Jul 21 • Jo Cox-Brown

What does a 24/7 City Really Mean? Designing for 5am

What is a 24-hour city?

We often hear the phrase “24-hour city” used as a sign of progress. It conjures images of thriving economies, creative scenes, and endless options for work and play. But when we take a closer look beyond the buzzword, it’s worth asking, what does a 24/7 city actually mean in practice?

Is it just about late-night bars and transport, or should it go deeper? Should it reflect something more inclusive, supportive, and intentional?

For many people, being out at 5 am isn’t a lifestyle choice. It’s part of their daily routine. Cleaners finishing their shift, nurses heading home, delivery drivers on deadlines, security staff locking up, and bartenders cashing out. And for others, it’s a time of vulnerability. People between spaces, those without shelter, or someone who stayed out longer than expected and is now trying to get home.

If we’re serious about creating truly 24/7 cities, we need to consider what the city offers in those quieter hours. Not just for the economy, but for the people who keep the night going.

What should cities be thinking about? 

If you are thinking of designing a 24-hour city, here are my thoughts on what cities should be thinking about, and where in the world it’s already happening.

1. Food That Nourishes, Not Just Soaks Up Alcohol: Late-night food options are often limited to fast food and takeaways. However, people who need to be out at 5 am require more than that. They need affordable, healthy, sit-down options that feel human and comforting at the end of, or the start of, a long shift.

Examples: 
  • In Melbourne, the 24/7 Greek diner Stalactites serves hot, high-quality food to everyone, from night workers to partygoers.
  • In Seoul, late-night dining is a cultural norm, with entire neighbourhoods open and serving well into the morning.
  • New York’s Midnight Market blends food, music, and culture, offering people a way to eat well and stay connected without alcohol being the focus.

What cities could do:
  • Incentivise late-night restaurants offering nutritious and culturally diverse menus
  • Support non-alcohol-led venues with flexible licensing
  • Partner with community kitchens or local businesses to provide affordable food for night workers

2. Safe, Comfortable Places to Pause: Between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., people often find themselves with nowhere to go. Whether waiting for a train, finishing work, recovering from a difficult experience, or just needing a break, a safe, well-lit, welcoming place makes a huge difference.

Examples:
  • Amsterdam piloted Rest Zones, which feature seating, phone charging, and shelter, staffed by trained professionals.
  • The Bath Safe Bus operates on Friday and Saturday nights, providing first aid, water, emotional support, and signposting in the city centre. It’s staffed by trained volunteers and supported by St John Ambulance, Bath BID, and local partners.
  • In Berlin and Lisbon, cultural hubs are opening their doors into the early hours to act as informal safe spaces for those who need them.

Ideas to explore:
  • 24-hour waiting areas in transport hubs
  • City-centre safe zones and mobile welfare services
  • Staffed, low-stimulation environments where people can sit, rest, or ask for help

What else?

4. Transport That Reflects Real-Life Rhythms: If people can’t get home, they’re either going to leave early or stay out too long and end up vulnerable. A functioning 24/7 city needs transport that is safe, affordable, and genuinely useful at night.

Examples:
  • Berlin and New York operate true 24/7 metro services with regular frequencies.
  • London’s Night Tube and extensive night bus network support workers and social travellers across the city.
  • Stockholm has invested in smart street lighting to make night-time walking routes safer and more appealing.

What to prioritise:
  • Transport routes that meet the needs of night-time workers and low-income residents
  • Affordable night fares and safety features like staffing, CCTV, and clear signage
  • Better integration of transport types, including bikes, taxis, ride-shares, and buses

5. Supporting the People Who Keep the City Going: The night-time economy doesn’t run without people. Cleaners, drivers, bar staff, delivery teams, and security officers keep everything moving, but their needs are often overlooked in city planning.

Examples:
  • Sydney’s 24-Hour Economy Strategy places a strong emphasis on the wellbeing, training, and policy input of night workers.
  • In Paris, hospitality workers benefit from early-morning breakfast stalls that offer free coffee and croissants after a shift.
  • Manchester is piloting mental health support for security and hospitality workers in partnership with trade unions and local services.

What cities can do:
  • Provide quiet spaces for rest, food, and wellbeing after a shift
  • Involve night workers in policy development and consultation
  • Recognise and celebrate the value of those working through the night

6. Essential Services That Don’t Clock Off: Toilets, water, healthcare, and assistance should not be limited to daytime hours. A city that claims to be 24/7 should offer dignity and safety at all hours.

Examples:
  • Vienna operates 24-hour, staffed public toilets in key nightlife areas.
  • Barcelona has piloted mobile clinics to provide basic healthcare, harm reduction services, and first aid.
  • Lisbon’s mobile outreach teams provide welfare and support to vulnerable individuals well into the night.

What’s needed:
  • 24-hour access to clean toilets, safe drinking water, and charging stations
  • Night-time outreach and welfare teams with clear visibility and training
  • Integration between emergency services, outreach teams, and the night-time economy
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Why 5am matters

The 5 am test reveals everything. 5 am tests a city’s commitment to care and inclusion. It shows whether a city is truly people-focused, or just profit-driven. It’s the moment where the gaps are most visible and where thoughtful design can make the biggest impact. It’s not the energy of midnight that defines us, but the support we offer when the lights are dimming, and the streets are quieter.

Who is still working? Who is still walking? Who is still waiting? Who is still unseen or unsupported?

Designing for 5 am means designing for care, connection, and continuity. It means recognising the full range of human experience across the night and early morning, and building cities that are responsive to all of it. Designing for 5 am is a choice to build cities that don’t just serve consumption, but cultivate care, connection, and compassion. That’s the essence of truly thriving 24/7 city life.