Equality and Access to Urban Public Open Spaces by the Poor Urban Street Vendors in Dar Es Salaam

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the state of urban street vendors in in accessing open spaces Dar es Salaam. Specifically, the study explored factors influencing poor urban vendors in accessing public space and to examine the functionality and vendors’ opinion on the sustainability of current state of affairs. The study was qualitative in nature with a case study design and was conducted in Dar es Salaam using street vendors and city authority officers sampled randomly and purposively. Data were collected by using interviews and focus group discussions and were analysed by the use of content analysis. Findings reveal that, while the government has taken initiatives to help the operations of street vending business, such initiatives have been successful. Pressing by-laws and actions have been enacted by local authorities influenced by big retail store owner. It is further revealed that due to contradictions among government actors, sustainability of government efforts to enhance the operations of street vending business is questionable. The study recommends the government to enact a national wide policy to govern the operations of street vending business.