Architect: Tallinn Unprepared for Large-Scale Sheltering
Architect Toivo Tammik warns that Tallinn lacks adequate shelter spaces and mass evacuation is unrealistic. He calls for adapting existing and new underground spaces and urges community-level action.
Tallinn would face serious challenges if tens of thousands of residents suddenly needed shelter, warns architect Toivo Tammik. According to him, Estonia's capital does not have enough well-prepared locations where people could quickly and safely take refuge in an emergency. Tammik argues that mass evacuation is not a viable solution in modern warfare.
He emphasizes that people cope best in familiar surroundings—near their homes, workplaces, or local shops. Therefore, they need to be able to take shelter there. However, he cautions that basements are not always safe, as many are in poor condition and could become hazardous themselves during a crisis. Some basements could be adapted relatively quickly, for instance by covering window openings with sandbags. "If there's already about 60 centimeters of soil in front, that will stop fragments coming through the window," he explains.
For longer stays, water supply, sanitation, and ventilation must also be addressed. Tammik recommends that apartment associations begin actively working on the issue and explore available support measures. He believes the problem extends beyond the condition of individual basements. All construction should consider how existing and new underground spaces could serve as shelters in emergencies. "We probably can't build specialized facilities covering thousands or tens of thousands of square meters, so it would be good if they could be used for multiple purposes," Tammik says.
He notes that opportunities to create shelter spaces are often missed during the design phase of new buildings. He cites school and kindergarten projects where designers proposed shelter areas in basements, but these were not implemented. "Since the legislative framework still allows not doing it, it isn't done," Tammik observes.
In many cases, adjusting ongoing construction projects could generate significant added value at relatively low additional cost. "Maybe you lose a month, maybe construction costs increase by ten percent, but you gain an entire complex," he states.
Tammik asserts that the security situation will increasingly influence urban planning. He points to lessons from Ukraine, where people must account for drone threats and use existing underground infrastructure for shelter. "How we move from place to place, how we protect ourselves from drones, how relocation takes place—these factors are changing the paradigm of urban design," he says, referencing Kyiv's deep metro network as an example that serves as a shelter during wartime.
He adds that solutions are not solely the responsibility of the state or local governments. Individuals can also assess their own options in case of danger. Solutions can range from upgrading existing basements to building simple protective structures in public spaces. Estonia has historically advanced through collective community effort, and a similar approach is needed again. "Now it's once again a time for communities," Tammik remarks.
He stresses that the situation should not be underestimated. "The situation is serious. If you want things to remain calm, a lot of effort is required."
