Imagine a city that’s not just expanding outwards, but downwards. This is the reality in Helsinki, where an ambitious vision for a vast underground city is taking shape.
A City Beneath the City
Helsinki is leading the way in underground urban development. Planners have unveiled plans to create over 400 underground facilities spanning a massive 9 million cubic metres. This project, already underway, will complement existing underground infrastructure like the tunnel network connecting the central station to a nearby shopping centre. This existing network, originally built to facilitate construction, is now being repurposed as a vital underground supply circuit for the city, easing traffic congestion in the heart of Helsinki’s Old Town.
More Than Just Tunnels: A Network of Innovation
This underground revolution doesn’t stop at transportation. The Stockmann department store, a European icon, has just finished expanding its retail space by 10,000 square metres, all built underground. Meanwhile, the “Pisara,” Finnish for “the drop,” will be a new underground rail link connecting Helsinki’s suburbs to its central station. Adding to this impressive infrastructure, a high-speed rail link to Vantaa airport is also on the horizon.
From Churches to Shopping Malls: Underground Wonders
Helsinki is no stranger to underground marvels. The city boasts Europe’s largest underground bus station, and its iconic Temppeliaukio Church, carved into solid rock, attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. This unique church, with its exceptional acoustics, is a popular venue for concerts.
A Deep Dive into Innovation
Helsinki’s embrace of underground construction extends beyond transportation and tourism. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) headquarters, built to withstand even a nuclear attack, boasts four underground levels for storage and conference halls. Just outside the city centre, Europe’s largest underground shopping mall in Itäkeskus offers not only retail therapy but also a swimming pool, an ice rink, and numerous saunas, a quintessential Finnish experience.
Connecting Continents: The Baltic’s Underground Ambitions
The ambition for underground construction stretches beyond Helsinki’s borders. A 50km undersea tunnel connecting Helsinki to the Estonian capital Tallinn is being proposed, promising to boost regional development and reduce dependence on sea transport. While this project awaits government approval, similar ventures are underway in other parts of the Baltic Sea region. Denmark, for example, is building an 18km immersed tunnel connecting the German island of Fehmarn to Denmark, creating a fixed link between Zealand and Germany.
Underground Exploration in Sweden: From Mining Cities to Historic Secrets
Across the Baltic in Sweden, the underground boom is particularly evident in Stockholm, where the city’s rich history meets cutting-edge engineering. Under Lake Mälaren, a new tunnel is being carved out, providing a unique access route to the city while skirting around the historic Old Town.
In the north of Sweden, Kiruna, a city built on iron ore, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Half a kilometre underground, a vibrant network of underground galleries offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of mining, complete with cafés, museums, and even brightly lit streets. This subterranean city, open 24/7, offers a unique tourist experience.
However, this impressive infrastructure comes with a poignant twist. The rich iron ore deposits beneath the city mean that Kiruna’s residents will eventually need to relocate, a complex and challenging undertaking.
Underground Living: A Scandinavian Trend
Scandinavia, known for its expansive landscapes and garden cities, is now embracing the underground, particularly in Norway. The country’s long coastline has spurred the construction of numerous underground and undersea tunnels, including the world’s longest road tunnel connecting Oslo and Bergen, spanning nearly 25 kilometres.
Why this newfound fascination with underground construction in a region known for its open spaces? It seems Scandinavians are voting with their wallets and their feet. They’re willing to pay a premium to live in city centres, and with their traditional aversion to skyscrapers, the logical solution is to dig deep. The future of Scandinavian cities, it seems, lies beneath the surface.
