Conflicts of Liveability in the 24-hour City: Learning from 48 Hours in the Life of London's Soho

The 24-hour city has been put forward as the urbane solution to many of the problems of the central city. As a development from the 24-hour city concept, the expansion of the night-time economy has become a contentious issue in neighbourhoods with established or expanding residential populations. This pilot research project focused on a small area in Soho, London, to examine in depth, over 48 hours, the extent and nature of the problems associated with the night-time economy. The investigation employed video surveillance to observe and record such problems. The study demonstrates that residents' complaints of unacceptable levels of noise, activity and waste can be substantiated. By contrast, detailed police statistics do not support a picture of exceptional crime. The main outcome of this investigation is to suggest that mixed-use, late-night centres are viable but emphasizes that they require more careful regulation and management in order to achieve comfortable liveability. The video recording technique also has the potential to provide objective evidence at licensing hearings.

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