Urban forests have the potential to be the lungs of the city, a green respite amidst the concrete. But when night falls, they often become lonely and perceived as unsafe. What if, instead of avoiding these spaces after dark, we transformed them into vibrant, active places 24/7? The key is to combine sustainability, good design, and a healthy nightlife to create urban environments that people want to inhabit at all times.
One of the most interesting approaches is Hedonistic Sustainability, an idea that maintains that sustainability doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice, but rather a pleasurable experience. Imagine walking along a path lit by LED lamps that respect nocturnal biodiversity, or stepping on pavement that generates electricity with every step. Parks like Superkilen in Copenhagen or The Lowline in New York have shown that design can be both functional and exciting.
Security also plays a fundamental role, and this is where CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) comes into play, an approach that prevents crime through urban design. It’s not just about installing cameras or more police officers, but about designing intelligently: well-lit paths, high-visibility areas with no hidden corners, and interactive murals that invite the community to take ownership of the space. Examples such as the High Line in New York or Chapultepec Park in Mexico City have successfully integrated these principles.
Now, for a park to truly be alive, it needs more than just infrastructure: it needs activity. Nightlife doesn’t just mean bars and clubs; it can also include night markets, open-air cinema, moonlit yoga sessions, or even astronomical observation events. In places like the Forêt urbaine de la Canopée in Paris, nightlife programming has managed to change the perception of spaces and make them safer simply because more people are using them.
Some cities have taken this concept even further with the figure of a night mayor, tasked with coordinating nightlife in a balanced and harmonious way. Amsterdam is a great example of how this strategy can strengthen urban identity without sacrificing safety.
Images created with AI by Cafeína Design
So, what would the ideal urban forest of the future look like? Surely a place where technology and design invite people to enjoy it both day and night. A space with sustainable lighting, safe paths, and activities for everyone. An environment where nature and the city are not opposites, but complementary. If we design our urban forests with nightlife in mind, we can turn them into places full of energy, culture, and community, no matter the time of day.
Images created with AI by Cafeína Design
