As cities around the world seek new approaches to fostering more vibrant, inclusive and sustainable urban environments, Global Cities After Dark has officially launched as a new international initiative dedicated to advancing collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation in night-time governance.

Bringing together cities, policymakers, researchers and practitioners from across the globe, the initiative aims to strengthen international cooperation in one of the fastest-growing areas of urban policy: the night-time economy. From economic development and cultural vitality to public safety, mobility, social inclusion and environmental sustainability, the platform will support cities in addressing the opportunities and challenges that are increasingly shaping urban life after dark.

The new initiative is co-founded by the City of Braga, through Faz Cultura – Empresa Municipal de Cultura de Braga, and the Nighttime Foundation, based in Amsterdam and widely recognised as the world's leading organisation dedicated to research into public policy and practices relating to the night-time economy. Global Cities After Dark builds on the legacy of the URBACT Cities After Dark network, a pioneering European Union-funded initiative led by the City of Braga (Portugal), which brought together the cities of Málaga (Spain), Tallinn (Estonia), Paris (France), Nicosia (Cyprus), Zadar (Croatia), Varna (Bulgaria), Genoa (Italy), Piraeus (Greece) and Budva (Montenegro) to develop innovative approaches to night-time governance.

'Braga led Cities After Dark, the first URBACT network dedicated to the night-time economy, bringing together ten European cities, from Paris to Tallinn, around an issue that had been overlooked by public policy for far too long. Global Cities After Dark is the natural continuation of that work: a permanent platform, founded in partnership with the Nighttime Foundation, the world's leading organisation in this field, where cities and public officials can share practical experiences and develop effective responses to night-time activities, across areas ranging from the economy and culture to mobility and safety. The night is an integral part of urban life and deserves to be governed with the same rigour as the day. Braga has demonstrated that a medium-sized city can lead this agenda on an international scale, and it is with that ambition that we continue.' - Nuno Gouveia, Executive Director of Faz Cultura

Built on years of international cooperation and practical experience, the initiative creates a permanent space for cities to share knowledge, showcase innovative solutions and develop collaborative responses to common urban challenges. By connecting stakeholders from different regions and sectors, the platform aims to strengthen the role of evidence-based public policy and promote more balanced approaches to managing urban life after dark.

The initiative is supported by an international team of experts and practitioners, including founding members Nuno Gouveia (Executive Director of Faz Cultura), Joana Miranda (General and Executive Coordinator of Braga Media Arts), Lutz Leichsenring (co-founder of VibeLab and former spokesperson and board member of Clubcommission Berlin), Simone d'Antonio (Lead Expert of the URBACT Cities After Dark network), Mirik Milan (night-time economy consultant and former Amsterdam Night Mayor), Dr Anna Marazuela Kim (President of the Nighttime Foundation), Georgia McDonnell Adams (cultural strategist and consultant), and Kae Burke (cultural entrepreneur and co-founder of House of Yes, New York).

The programme’s first activities include a series of monthly international webinars, beginning in September, focusing on some of the most pressing challenges facing cities after dark. Topics will include night-time safety and wellbeing, noise management and relations with local residents, measuring the night-time economy, and understanding the realities of working in the night-time sector. These sessions will provide city representatives with practical knowledge, opportunities for peer learning, and access to the latest international approaches to night-time governance.

Global Cities After Dark is open to municipalities, public authorities, city representatives and professionals working in the fields of the night-time economy, urban development and governance. New members from around the world are invited to join this growing international community and contribute to the exchange of knowledge, experiences and innovative solutions that foster more sustainable, inclusive and dynamic night-time environments.

More information about the initiative is available here.