Street Vending is one of the most visible forms of local urban economic activity found around the world and significantly contributes to the micro economy of the cities. Street vendors in India, estimated at 10 million, constitute roughly 11% of the urban workers and provide both goods and services making them an inevitable part of the life of its cities. The vending economy has a turnover of around Rs 80 crore a day, and every street entrepreneur or trader supports an average of three others as employees, partners or workers (D’Cruz 2021).

Vending plays a primary role in the economy of several countries in Latin America, South Asia and Southeast Asia and contributes heavily due to the vibrant street culture that exists in these parts of the world. It is essential to safeguard the culture of vending and make it a safe space for vendors and make urbanisation a more inclusive project. As vending requires low investment, it is accessible and involves self-employment for the urban poor. It provides all sorts of goods from perishable items like fruits and vegetables, food items to furniture, clothes, jewellery and services like repair services, etc. With the passing of the Street Vending Act in 2014, street vending activity is in the process of formalisation and the implementation is in operation in several states in India. It made local authorities recognise vending zones and create attractive vending structures to make the business easier and hassle-free for the vendors.

As part of the work that CPPR did on the street vending sector in Kerala, we assisted Kochi Municipal Corporation and Alappuzha Municipality.

CPPR assisted Alappuzha Municipality to prepare a street vending plan by identifying existing and potential vending areas in the city and in drafting the bye-laws of street vending.