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Cities After Dark - #1 Quarterly Journal

Unlocking the Night: Exploring Models of Night-Time Governance

Unlocking the Night: Exploring Models of Night-Time Governance

In the bustling streets of major cities, where neon lights turn on and nightlife thrives, a new form of governance is emerging: one that recognizes the crucial role played by the night-time economy and seeks to manage it collaboratively and effectively. From London to Berlin, Vienna to Mannheim, the discourse on the governance of the night-time economy has gained momentum over the past decades, propelled by the rise of night mayors, night offices, and night commissions.

The inaugural online thematic seminar of Cities After Dark, held on 22 February 2024, delved into the diverse models of night-time governance implemented by major European cities. Through a lens focused on collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, the online seminar shed light on the evolution of local debates surrounding the night-time economy and the challenges faced by cities in regulating and coordinating their nocturnal activities. The practices and solutions explored during the online seminar offered useful elements to the partners of Cities After Dark, which are kicking off the integrated planning process while reflecting on how to consolidate innovative forms of governance along the process. 
 

Cities After Dark: Baseline Study

Cities After Dark: exploring night-time urban dynamics

Cities After Dark: exploring night-time urban dynamics

Cities are designed to work well during the day, but what happens when night falls? Several activities happen between 6 pm and 6 am, including dining, entertainment, culture and retail but also services such as public transport, healthcare, environmental care, social services, and logistics.

Many cities globally have a significant number of people working at night. For example, New York City has 300,000 jobs supported by night-time economy, while in London it contributes to 1 in every 8 jobs. However, this isn’t just a concern for major cities. Cities of different sizes are investing on an inclusive and multifaceted night-time economy, which contributes to improve city attractiveness and quality of life and fosters new forms of economic and social development.