Transformaciones sociales y urbanas del entorno de los Mercados del Centro Histórico de Cuenca. Mercado 9 de Octubre y Mercado 10 de Agosto

Street markets are public facilities that link commercial activities and cultural exchange, which interact with the urban fabric that they are a part of. Their historical and symbolic values ​​make them vulnerable to transformations that rethink the urban structure, as happens in the immediate surroundings of the “9 de Octubre” and “10 de Agosto” street markets, located in the historic hub of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, where processes of gentrification, touristification, and commercial gentrification have taken place. In this context, the proposal here is to analyze the urban and social transformations of the last 50 years, using a mixed methodology with an exploratory approach, through observation, surveys, and interviews. In both case studies, the results showed that with the operation of these street markets, commercial activity increased in the respective areas which, together with other associated issues (insecurity, unhealthy conditions, informal trade), are the main triggers for the incremental displacement of the population.

The functionality of informal trade in the creation of political power

This article delves into the analysis of informal commerce as a means of power created from the street vendor's perspective. This paper aims to evaluate the expressions of the itinerant executors of the practice of informal trade as a means of creating power. To do this, the conception of analysis, using the local practices referring to informal trade, were analyzed as a means of economic sustenance and in the same way, understood among selected groups as illegal. However independent of the local context and the established place. The thesis that follows is that the street trade has a functional character in the obtaining of power by groups; ideological promotion and not just an economic justification. The main findings and results of the research demonstrated that the decisions of the executors of the practice are permeated by a motivation for the illegal practice, which wanders between what is economically necessary and politically permissible. The situation that determines the functionality and applicability of informal trade acts, underestimates compliance with the existence of local trade policies and regulations of social life and instead, they are recognized as legitimate as they belong to groups of political control. Therefore, it contributes to the defense of the hypothesis, based on demonstrating that the practice of ambulance is presented as a valve for attention to unemployment, while it is tolerated as a means of opportunity to the creation of political power independent of the local or regional context.

The Regulation of Informal Trade Credit (Ograyi) in Afghanistan

This article explores the creation, circulation, and regulation of informal trade credit or “ograyi” in Afghanistan. The practice of ograyi allows businesses to access short-term credit, from either their suppliers or third parties, to acquire specified goods. This paper provides an account of the non-legal practices that regulate ograyi transactions. Ograyi vitally depends on the development of trust between parties. Clientelism helps to maintain stable relationships that can offset market unpredictability. Widespread market norms and practices establish the general behaviour of participants. Parties also renegotiate the terms of the contract if circumstances make it impossible for the creditor to repay the loan in the agreed timeframe. Furthermore, bank credit remains largely unavailable or unappealing to many businesses, and the legal system provides limited recourse in the case of contractual breach. Thus, the non-legal practices regulating ograyi serve as a substitute for legal coercion.

Refocusing Urban Planning to the Realities of Informal Trade in Sub-Saharan African Cities: The Case of Kisumu City, Kenya

Recent policy pronouncements in many sub-Saharan African cities strive to accommodate informal trade within city planning realms. Growing appreciation of the potentials of the sector to ease unemployment situation partly informs this effort. However, given inadequate institutional framework, it remains unclear how planning can reconcile this new initiative to resolve “disorderly” spatial patterns that result from informal trade. The paper explores the possibility of utilizing the concept of multifunctional space design in the context of Kisumu City, Kenya to bridge this knowledge gap. Data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews was analysed to characterise the sector, account for its location problem, and understand its potentials for collaborative space production. The study found out that informal trade is more diverse than presently understood. Its location problem is mainly attributable to diminishing space for location. Inadequate planning regime, which sometimes restricts potentials for vertical expansion aggravates this problem. Lastly, the sector has well-organised leadership that steers its innovative use of available spaces to accommodate its diversity. The paper concludes that informal trade does not necessarily present a lack of order. Proactively embracing the sector can thus inspire the production of functional spaces that accommodate its interests and the city’s. We recommend that all forms of informal trade be documented to understand their contribution to the city’s development. Further, the city authority should provide spaces for informal trade to realise its potential in development. Accordingly, planning should build on the structures and innovation of informal traders to co-produce spaces that accommodate multiple users.

Gender and Transport in Haiti: Gender Diagnostic and Gender Action Plan

This technical note encompasses Haiti's gender assessment, evaluates the success of gender specific actions implemented between 2011-2017, and presents a Gender and Transport Action Plan (GAP). The GAPs main aim is to guide investments in Haiti's transport sector in conceptualizing and designing gender-sensitive transport projects. By proposing specific gender actions and outcomes, the GAP establishes a clear path to integrate a gender dimension into operations design, implementation and, monitoring and evaluation. The GAP presents an overall plan to support the development of Haitian women. However, it focuses in the needs of women as transport services users and devotes specific attention to two female sub-groups, comprised by Haitian women engaged in informal trade of local and regional products. These women are known as Madan Sara (MS), and local female mango producers and traders (MPT). The decision of focusing on MS is related to their vital role in the Haitian local labor market and the peculiarity of their work, which has specific transport needs. Understanding and addressing these female groups transport constrains could strategically improve the outcomes of upcoming transport investments and bring more benefits to its beneficiaries.