Poland The night is worth billions

In the UK, the nighttime economy generates GBP 93.7 bln annually and accounts for 4.1 pct of GDP. In New York, it accounts for over USD 35 bln in economic activity and nearly 300,000 jobs. In Poland, there is no official valuation of nighttime in Warsaw, Kraków, or Wrocław.

For years, city planning was based on the assumption that life ends at dusk. However, the modern nighttime economy encompasses all activities between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. It encompasses not only bars and clubs but the entire spectrum of urban life. From entertainment to holistic 24-hour city management. To effectively manage this time, so-called "night mayors" or special units for night-time management are being established worldwide. London, which appointed its first "Night Czar" in 2016, treats nighttime as a priority area of ​​public policy. Over 12 night-time strategies have been implemented in the British capital, covering over a third of the city's districts.

While bars and restaurants are key meeting places, nightlife is much more than just entertainment. We must remember that the experience of the city after dark differs significantly depending on gender, age, and the type of activity undertaken. That is why night-time governance is so important. It is a process that involves engaging public, private, and social entities in the collaborative management of what happens in the city after dark and in public spaces.
Andreina Seijas, principal at Night Tank

Polish cities are catching up. Krakow's Success

Polish metropolitan areas have only addressed the issue of institutional night-time management in three cases. Implementing appropriate management models can be a challenging process. Warsaw previously established a Night-Time Club Commission, which developed a code of best practices, but its activities were suspended in 2025. Sosnowiec, in turn, hired a coordinator focused on promoting the city's gastronomic and cultural offerings. However, Krakow is the clear leader, implementing a top-down approach based on co-management.

Polish cities need a clear vision and strategy for sustainable night-time development. Analyzing the various management models evident in Warsaw, Krakow, and Sosnowiec, one conclusion emerges: the key to success in Poland is the direct involvement of local authorities.
Piotr Zmyślony, a professor at the Poznań University of Economics

In Kraków, Jacek Jordan assumed the position of Night-Time Mayor in August 2024. A Sustainable Night-Time Economy Commission was also established, comprising over 30 representatives from various sectors.

Our primary goal was to reduce the number of offenses related to disturbing the peace and public drinking. The introduction of night patrols and negotiations with businesses resulted in a 46 percent reduction in these offenses in just one year.
Jacek Jordan, Night-Time Mayor in Kraków

Commercial Real Estate: Safety and Neighbourhood Relations

The evolution of time management in urban spaces forces owners and managers of commercial properties, especially mixed-use ones, to adapt. Representatives of two Warsaw developments – Hala Koszyki and Fabryka Norblina – discussed the challenges involved.

Experts agreed that the night-time economy is a powerful resource that should be included in planning documents, concluding that the success of projects relies on inventorying night-time assets, spatial flexibility, and creating an appropriate management model with a realistic budget.

For the real estate and urban planning industries, the night-time economy has ceased to be a marginal phenomenon and has become a key element in building the value of cities and entire development projects. From the perspective of investors, developers, and local governments, thinking about a city solely in terms of the hours from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. is a mistake. Properly planned and managed night-time infrastructure attracts talent, stimulates local businesses, and increases the profitability of mixed-use developments.
Marcin Juszczyk, chairman of ULI Poland