In many Urban settings, the participation and placement of informal vending along roadways and pavements is a source of conflict among vendors and those in authority.The same can be said within the urban areas of Trinidad and Tobago. Vendors have had several showdowns with police officers as they requested for them to refrain from selling their products on the roadways. The challenge of informal vending exists in that these vendors are not licensed sellers, and set up to sell their produce rent free in cities in an effort to otherwise earn income. Street vendors in this setting are typically lower class citizens who have resorted to vending after being unable to secure employment in the city. Some of whom may even be present in the city as a result of migration, settling on the outskirts of the central business district.
Street vending also threaten the flow of urban movement as it is associated with congestion and traffic in pedestrian pile ups, to urban planners they may threaten urban development and vending in certain settings may be deemed unsightly and unsanitary. In the city of Port of Spain, especially along the east side of Brian Lara Promenade, where this photo is taken, street vending is very prevalent. It is important to note that street vending is an phenomena associated with urban places all over the world (Weng, 2013).
Governments all over the world have found varying ways to regulate street vending so that they can accommodate the lower class while catering to the standards of urban design and landscape that some planners wish to maintain. In most cities this is done by issuing vending licences, designating vending zones, and regulating the amount of informal vendors that are present on streets and roadways. Urban powerhouses. such as New York City have allowed for the accommodation of vendors by taking the licensing approach, the generic vending stalls are evidence of governmental control as they are specially placed on street corners and near public spaces.
Street Vending adds character and identity to the urban setting. In several international cities street vendors are immigrants and people of colour, who contribute something of their unique backgrounds and cultures with the products that they sell, some cities even have organizations that aid street vendors in becoming licensed and provide further aid and assistance.
While issues with street vending are ever prevalent, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has provided solutions to curb conflicts in the matter. Ironically, across the street from where this photo was taken there is evidence of a government initiative for the demand of street vending placement in the presence of a vending zone.The zone is noticeable by its tent like " flee market" appearance. Another, familiar in nature, exists in Chaguanas after major conflicts with vendors and police official on the streets of the borough.The vending zone was established in place of Chaguanas' old health center, which has been relocated and upgraded.
The video below showcases the vending issue in Chaguanas following a zero tolerance policy to street vending after a permanent facility was provided for vending on December, 2010.
In the short documentary below, the challenges and constraints of street vendors in New York as it applies to the urban landscape.
