With the zeal and initiative, Maharashtra’s young minister Aditya Thackeray has realised his dream of Mumbai offering space for 24×7 night life.
Predictably, some are happy and excited over Mumbai shops, malls, and eateries in non-residential areas given the option to remain open 24×7; some are sceptical and some fear the impact on safety and noise. Conservatives naturally oppose it – they fear drunken brawls, sex-workers, drug addicts, gang wars and crime on the rise at the cosmopolitan maximum city.
Night-time economy
The night-time economy is bifurcated: the evening economy between 6 pm and 12 midnight and the late-night economy between 12 midnight and 6 am. Most cities the world-over prefer to call themselves 18-hour cities, with most businesses and establishments shutting shop by midnight.
However, time and tide wait for none and most cities function round-the-clock, informally or formally. Administrations often take a reactive approach towards night-time economy imposing restrictions, licence requirements…
Some cities, including New York, Amsterdam, Melbourne, and Berlin, allow businesses to run round-the-clock, offering wide-ranging activities and delights ranging from gastronomic experiences, music, nocturnal walks, cycling tours, theatres, night-time gyms, and sports, gambling… These fuel tourism and culture, helping create jobs and offer a myriad different-choices to people.
Melbourne is the world’s second-most liveable city despite having a thriving night economy. The secret to its success is a carefully crafted citizen – friendly policy. The policy mandates noise attenuation measures for every residential project near a live music venue. Sound-proofing residential spaces, instead of concert venues, also helped.
As per a UN report, by 2050 over 69 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities. While cities strive to grow in space to provide for this burgeoning population, the night-time economy offers cities a chance to expand in time and the opportunity for making a decent living to many, supporting social inclusion, revival of neglected or deteriorated spaces and efficient use of available real estate.
Possibilities and Challenges
The night-time economy offers a million possibilities, including rotational team holidays – offering a solution for an integrated work-life and provides opportunities for food delivery, transportation, hotels, artists… boosting tourism and culture. However, the fear of rising crime rates and concerns of safety cannot be ignored.
Economic, social and cultural gains from a night-time economy cannot offset safety deficits and the need for quietitude for residents. Further, concerns of environmentally and economically sustainable urban development aren’t rot either. Night-time economies come with their own set of different challenges and require efficient management of energy systems, infrastructure, public health and safety and reputations as well.
Sound Planning and Strategy
Administrations the-world-over have realised the above and tried to address these. London, with the world’s leading night-time economy which employs over 1.6 million and earns revenues in billions, has established a Night Time Commission and a Night Czar.
While India strives to seek and attain its due globally, a night-time economy wouldn’t be so bad an idea now. However, a night-time administration to oversee the unique set of challenges would go a long way to ensure the transformation of public spaces into safe and quality
Places for people across ages. Regulations relating to signage, sound-proofing and restrictions on alcohol/smoking in public shall be game-changers. Further, administrators will require to address issues in cleanliness, mobility and lighting, surveillance cameras and pedestrian infrastructure, keeping in mind the environment’s needs and efficient use of natural resources such as air and water.
