience with high-level coastal and urban planning, as well as the development of a new public transportation system for Iceland, with an emphasis on fostering a vibrant, urban life for a more sustainable future.

Hrafnkell was instrumental in shaping a new planning strategy for the capital area in Iceland, leading the preparation of the Capital Area Regional Plan for 2040 (is. Höfuðborgarsvæðið 2040). The plan emphasised a sustainable, urban environment, introducing a new emphasis on integrating future development with high-quality public transportation.

The cornerstone of this effort is the Borgarlínan Bus Rapid Transit project, where Hrafnkell directed and helped create the foundation for a new public transportation system in the capital area, collaborating with leading experts in the field, including renowned public transport expert Jarrett Walker and COWI engineers.

After the BRT project’s formal establishment, Hrafnkell served as its Project Director for a period of three years, contributing to the initial design of the project’s first phase.

Hrafnkell also served as the division head for Strategy and Communications at National Planning Agency, where he participated in implementing a new coastal planning framework and developing guidelines for sustainable urban planning.

Over the years, Hrafnkell has delivered numerous lectures on urban planning and transportation and has been involved in lecturing and mentoring at the University of Iceland, Reykjavik University, and the Agricultural University of Iceland. From 2017 to 2021, Hrafnkell has been an Icelandic representative in a Nordic expert group on sustainable urban development under the auspices of the Nordic Ministerial Council.