Nightlife and the 15-Minute City

How does the 15-minute city concept apply to the nighttime economy? That’s the question that an article in Cooperative City attempts to answer. According to the article, “While this concept offers solutions to several challenges such as improving quality of life, reducing social isolation, and addressing traffic and pollution, the global discussion around the 15-minute city didn’t take fully into account the nocturnal dimension of the cities.”

In many cities, transit stops running too early; nighttime lighting does not always exist; and daily needs are unavailable within a 15-minute trip after certain hours. “Increasing the quality and quantity of services and activities available after dark closer to the places where people live is a crucial aspect of urban planning.”

In Barcelona, Spain, the city is moving to provide more mobility options after 10 pm to ensure that people don’t always have to leave their own neighborhoods to access nightlife activities. “In Melbourne, the extension of the Yarra Trams—the world’s largest tram network—to operate during nocturnal hours with the Night Network, made permanent in 2017, and the Free Tram Zone in the city centre had a considerable impact in making the night-time economy more vibrant and accessible.”

Including the nighttime economy in the planning of 15-minute city strategies can also provide crucial transportation services and amenities for those workers who perform nighttime jobs. “Making the night-time economy more accessible is not just a matter of urban design, but also requires continuous adaptation of licensing and safety regulations. A stronger focus on informal spaces can contribute to making cities more liveable at night and improving access to parks and public spaces for activities that engage local youth, families, and elderly persons.”