Bunker mentality: the Nordics’ cold war shelters being given a new lease of life
Finland, Sweden and Norway modernise underground infrastructure as Russia’s war in Ukraine revives fears of conflict on their soil
TL;DR
- Finland, Sweden, and Norway are upgrading their underground civil defense shelters due to heightened security concerns linked to the war in Ukraine.
- These shelters, from WWII and the Cold War, are being adapted for dual use, serving as public amenities like swimming pools, sports centers, and data centers during peacetime.
- Despite their recreational uses, the essential protective infrastructure, including ventilation systems and blast doors, is maintained and kept operational for potential emergencies.
- Finland has a significant capacity of civil defense shelters, with most being private, while Helsinki's public shelters exceed the city's population.
- Sweden utilizes former bunkers for purposes like data centers, and Norway has a mixed approach, with some historical sites preserved as museums and others facing neglect.
- The concept of 'total defense' is being adopted by Norway and aligns with the modernization efforts in Sweden and Finland, preparing all sectors of society for crises.