Lviv continues to expand its network of protective structures: the city is setting up two more modern shelters — next to the Unbreakable Mums centre and on Solodova Street. This was reported by the Lviv City Council.
Next to the Unbreakable Mums centre, where internally displaced Ukrainian women with children live, an above-ground modular cylindrical concrete shelter has been installed. The structure is designed for around 50 people — the same number of people who can stay at the centre at any one time. Utilities are currently being connected and the interior space is being fitted out.
This is the first modular above-ground concrete shelter of its kind in Lviv. Its construction is financed from the city budget and grant funds. The total cost of the project is UAH 3.9 million, of which UAH 1.3 million is a grant awarded for winning the New European Bauhaus Prize 2024.
According to Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, the decision to install the shelter was taken because there is no safe room directly next to the centre, and the nearest shelter is at a distance that requires transport to reach. The Mayor stressed that, given the missile and drone attacks on Lviv, the city plans to install similar modular shelters at several other locations.
Construction of the shelter next to the Unbreakable Mums centre began a few days ago. The modules were assembled in a single day, and specialists from LKP “Rembud” are now connecting the networks and finishing the interior works. According to Taras Kubai, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Construction of the Lviv City Council, the facility will be equipped with an air conditioning system (cold and warm air), ventilation, a toilet, furniture for accommodating people, as well as separate areas for people with limited mobility. All works are expected to be completed by the end of next week.
There are currently 19 people living at the Unbreakable Mums centre: 12 children, 6 mothers and one grandmother. Volodymyr Frydrak, Head of the Children's Services Department of the Lviv City Council, noted that previously women with small children had to walk a much longer distance to the nearest shelter, whereas the new structure is located practically next door, which significantly reduces the time needed to reach safety during an air raid alert.
At the same time, the city is carrying out a major overhaul of a large shelter on Solodova Street with an area of over 200 m². This underground facility has several spacious halls and two entrances/exits. Utilities are being upgraded, a powerful ventilation system is being installed, toilets are being fitted, as well as an automatic door-opening system, internet access and various zones for people to stay in comfort. In the event of an air raid alert, the shelter will be able to accommodate up to 300 people. The renovation is scheduled to be completed by September.
According to Andriy Sadovyi, residents are already using this shelter, but the aim of the renovation is to ensure proper conditions, in particular functioning toilets and high-quality ventilation. The estimated cost of the works is about UAH 4 million from the city budget. The Mayor recalled that the shelter on Solodova was built back in 1957 and is among the older protective structures that the city is gradually restoring.
The Mayor also reported that there are around 5,100 shelters in Lviv, 4,100 of which are located in residential buildings. He emphasised that since the start of the full-scale invasion, there have been no recorded cases in the city of people being killed while in shelters, whereas the greatest danger arises when residents ignore air raid alerts.
The shelter on Solodova Street is the seventh large facility that Lviv is restoring under the city programme for repairing protective structures. Shelters at the following addresses have already been upgraded:
- Horodotska Street — for 300 people;
- Pokhyla Street — for 200 people;
- Telihy Street — for 110 people;
- Kalicha Hora Street — for 350 people;
- Kharkivska Street — for 300 people;
- Shevchenka Street — for 200 people.
The City Council notes that plans include the renovation of several more large shelters. They are also considering involving residents in fitting out premises that currently do not have shelter status but could be converted into protective structures with co-financing from the budget, similar to the city programme supporting balcony repairs.
Background
The Unbreakable Mums centre provides temporary accommodation for pregnant women and mothers with children who have been forced to relocate because of the war. It was built in July 2022. The centre provides housing and social services. Since it opened, almost 150 women and children have found refuge and support there.
The restoration of old large shelters in Lviv is being carried out under the programme for the repair and fitting out of premises belonging to the civil protection shelter fund in the communal ownership of the Lviv urban community for 2022–2024, which has been extended to 2025–2027.
A video about the arrangement of shelters in Lviv can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/iLfgApa0enw?feature=oembed