Iceland has one of the highest divides between wealthy and poverty people in the world. One result is that private construction is improvised and not meant to last.

Frakkastigur, Reykjavik

While government construction is sturdy and maintained.

The Church at Borg

This is not new. Private, circa 1945:

Private, 2016:

Government:

Looking out from the Harpa Concert Hall over the New Harbour in Reykjavik

Well, OK, government-financed completion of failed rich man’s extravagance. That’s part of the picture, too.