Why Governments need to plan for a 24-Hour City

This content was authorised by SGS Economics and Planning, a former partner of LGIU.

Australia’s cities don’t stop at sunset, but much of our planning does. While nightlife has long been a marker of a vibrant city, a significant part of the workforce is clocking in well after dark. From logistics and health to transport and retail, the nighttime economy is a vital part of how our cities function. Yet our infrastructure, services, and planning policies still largely cater to the 9-to-5.

This blog explores what the nighttime economy includes, who relies on it, and how better planning can support 24-hour cities across Australia.

What is the Nighttime Economy?

The term “nighttime economy” often conjures images of bars and entertainment precincts. But in reality, it’s much broader. It encompasses all the economic and social activity that takes place between 6 PM and 6 AM, ranging from emergency rooms and freight depots to late-night pharmacies, food, and public transport networks.

According to SGS research, undertaken in collaboration with Anna Edwards from Ingenium Research and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner NSW, around 21% of the NSW workforce is active during nighttime hours, which translates to approximately 872,000 workers. Some of the most active nighttime industries include:

• Accommodation, Food, Arts, and Recreation – 46% of workforce active at night
• Transport, Postal, and Warehousing – 41%
• Healthcare and Social Assistance – 22%
• Retail Trade – 21%
• Manufacturing – 21%.

These figures aren’t unique to NSW. Every Australian city depends on this labour force. Yet planning for their needs often comes as an afterthought. After-hours public transport is limited, essential services are patchy, and safety in public spaces is inconsistent.

Many urban areas simply lack the infrastructure to support the workforce that keeps our cities moving overnight.

Who relies on the Nighttime Economy?

The nighttime economy supports a diverse mix of people. This includes

• Shift workers in hospitals, factories, and warehouses.
• Students working late or attending night classes.
• Travellers arriving on red-eye flights.
• Night owls enjoying restaurants, gigs, or film screenings.

Yet not everyone has equal access to the services they need. Our research found that:

• 30% of nighttime workers have high access to services
• 54% experience average service levels
• 16% face limited or poor access to essentials like transport, food, and healthcare

For those in central Sydney, late-night buses, restaurants, and services are more accessible. But in outer suburbs or regional centres—like Campbelltown, Newcastle, or the Gold Coast—basic amenities often shut down after dark. Workers finishing a shift at 3 AM may struggle to find a meal, let alone a way home.

How better planning can help

Cities around the world are rethinking how they support nighttime life:

• Amsterdam created a dedicated Night Mayor to advocate for night workers and businesses.
• New York City established an Office of Nightlife to coordinate services and planning.
• Bogotá reimagined public space and safety strategies to support late-night travel and leisure.

Australia can learn from these models. Our own analysis shows that Sydney’s nighttime economy clusters in three key precincts:

• CBD: Dominated by finance, tourism, and hospitality.
• Parramatta & Liverpool: Hubs for logistics and healthcare.
• Airport/Port Botany: Centres for transport and freight, operating around the clock.

Each of these areas has distinct needs. In some, transport coordination is the priority. In others, it’s about ensuring access to services or activating public space. We worked with Jayden Perry at SGS Economics and Planning to visualise this concentration of workers for every hour of a typical workday.

Figure: heat map showing Sydney workforce over a 24-hour period

Source: SGS Economics & Planning analysis of Ingenium Research Pty Ltd (2024). Source Australian Time Use Survey, Time Use Survey 2020/21

“Planning for a 24-hour city requires tailored strategies. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.”
— Jayden Perry, SGS Economics & Planning

Towards a truly 24-hour city

If we want cities that work for everyone, we need planning systems that reflect the full range of urban life. That means:

• Extending and improving public transport for shift workers.
• Expanding late-night services in suburban and regional areas.
• Supporting mixed-use precincts that balance business needs with liveability.

We also need strategic plans that integrate these goals into broader city-shaping agendas. Local governments should consider planning for this with dedicated strategies and action plans, like they would for housing, employment or economic development.