Listen to the episode:

Find the shownotes through this link.

---

Are you interested in the 24-hour city?

---

Our summary today works with the policy paper titled 24-hour cities network: Policy and strategy recommendations from 2023 by Andreina Seijas. This is a great preparation for our next interviewee, Alby Bocanegra in episode 184 talking the 24-hour city and its advantages. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see whether we are missing out without a night-time city. This article emphasizes the significance of nighttime economy and governance in contemporary urban planning, offering practical recommendations for cities to thrive 24/7.

[intro music]

---

Welcome to today’s What is The Future For Cities podcast and its Research episode; my name is Fanni, and today I will introduce a research paper by summarising it. The episode really is just a short summary of the original paper, and, in case it is interesting enough, I would encourage everyone to check out the whole paper. Stay tuned until because I will give you the 3 most important things and some questions which would be interesting to discuss.

---

[music]

Traditionally, the night was viewed negatively, often associated with crime and the need for strict regulation. However, this perspective has shifted in modern times, as cities now recognize the night as a vibrant time when urban economies continue to thrive, cultural activities flourish, and city services remain operational. This change is evidenced by the appointment of “night mayors” in over 40 cities worldwide, including Amsterdam and Berlin, who focus on maintaining nocturnal vibrancy and mediating the diverse needs of those who work, party, or sleep during the night.

The COVID-19 pandemic further heightened the importance of the nighttime economy, particularly in sectors like culture, nightlife, and hospitality. These sectors, heavily impacted by the pandemic, brought to light the essential role of the night in urban life. Cities like London, Paris, and New York, along with others, integrated the concept of the night more prominently into their urban agendas, reflecting a global shift in recognizing and valuing the unique dynamics of city life after dark.

Nighttime governance in urban settings has evolved to encompass a collaborative effort between public and private sectors, focusing on the effective management of cities during night hours. This approach includes innovative strategies like Amsterdam’s 24-hour permits for nightlife venues outside residential cores and staggered closing times to manage crowds. More than 40 cities worldwide have appointed “night mayors” to oversee nightlife, facilitating its integration into diverse urban environments. This role challenges the traditional view of the night as merely a time for partying, recognizing its broader economic significance and the need for strategic governance.

Nighttime safety in cities is a multi-dimensional concept that necessitates collaboration among residents, businesses, and government to create safe and vibrant nocturnal environments. This concept recognizes the unique interactions and experiences of urban dwellers at night and emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive policies, as exemplified by Mexico’s Urban Development Secretariat’s guide addressing women’s safety concerns. The role of data in shaping perceptions and strategies for nighttime safety is critical, as is the provision of round-the-clock and affordable transportation. Initiatives like London’s Ask for Angela program and Paris’s SHINE project, along with policies to support nighttime workers, highlight the growing focus on creating inclusive and secure urban nightspaces.

Nighttime mobility in cities addresses the challenge of providing round-the-clock and affordable transportation services, crucial not only for those enjoying nightlife but also for night-shift workers. While cities vary in their transportation offerings, a common issue is the scarcity of nighttime routes, often less frequent and focused on central business districts. To combat this, many cities have embraced innovative solutions like expanding late-night public transit and collaborating with private shuttles and transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. These efforts aim to enhance mobility options, particularly in large metropolitan areas, ensuring safe and accessible transportation for all night-time city dwellers and workers.

Nighttime economic development encompasses a wide range of activities beyond leisure and hospitality, including bars, clubs, music venues, and essential services like cleaning, transportation, health, and caregiving. This broader 24-hour economy facilitates the city’s functionality throughout the day and night. Emphasizing sustainability, initiatives like rideshare hubs in nightlife districts and understanding the carbon footprint of nightlife establishments are key. Accurately measuring a city’s nighttime economy, which extends to its creative and support sectors, is essential for grasping its full impact and contributions. This approach also considers the continuous nature of challenges like climate change, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions in nighttime economic planning.

The recommendations for cities looking to develop a nighttime strategy emphasize the need for a tailored governance model that aligns with each city’s unique history and regulatory tradition. Nighttime planning is identified as an iterative process involving multiple levels of government, ranging from local neighbourhood associations and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to broader city-wide, state, and national entities. This process requires balancing various regulations and policies, including zoning ordinances, curfews, and liquor license distribution, to create a governance model that effectively represents and addresses the diverse needs and characteristics of the city’s nocturnal landscape.

In the realm of urban development, the focus on managing cities during nighttime hours marks a significant shift towards recognizing the night as a vibrant and integral part of city life. This approach encompasses various aspects such as governance, safety, mobility, and economic development, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of nighttime in urban environments. Innovative governance models, strategies for ensuring safety and inclusivity, enhancing mobility, and promoting economic activities after dark are key themes. The document underscores the importance of a vibrant nighttime economy for the overall growth and sustainability of cities, advocating for a comprehensive and nuanced approach to urban planning in an era where cities operate around the clock.

[music]

---

What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Do you have any follow up question? Let me know on Twitter at WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the transcripts and show notes are available! Additionally, I will highly appreciate if you consider subscribing to the podcast or on the website. I hope this was an interesting paper for you as well, and thanks for tuning in!

---

[music]

Finally, as the most important things, I would like to highlight 3 aspects:

1. The transformation of nighttime perception in cities, from being associated with crime to a vibrant time for economic and cultural activities, is a fundamental shift in urban planning.
2. The appointment of “night mayors” in over 60 cities worldwide highlights a proactive approach to governing and enhancing urban life during night hours, focusing on inclusivity and vibrancy.
3. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the significance of the nighttime economy, particularly in culture, nightlife, and hospitality, revealing its vital role in the overall urban ecosystem.

Additionally, it would be great to talk about the following questions:

1. What are the potential challenges and opportunities in balancing the vibrant nightlife with the residential needs of a city’s inhabitants?
2. In what ways has the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our understanding and appreciation of the nighttime economy in cities?
3. What innovative strategies could cities implement to enhance safety and inclusivity in their nocturnal environments?
4. Do you live in a 24-hour city? Would you like to? Why?

[outro music]

---