The cases of Berlin, London, Vienna and Mannheim
The online seminar presented a diverse set of case studies and solutions, which represent the variety of the strategies that local authorities implemented across Europe to govern night-time economy in collaboration with cultural and business actors, night activists and groups of interest.
Berlin - ClubCommission: Nurturing Night Culture
Berlin, renowned for its vibrant club scene, stands as a beacon in the realm of night-time governance with its ClubCommission. Established in 2001, the ClubCommission serves as the point of reference of Berlin's club culture, with around 350 operators among its members. Through networking, education, research, and advocacy, the ClubCommission fosters the preservation and recognition of the city's unique nightlife.
Supported by funding from various Berlin’s governmental departments and city districts, the ClubCommission organizes initiatives ranging from support to clubs’ soundproofing to awareness raising on mental health of night workers. Its organizational structure, characterized by extended and executive boards, ensures comprehensive engagement with thematic steering groups, supported by an office team dedicated to priority areas such as diversity and sound protection.
London - Night Czar and 24-Hour London Team: Embracing the 24-Hour City
In London, the governance of the night-time economy transcends simple considerations on the economic impact of the activities running between 6pm and 6am to embrace the concept of a 24-hour city. Spearheaded by the Night Czar and the 24-Hour London Team, London's night-time governance focuses on holistic planning and policy-making, involving diverse sectors and communities.
From enhancing safety to promoting innovation and inclusivity, London's approach revolves around understanding and addressing the multifaceted dynamics of nocturnal life. Thematic forums, such as the LGBTQ Forum, and regular initiatives for engaging a diverse range of local stakeholders active at night underscore the collaborative nature of London's night-time governance, driving positive change across the urban landscape and providing useful inspiration to other UK cities.
Vienna - Club Commission: Nurturing Culture and Economy
In Vienna, the Club Commission serves as a catalyst for nurturing the city's night-time economy while prioritizing social and cultural aspects. Through consultation, networking, and communication, the Commission engages with diverse stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities of Vienna's nocturnal landscape.
A series of thematic Focus Groups, spanning social, cultural, and economic fields, drive initiatives ranging from promoting club culture in public spaces to fostering a greener night-time economy. Supported by volunteers and by an annual budget of 300,000€ sourced from various business sectors, the Vienna Club Commission is creating a tangible impact while fostering collaborative governance through grassroots engagement.
Mannheim - Night Mayor: Supporting Night Culture
Mannheim is the cultural hub in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, and embraced the concept of the Night Mayor to enrich its nocturnal fabric. Championed by regional associations and urban development departments, the Night Mayor position tested an innovative approach to nurturing night culture.
Despite budget constraints (a budget between 5,000 and 10,000 € are allocated yerluy for night-time governance activities), Mannheim's Night Mayor mediate among the needs of different actors of the sector and promotes local initiatives, leveraging strong political support and media visibility to activate the city's night scene. Collaboration with stakeholders and effective management of night policies highlight the transformative potential of the Night Mayor model in revitalizing urban nightlife, while networking with other night mayors active in other German cities.
Lessons Learned and Inspiring Elements for Cities After Dark
The experiences showcased in the thematic seminar offer interesting insights and lessons for cities which are working on the governance of their night-time economies. From collecting and using data and fostering collaboration among different actors active at night to addressing resource constraints and bureaucratic hurdles, the partners of Cities After Dark are taking inspiration from innovative models pioneered by some of the most vibrant cities in Europe.
As Cities After Dark continues its journey of exploration of international solutions and collaboration among cities and with local stakeholders, the need for robust data collection, expanded funding schemes, and enhanced stakeholder engagement emerges as key priorities. By harnessing the power of collaboration and innovation, cities can unlock the full potential of their night-time economies, transforming nocturnal landscapes into vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban spaces.
The Marketplace of Solutions highlighted some of the most replicable solutions to be included in the IAPs and some potential barriers to their implementation. While practices such as the soundproofing fund managed by Berlin’s ClubCommission and the communication campaigns for awareness raising launched by Vienna’s Club Commission are widely recognized by the partners of Cities After Dark as interesting solutions that could be incorporated into their IAPs, a series of barriers to the implementation of integrated forms of nocturnal governance were highlighted. Among these, the lack of trained staff within local authorities and the slowness of the decision-making process appear as elements on which cities should intervene for defining long-term structures of night governance.
The solutions showcased in the online seminar were applied at urban and metropolitan scales, showing how cities can navigate the complexity of nocturnal challenges with a focus on social, environmental and economic dimension of sustainability. In the case of the partners of Cities After Dark, the online thematic seminar paved the ground for a wider reflection on bold actions needed for reinforcing a shared vision on the future of night-time economy, in line with the elements to be highlighted by the transnational meeting of Paris and the study visit to Berlin.
Simone d’Antonio
Lead Expert Cities After Dark
