The Bunker Mentality

Does your residential locality offer viable air raid shelters? Even with the contemporary array of military weapons used, a bunker or air raid shelter maintains its usefulness, relevance and viability. The strength of concrete utilised, the location of such shelters and practical accessibility to them in the event of an emergency all count as significant. Why do specific cities, societies or nations take the trouble or have the foresight to build them? Is it because they have learnt from the past of the damage incurred in all out confrontations, or is it due to strategic planning and proactive mindsets? Usually places or communities which feel vulnerable can be small city states, with populations that embrace financial vibrancy and growth and with leadership that value their citizens more than most. It is thereby surprising that dynamic Dubai has no air raid shelters. Dubai lies at the crossroads of vital trade, shipping and airline routes. In contrast, Singapore integrated a bunker room early on with the layout of its social housing. In regions that physically seem to be distant from the usual hubs of war in history, one may assume that there can be no sense in building bunkers. This logic is smashed by the presence of bunkers in Hobart and Brisbane, on the eastern coasts of Australia - although they were built related to the 20th century world wars, I understand they are not truly maintained for 21st century politics. Bunkers are also a favourite tool to hide from an ugly outside world, the stuff of scifi movies and novels. They hold a peculiar fascination for the human pysche. There are websites that provide guidance on what to stock in such bunkers. Northern Europe has serious bunker interests in communities that deeply feel a need to protect them regarding incursions from nearby nations. Bunkers need to consider impacts of climate, ventilation, energy and supply requirements. Above all there is a necessary layer of secrecy and privacy. Most of all is the concern on whether the bunkers can be destroyed easily, in these days of deployment of missiles and drones. Are bunkers essentially a temporary tool of survival? Is the public drilled and trained in how to use them? Do bunkers need more than concrete to be strong? Can digital technology enhance or reduce the viability of a bunker's usefulness? #yongkevthoughts