Planning for street vendors: case study Bhopal

Abstract

Vending is an essential part of urban life. It provides for both the consumer and the vendor by fulfilling the needs of the population and providing jobs. Before the formulation of National Policy on Urban Street Vendors in 2004, vending activity was seen as an eye-sore. But with the policy release and the verdict of Supreme Court in a 1989 case: “if properly regulated, according to the exigency of the circumstances, the small traders on the sidewalks can considerably add to the comfort and convenience of the general public, by making available ordinary articles of everyday use for a comparatively lesser price. An ordinary person, not very affluent, while hurrying towards his home after a day’s work, can pick up these articles without going out of his way to find a regular market. The right to carry on trade or business mentioned in Article 19 (1) g of the Constitution, on street pavements, if properly regulated, cannot be denied on the ground that the streets are meant exclusively for passing or re-passing and no other use." [Sodan Singh & Others versus New Delhi Municipal Council, 1989] The positive role of street vendors was recognized in providing essential commodities to people at affordable prices and at convenient places. Keeping this intention in mind the aim of the study is to investigate the natural propensity of Street Vendors to locate in various places and provide appropriate planning interventions. Location is an important decision for the blooming of any business. Thus the cropping up of the vendors in particular locations would be analysed in this report through quantitative and qualitative factors that make a location favourable for the setting-up of businesses. These factors would be analysed with current policy framework and improvements would be suggested, where required. Also, suggestions would be proposed based on the primary and observation surveys to plan for better street vending zones for the future in accordance with present guidelines for the same.