The Norwegian government wants to bring back a requirement for all new buildings over a certain size to include bomb shelters, citing lessons learned from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The move would revive a rule that ended in 1998.
It’s one of a raft of measures proposed by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl in a report presented to Norway’s top legislature, the Storting, on Friday, Norwegian state broadcaster NRK reports.
“There is more uncertainty around us. We must take care of the civilian population, in case there should be a worst-case scenario with war or armed attack,” Mehl said.
She added: “We have learned a lot about what a modern war looks like, and we also see there that shelters and cover have been important for protecting the civilian population. We are also forced to have that with us in Norway, and it must be part of Norway’s preparedness going forward.”
The report proposes more than 100 measures based on the recommendations of the Total Emergency Preparedness Commission.
It envisages buildings over 1,000 sq m – such as apartment blocks, schools and hospitals – having bomb shelters able to withstand attacks.
The report estimates the requirement would add around €2,560 (NOK30,000) to the cost of an apartment from 1 January 2026, when the rule could take effect.
“This will be part of the cost that must be included in new construction projects over a certain size,” Mehl said.
“It is right to set such a requirement now. The public sector should also take responsibility for preparing and building more shelters, which are intended for the general public.”
Lars Jacob Hiim, chief executive of the Norwegian Housing Producers Association, told NRK: “We understand that the changed security situation means that we must reconsider how we protect our population, and that such a requirement may arise.
“It is important that this does not become a cost that is imposed on every single housing project, because it is already far too expensive to build new homes. So here we must find a way for society to bear the cost.”
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