The Sociable CityJim Peters

Responsible Hospitality InstituteMay 21, 2014

Edmonton, Alberta

The Sociable City

A community’s opportunity for socializing is among the most influential factors in determining where people

choose to live.Reported by the 2010 Knight Foundation’s

Soul of the Community Project

What Makes a City Sociable?

The Most Sociable City?

Vibrant – Safe - Planned

Sociable City Vision• People on the street• Walkable• Able to eat/drink outside• Mix of ages and cultures• Variety of things to do• Spontaneous, informal activities• Open at different times• Variety of price points Lively street activity can contribute to the

overall vibrancy of a downtown and promote safety

City Cycles of Sociability

People

Vibrancy

Safety

A mixed-use area with a high concentration of dining and entertainment businesses, as well as public space activities such as festivals, events and markets to facilitate inter-generational and inter-cultural socializing

The social experience is the common underlying attraction that draws people to a hospitality zone.

Hospitality Zones

Hospitality Venue Types and Risk

DiningSharing of Food Primary Activity

and Purpose of Venue

SocialMeeting and Socializing with Beverages and Limited Food

Games and Sports TV

EntertainmentMusic, Dance, Performance

Primary Purpose

EventShort Term Periodic Activity Creating

Crowd/Occupancy

District Life Cycles• Hospitality leads development • Crucial to revitalization• The process evolves in four stages:

– (Re) Emerging– Developing – Maturing – Declining

• Each Stage Requires Special Focus– Permits and Licenses– Support Services– Community Input– Policing and Compliance

Driving Forces

• Mixed Use Development• Downtown Stadiums• Performing Arts Center• Arena• College – University• Transportation Hubs

The Sociable City Plan

Plan forPeople

Enhance Vibrancy

Assure Safety

Alliance – Dedicated Staff

Demographic Trends

Baby Boomers and Millennials shaping society and economy

Gen X’s Urban Tribes defined work place and urban life

Change in Population

Going Out by Age

Three Times a Week

52

35

15

48

24

11

0102030405060

18 23 30

Age

Perc

ent

MenWomen

University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR)

Preferences at Different Life Stages

Singles Mingles Families Jingles

Singles - Profile

• Who: 18+ year olds; Socialize in groups

• Goal: See & be seen; find a partner

• Venue: Open space, little seating, lower price points, loud music

• Activity: Drinking, dancing, games, beauty services

• When: 10pm-3am

Mingles - Profile

• Who: Young professionals, couples, groups of friends

• Goal: Advance social relationships

• Venue: Comfy seating, ability to chat, mid to high price points

• Activity: Happy hour, dining, sports, hobbies

• When: 5-8pm & 8pm-12am

Families - Profile

• Who: Broad definitions of “family”• Goal: Feed/entertain yet with

time/money constraints• Venue: Lower price points, big

tables, wide aisles, to go-options, beer/wine or no alcohol

• Activity: Engage and occupy minds, hands and mouths; age appropriate

• When: 4-8pm; Daytime-weekends

Jingles - Profile

• Who: Seniors, retirees, empty nesters, business travelers

• Goal: Conduct business; enjoy retirement

• Venue: Quiet place w/ room to work; coffee houses; mid-high price points

• Activity: Entertain clients; engage in hobbies; Drink less, but splurge on top shelf

• When: Flexible or alternative schedule due to age or time zone

Rating Your City

Singles Mingles Families Jingles

What do Men Want from Nightlife?

• Women • Beer• Sports• More Beer

Nighttime Economic Impact of Women• Industries that benefit from women:

– Beauty salons, nail salons, retail stores, dining, taxis, parking, hotels

• NY Nightlife 2004 Impact Study:– 86% out-of-towners spent avg of

$352 on shopping, hotels, restaurants and $110 on transport

– 48% attendees bought special wardrobe and accessories to go out

– Approx $693 million spent on wardrobe, personal care, and accessories in NYC stores, specifically to go out at night.

Women influence 80% of all purchasing decisions

Three Must-Haves for Women

1. Choice2. Design3. Safety

What do Women Want From Nightlife?

• Clean, equipped restrooms • Safe and well-lit parking• Identifiable venue staff• Comfortable seating• Dance floor• Places to talk with music at a

reasonable volume• Drink menu• Light food or small plates• Opportunity to shop at night• Late night dessert • Comfortable temperature

Nightlife Trends and Issues• Neighborhoods serving different

demographic groups• Concentration of hospitality and

nightlife venues • District cycles – nightlife moving

from district to district• Dwindling city resources • Economic impacts on patron

spending and behavior• Magnet for crime and gang activity• Closing time crowds

The Sociable City Plan Process

Vision• Transformation Team• Assess Status• Define Ideal

Plan• Policy• Practices• Promote

Manage• Guiding Principles • Match Resources• Monitor

A Dream Without a Plan is a Wish

Sociable City Vision• People on the street• Walkable• Able to eat/drink outside• Mix of ages and cultures• Variety of things to do• Spontaneous, informal activities• Open at different times• Variety of price points Lively street activity can contribute to the

overall vibrancy of a downtown and promote safety

The Sociable City Plan

Plan forPeople

Enhance Vibrancy

Assure Safety

City Cycles of Sociability

People

Vibrancy

Safety

Plan for PeopleMobility Management Availability Matches Demand Parking Usage and Safety Pedestrian and Road Safety

Peaceful Co-existence in Mixed-Use Areas Balance Vibrancy & Quality of Life Accountability & Communication Efficient Waste Management Impact Reduction Effective Management of Sound Impacts

Social Occupancy

One Bookstore • Occupancy = 10• Staff = 2Ten Bookstores• Occupancy = 100• Staff = 20

Social Occupancy

One Restaurant• Occupancy = 150• Staff = 10Ten Restaurants• Occupancy = 1500• Staff = 100

Social Occupancy

One Late-night Venue• Occupancy = 300• Staff = 20Ten Late-night Venues• Occupancy = 3000• Staff = 200

City Cycles of Sociability

People

Vibrancy

Safety

Enhancing VibrancyPrivate Space Invest in Talent Development Develop and Incubate Entertainment Establish a Marketing Campaign Evaluate Economic Impact

Public Space Ample Sidewalk Capacity Create a Continuum of Experiences Enhance Outdoor Seating Introduce Business Incubators Address Panhandling, Predators, Passage

Cycles of Sociability

People

Vibrancy

Safety

Assuring Safety

Venue Safety Evaluate – Assess Risks Convert Risk to an Operational Plan Engage and Educate Staff Monitor Activity and Respond Open Communication

Public Safety Establish a Foundation for Safety Collaborate to Monitor and Assist Police Staffing for the Nighttime Economy Achieve Compliance with Partners Prevent and Respond to Crime, Disorder and

Incivility