The First 6 Months of the Night Mayor and His Commission – Actions and Future Plans
In August 2024, Jacek Jordan took office as Kraków’s first and Poland’s second Night Mayor. At the same time, the Commission for Sustainable Night Economy was established under the Mayor of Kraków. It is composed of representatives of informal residents' groups, NGOs, the tourism industry, business owners, city officials, and municipal units. Acting as an advisory body, the commission presents its proposals to the Mayor in the form of resolutions, with the Night Mayor serving as its chair.
Prioritizing Legislation
The Night Mayor and the Commission quickly identified that improving nighttime public order requires legislative changes at the national level. Current laws governing municipal guards limit their ability to effectively intervene without police assistance, and fines for public order violations fail to serve as an effective deterrent.
As a result, the commission requested that Mayor of Kraków, Aleksander Miszalski, take action to advocate for legislative amendments. The Mayor has already submitted a resolution proposal to the Kraków City Council and forwarded a list of suggested changes to the Ministry of the Interior and Administration.
The Commission’s Activities
Given the wide range of issues raised, the Commission created 3 thematic working groups: “Public safety and order”, “Infrastructure and logistics”, and "Offer to Residents and Tourists”.
These groups develop recommendations within their respective areas, which are then discussed in Commission meetings. The Commission makes decisions through consensus or voting, forwarding them to the Mayor of Kraków.
So far, the Commission has met 6 times, while the working groups have held 18 meetings. The most urgent topics addressed include:
- Pub crawls – guided bar-hopping tours focused on alcohol consumption
- Late-night marketplace operations
- Outdoor dining areas
- Retail alcohol sales at night
To engage in direct negotiations with pub crawl organizers, a dedicated task force was created. Organizers were required to develop and implement measures to minimize the negative impact of their events on residents and the city. Discussions on final obligations regarding public order are still ongoing.
Regarding marketplaces, the Commission proposed new regulations limiting their operating hours to 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM, with exceptions possible upon request from district councils. Concerning outdoor dining areas, the Commission is working on a set of best practices for the hospitality industry, encouraging businesses to take more responsibility for their patrons' behavior, maintain cleanliness, and cooperate with local authorities.
“If we can persuade hospitality business owners to adopt best practices, residents will see visible improvements this year,” says Edyta Kruk, a social representative on the Commission.
“I was skeptical about this initiative at first, but I now see its potential. If we can pass an anti-noise resolution and introduce outdoor dining regulations, residents will finally notice the Commission’s impact and get some relief,” adds Jadwiga Kirschanek from the Stowarzyszenie Dobra Noc Kraków.
So far, the Commission has passed 15 recommendations, which are available in the Public Information Bulletin.
Knowledge Exchange
The Commission for Sustainable Night Economy has become a knowledge-sharing platform among stakeholders. Residents report nighttime urban issues and voice their expectations, while night economy representatives share their perspective. City officials provide legal insights, statistics, and legislative proposals.
“Commission meetings are highly substantive. We rely on data, expert opinions, and solutions successfully implemented in other European cities before making any recommendations,” says Night Mayor Jacek Jordan.
Reports presented to the commission indicate that 93% of Kraków’s visitors are from Poland. Additionally, most public order offenses in the Old Town are committed by Polish citizens, including Kraków residents and people from neighboring municipalities.
As a result, the Night Mayor suggested expanding the target audience of the #RespectKraków campaign to include locals, not just tourists. The commission is also working on improving access to cultural event information to encourage a greater role for culture in Kraków’s nightlife.
Night Mayor’s Activities
Beyond leading the Commission for Sustainable Night Economy, the Night Mayor conducts interventions, patrols the city with municipal guards and police, implements the Sustainable Tourism Policy of Kraków (2021–2028) to enhance the nighttime economy. Additionally, the Night Mayor initiated a task force to improve the management of tourist coach traffic in Kraków, led by Stanisław Mazur, Deputy Mayor of Kraków.
Commission Priorities
Based on an order of the Mayor of Kraków, the Commission focuses on establishing nighttime city management principles and improving relations among residents, business owners, and visitors. The Night Mayor emphasizes education as a starting point, aiming to raise awareness among residents, business owners, and visitors about existing regulations and social coexistence principles.
Where to Follow the Commission’s Work?
Detailed minutes from Commission and working group meetings are available in the Public Information Bulletin and on krakow.pl.
