The concept of Finnish civil defence shelters

Purpose The aim of this study was to describe the development of Finnish civil defence shelter construction from the 1920s to the present. The purpose of the article is primarily to share information about the birth and development history of the Finnish civil defence system. Design/methodology/approach The study is a literary study, including the stages of legislative preparation. The research data is analysed using path dependency theory. The study uses path dependency theory to analyse the development of civil defence shelter construction. Findings The paper provides empirical picture about how the development of construction of civil defence shelters was started by voluntary basis and then development was stipulated by legislation. Path dependency can be used to explain how previous investments in infrastructure or technology have affected decision-making. The technical system of shelters was preserved in terms of conventional pressure protection and developed through changes in the socio-economic system as well as by the threat of nuclear war. Research limitations/implications The study describes solely development of Finnish civil defence shelter concept. There is a need for a separate international comparative study of developments in different countries and international strategies for civil defence. Practical implications The paper reviews the step-by-step development of Finnish civil defence shelters over time, including legislation and technical standards, highlighting the importance of civil defence shelters. Originality/value Several Finnish-language studies have been published on the historical development of the construction of Finnish civil defence shelters, but the internationally published unified historical review has not previously been published. This study provides Finnish model and example for the development of civil defence.