The Copenhagen metro shelter concept is under examination as Danish authorities evaluate whether parts of the underground network could provide civil protection in emergencies.
Copenhagen metro shelter: scope and timeline
In May, the Ministry for Civil Security and Emergency Preparedness (Minister for samfundssikkerhed og beredskab) and municipalities began a nationwide review of shelter capacity and conditions. As part of this mapping, officials are assessing whether metro stations—if their walls and glass panels meet pressure thresholds—could operate as supplementary shelters in Copenhagen.
Pressure resistance and operational limits
Bjarne Nigaard, head of secretariat at Danske Beredskaber, said the metro’s underground location offers a degree of inherent protection from blasts.
“Because it sits below ground, there is natural protection against attacks and explosions. It is therefore relevant to examine whether the pressure the metro can withstand is sufficient for it to function as a good shelter,” he noted.
Technical evaluations will focus on structural resilience, crowd management, ventilation, and access control, alongside coordination with the operator Metroselskabet.
Lessons drawn from Ukraine’s wartime experience
The inquiry takes inspiration from Ukraine, where urban metro systems have been used as ad‑hoc shelters during missile barrages. Rasmus Dahlberg, associate professor and academic lead at the Royal Danish Defence College’s Centre for Civil Security, welcomed the review:
“As a rule of thumb, the more we know about our capacities and vulnerabilities—and about the threats and risks we face—the easier it is to make informed choices that strengthen our societal security.”
Government measures on shelters and underground sites
Minister for Civil Security and Emergency Preparedness Torsten Schack Pedersen (V) has signalled several concrete steps on the shelter agenda, including an assessment of state‑owned underground facilities that could supplement capacity. Metroselskabet confirmed it is working with relevant authorities to map the opportunities and limitations of any conversion of stations for protective use.
Nordic urban resilience and next steps
If feasibility is confirmed, Copenhagen’s transport infrastructure could become part of a broader urban resilience approach seen across parts of Europe. For the Nordic region, integrating existing transit assets into civil protection planning could improve accessibility and reduce costs, but decisions will depend on the outcome of structural tests, safety protocols, and funding allocations. Authorities are expected to detail timelines and any pilot locations as the national shelter review advances.
