Global Cities After Dark

Tags:

Year:

Networks, Case Studies

2025

PARTNERS:

Município de Braga

Alignment with UN SDGs:

UN SDG
UN SDG
UN SDG

Global Cities After Dark is a global network initiated by Nighttime Foundation and Municipio de Braga to connect, support, and inspire cities worldwide as they navigate nighttime economy development. Managing nighttime economy presents local authorities with shared challenges: ensuring safety and inclusion, balancing residents' well-being with economic and cultural vitality, protecting venues and creative spaces, addressing environmental concerns, including noise and light pollution, and optimising the use of public and green spaces.

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The initiative builds on the success of the European Union's URBACT-funded Cities After Dark network, the first co-funded initiative for integrated nighttime strategies, to expand the concept to an international scale. The global network serves as a hub for pilot projects, collaborative policymaking on nocturnal issues, and advocacy to raise awareness of the night-time economy as a key driver of sustainable urban development.

A series of activities is embedded within the initiative, aiming to improve the way local authorities of different sizes can support the design of nocturnal policies. These activities fall under the categories of Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building, Collaborative Policy Development, Advocacy and Global Cooperation, and Community Engagement. By learning from one another, cities can unlock the full potential of the night-time economy while ensuring safety, sustainability, and quality of life for all urban residents.