During the Cold War, Denmark embraced a concept known as total defense, a comprehensive approach that underscored the idea that national security extended far beyond the military realm and into the very fabric of society.
In this spirit, primary schools were designed with practical foresight: classrooms were equipped with sinks and running water, and doorways were intentionally sized to accommodate hospital beds. This adaptation allowed for swift transformations into emergency medical facilities in times of crisis. Moreover, legislation mandated that residential buildings accommodating more than two families include fortified security rooms in their basements. Many parking garages even had the potential to serve as effective shelters. Notably, around 40 percent of the civil defense command centers found their home in the basements of primary schools, illustrating the profound integration of defense strategies into everyday life.
