Mayors of the Night in Cities?

London is a city of night owls: a quarter of Londoners regularly go to bed after midnight. They use their time to run personal errands, shop, socialize, participate in a cultural activity, play sports or attend a community group. London's culture and nightlife are also attracting record numbers of tourists from around the world who love the diversity and vibrancy of our city.”  Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

 “New York's nightlife is the birthplace of some of our most influential cultural movements. A local government must work to preserve a fundamental piece of the city's identity. That is why the Office of Nightlife has been created.”  Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City

Two interesting reports from London and New York highlight the importance of an issue that is rarely considered in cities: What happens at night? How should cities manage nightlife? 

Around the world there is a growing trend to plan the economy, culture, and livability of cities at night.  The following cities already have independent bodies – night czars or night mayors, or night offices within the government – representing the nighttime industries.

EUROPE

Amsterdam (Netherlands): One of the pioneers in creating this position in 2014. Current or well-known mayor: Mirik Milan (one of the first to hold the office).

Paris (France): Implemented the figure in 2017. Current or well-known mayor: Frederic Hocquard.

London (United Kingdom): Has a “Night Czar.” Position held by: Amy Lamé since 2016.

Berlin (Germany): Does not have a specific night mayor, but has a very active night commission.

Zurich (Switzerland): Has a similar model focused on the management of its nightlife.

AMERICA 

New York (USA): Implemented a “Director of Nightlife” in 2018. Mayor of the Night: Ariel Palitz.

Washington D.C. (USA): It has a “Nightlife and Culture Manager.”

Bogota (Colombia): Has a “Night Manager,” an adapted model. Position held by: Felipe Valbuena. 

OTHER CONTINENTS 

Sydney (Australia): Has a “Night-Time Economy Commissioner.”

Tokyo (Japan): Although it is not formally called “night mayor,” there is active management of its nightlife.

Issues to Consider in Night-Time Management

- The number of people at night.

- The sectors in which they work (healthcare, professional services, and in culture and leisure, basically).

- The wage differential for night jobs.

- Recreational activity at night.

- Perception of safety.

- The activity of residents and that of tourists.

- Motivation for nighttime activities (shows, culture, heritage, socializing, sports).

- Value for money, and inclusiveness.

- Public and private transport.

- The demand for nightlife activities, which is predicted to increase over the next 20 years.

Cities are diverse and dynamic even at night. Workers in offices, hospitals, warehouses, and stores keep cities running 24 hours a day. Residents and visitors delight in the city's food, culture, and public spaces at night. And millions of people are busy with household shopping, attending classes and community groups, and socializing late into the night.

Cities have no single rhythm. People work, rest, and play at all hours. While some go to sleep, others start work. While those leaving a shift look for a place to eat, others go to the movies, a museum, or a nightclub. Changing lifestyles mean that the economy and infrastructure of cities need to function around the clock, and diversify.

The “night mayors” or “night czars” are figures in charge of managing and promoting the nightlife of a city in a balanced way, seeking to harmonize nighttime activities with the rest of the neighbors and economic development. As this model has been implemented in several cities around the world, the visions of different mayors are significant to better understand their role and vision to improve urban nightlife.

Mirik Milan, former nightlife mayor of Amsterdam and pioneer of the role, has pointed out that nightlife management must integrate safe infrastructure, flexible regulations, and public-private sector collaboration to generate sustainable nightlife economies. He stresses that “nightlife is not just about leisure, it encompasses transport, health, and logistics,” highlighting its role in social inclusion and urban safety.

Amy Lamé, mayor of London's nightlife, has emphasized the importance of giving small nightlife businesses a voice in government decisions and ensuring that the nightlife economy is resilient, especially in the wake of the pandemic. He notes that changes in licensing regulation and support for historic venues are essential for nightlife cultural diversity.

In Washington, Shawn Townsend, former director of the Office of Culture and Nightlife, expressed satisfaction at leaving office with a recovering nightlife economy. He noted that “nightlife can come back stronger and better than ever,” after overcoming challenges of pandemic closures and restrictions on entertainment venues.

There is a growing trend toward the figure of “night mayors” in many cities around the world, and this responds to various social, economic and cultural factors.

The role of the night mayor is emerging as a strategic solution to sustainably and equitably manage nightlife in cities, balancing economic development with the well-being of citizens. 

So, the trend is clear and so is the need:  a city cannot be managed 12 hours a day. Another great topic for non-technological city intelligence.