About this write The New York Times.
Helsinki hides a veritable underground city carved into the granite bedrock. This massive network, housing over 900,000 people (more than the entire population of the capital), was built as a bomb shelter after World War II and during the Cold War. But instead of sitting idle, these underground spaces have become a key element of modern urban planning, serving as a model of sustainability and functional architecture.
A playground occupies one of the many civil defense shelters dug deep into the bedrock near Helsinki, Finland. Photo: Vesa Laitinen
Today, the Finnish capital demonstrates a unique approach to the use of space:
A dual-purpose underground city
Instead of building expensive and non-functional facilities, Finland has integrated bomb shelters into the everyday life of the city. They serve a dual purpose.
One of the most popular cave locations near Helsinki is the Itäkeskus swimming pool, which has three pools, two water slides, six saunas and a gym. Photo: Vesa Laitinen
In peacetime, most large storage facilities function as sports arenas, swimming pools (such as the Itiakeskus Hall), shopping malls, underground parking lots, and even playgrounds (as in the Merihaka storage facility). Daily use ensures that the facilities are constantly maintained and ready for use.
Kamppi metro station serves as a civil defense shelter in Helsinki. Photo: Vesa Laitinen
If necessary, these facilities can be converted into full-fledged civil protection shelters within 48–72 hours.
The underground shelter also houses a Formula kart. Photo: Vesa Laitinen
In total, there are over 50,500 shelters across the country, capable of housing 4,8 million people (almost the entire population of Finland). This is one of the most advanced civil defense complexes in the Western world.
Urban and security philosophy
Helsinki's storage system is not only a technical solution, but also a philosophical approach to urban development and security that has been taking shape since the 1960s.
Vapaan Taiteen Tila, an event space buried in a cave near the University of the Arts Helsinki, hosts musical performances, techno parties, theater productions, and art exhibitions. Photo: Vesa Laitinen
First, Finnish law requires that any building with an area of more than 1,200 square meters (according to other sources, 600 sq. m.) have its own civil defense storage facility.
Second, many of the large bunkers are carved deep into the granite bedrock and are designed to withstand powerful explosions, radiation, and chemical contamination. The bunkers are equipped with self-sufficient ventilation systems, air purification, and water and food supplies.
Many shelters, including the one with the go-kart track, have nondescript entrances. Photo: Vesa Laitinen
Finally, in densely populated areas, the use of underground space allows for the preservation of open public areas on the surface, which is a key value of Scandinavian urbanism.
A new focus on readiness
Against the backdrop of the worsening international security situation, especially after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Finland's accession to NATO in 2023, the original purpose of the underground network has taken on new meaning.
The underground cavern spaces are protected by blast doors and reinforced with sprayed concrete and steel reinforcement. Photo: Vesa Laitinen
Finnish authorities regularly conduct training and assessments of the readiness of storage facilities, which underlines their “culture of preparedness.”
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