A Vision for the Future of a Creative City.
Malmö Nightlife Study
Client:
Malmö Stad
Services:
Consultancy, Research, Advocacy
Links:
Year:
2023 - 2024
Partners:
Transversal Project (SE), Malmö Stad
The Malmö Nightlife Study report is a pioneering new step by the city to conduct research into Malmö’s nightlife and creative and cultural industries.
Research was conducted by VibeLab in close collaboration with many of Malmö’s established and emerging nightlife actors alike.
The report explores the key findings related to the value, challenges, and future aspirations of nightlife in the city:
The value of Malmö’s nightlife encompasses social, cultural, artistic, and economic dimensions. Research participants demonstrated clear pride in their city, its diversity, and how its working-class origins contribute to its uniquely grassroots and creative nightlife.
Our research identified that all these essential elements that make Malmö’s nightlife so unique are under acute threat. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Malmö’s nightlife actors to live, work and create in the city.
Through our research we found three important themes relevant to nightlife in Malmö today:
-Space
-Funding
-Capacity Building
Safe, accessible, and affordable nightlife venues are crucial for fostering creativity within the industry. However, limited knowledge of funding opportunities disproportionately affects younger participants. Collaboration between the nightlife sector and the city, focusing on skills sharing and capacity building, has significant potential. This includes shifting focus from penalizing illegal parties to working together with nightlife producers.
The report comes at a critical juncture. As Malmö plans for its future, it must not forget its nightlife. This venture should rely on data-driven actions and direct and inspired collaborations between the city and its creative and nightlife ecosystem.
The report explores the many facets of Malmö’s night culture and its creative economy. Night culture refers to the social and creative experience after dark, generated by creatives, nighttime workers, nightlife goers and other stakeholders.
Using a combination of qualitative research methods, the report yields an informed understanding of Malmö’s nightlife landscape, its challenges and aspirations. Our work included secondary research including background research of Malmö, in-person focus groups, analysis, and paper development.
The in-person focus group, involved 16 participants from various sectors of Malmö's nightlife and creative ecosystem, along with city officials. Its aim was to gather community-driven insights into Malmö's nightlife, identifying current successes and future opportunities.
“I hope that this study serves as an inspiring first step in sparking conversations on how nightlife can promote Malmö’s continued growth while creating a safer and more sustainable city”
— Harald Stjerna, project manager for the City of Malmö
