samgöngu

samgöngu is an Icelandic term referring to public transportation and mobility within a region. The form samgöngu is often used as a noun or in compounds such as samgönguáætlun (public transportation plan) and samgönguverkefni (transport projects). It encompasses the systems and services that enable movement of people and goods, including buses, trains, ferries, airports, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, road networks, and traffic management.

The word is derived from sam- meaning "together" or "common" and göngu, from ganga "to go" or movement, signaling coordinated mobility. The scope of samgöngu thus covers the functioning transport system as well as the planning processes to improve it. It is a central concept in policy discussions about accessibility, efficiency, safety, sustainability, and urban development.

In policy and planning contexts, samgöngu denotes both the physical networks and the strategic work surrounding them. Governments and municipalities use samgöngu concepts in strategic plans, investment programs, and daily operations to balance outcomes for residents and businesses. Examples of usage include references to samgönguáætlun for long-term planning and to samgönguverkefni for specific initiatives such as new bus routes, road improvements, or cycling infrastructure.

The term is specific to Icelandic but aligns with broader Nordic and European discussions of urban mobility and transport policy. See also public transport, urban planning, and transport policy.