The Informal Economy and Street Vendors
Public Space, Eviction and Conflict
Vendors compete with traffic, shops and pedestrians for space, and evictions can destroy livelihoods overnight.
Where a vendor may stand is a daily political issue.
Competing uses
Pavements are used by walkers, vehicles, shops and vendors.
Eviction drives
City authorities sometimes clear vendors, often with little notice, seizing stock.
Bribes
Vendors report paying informal fees to police or officials to stay in place.
Better planning
Designated vending zones, storage and clear rules can reduce conflict.
A cleared street
A drive to widen a road leaves dozens of vendors without a place to sell.
Treating eviction as costless
Livelihoods and neighbourhood services are lost.
Key takeaways
- Vendors and others compete for space.
- Evictions are disruptive.
- Informal payments occur.
- Planning can reduce conflict.
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