Academic Insights seminar: Urban preparedness in the Baltic Sea region - what people fear and how unprepared we are

How do city residents respond when they recognize real risks but fail to prepare for them? A two-year study from the University of Latvia, Urban Preparedness for Emerging Risks in the Baltic Sea Region, compares how people in Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius and three major German cities perceive and prepare for major crises. The findings show a clear pattern: concern is high, but concrete preparation is low.

“We found a clear mismatch between what people fear and what they actually do,” says Dr. Ieva Birka, political scientist and project lead. “Many express concerns about systemic risks such as energy shortages or conflict, but few take meaningful steps to prepare. This gap poses a real challenge for building resilient cities.”

Gender gaps in preparedness

The study also reveals persistent gender differences. Women tend to report higher concern about crises but lower confidence in their own preparedness. Understanding these dynamics is important for shaping effective public communication, community engagement and crisis-management policies.

Building resilience through engagement

The seminar highlights lessons for policymakers, researchers and communication professionals working in civil defense, crisis management and urban planning. By comparing cities across the Baltic Sea region, the research points to shared vulnerabilities but also opportunities to strengthen a culture of readiness.

“With the Swedish government expecting citizens to sustain themselves for one week in a crisis, some local studies show that many urban residents are far from ready,” says Professor Martin Carlsson Wall, director of the Center for Security and Resilience. “We are therefore delighted to welcome Dr. Birka, as we hope this seminar helps us focus on how to increase preparedness and strengthen the Swedish total defense.”

Participants will gain insights into how fear, awareness and inaction intersect - and what it may take to build more resilient urban societies in uncertain times.