Valdimar Víðisson – Mayor of Hafnarfjörður (2022-present)

• Born: 1965 in Hafnarfjörður• Party: Independent (previously affiliated with Samfylkingin)• Education: B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, University of Iceland; MBA, Reykjavík University

Career in brief– 1990-2005: Project manager and later director of the Hafnarfjörður Public Works Department (Veitur & Vegagerðin).– 2006-2014: CEO of Faxaflóahafnir (Associated Icelandic Ports) – oversaw the merger of the Reykjavík and Hafnarfjörður harbours.– 2014-2022: Deputy Mayor & Head of Infrastructure, Hafnarfjörður.– 15 June 2022: Sworn in as Mayor after winning the 2022 municipal election with a broad centrist coalition.

Key initiatives since taking office

              1.          “Hafnarborg 2030” harbour redevelopment: converting 8 ha of old fish-processing sheds into mixed-use waterfront housing and a new maritime innovation centre (first phase opens 2025).

              2.          Geothermal district-cooling pilot: first Icelandic town to run summer district-cooling loops using 60 °C geothermal fluid, cutting electricity demand by 18 %.

              3.          School modernisation: allocating 2.3 bn ISK to rebuild two primary schools to the “Nordic Swan” eco-standard.

              4.          Social housing: 150 new rental units reserved for young families, financed via green-bond issuance (2023).

              5.          Blue-carbon research: expanding the existing kelp-farming trials in Faxaflói bay in partnership with the Marine & Freshwater Research Institute.

Controversies– Faces criticism over the proposed Sundahöfn freight-rail spur, which would cut through a protected lava field; an environmental impact assessment is underway.– Labour unions have protested the outsourcing of school-meal services to a private caterer.

Personal noteValdimar is an avid kayaker and can often be seen paddling from the old harbour at dawn. He hosts a monthly “Morgunmál með bæjarstjóra” breakfast where residents can raise issues over coffee and kleinur.

ContactOffice of the Mayor, Hafnarfjarðarkaupstaður, Strandgata 6, 220 HafnarfjörðurEmail: bæjarstjóri@hafnarfjordur.isTel: +354 585 5500