Launch of “Supporting Informal Workers in Public Space: A Toolkit for Local Authorities”
-
February 15, 2019
Launch of “Supporting Informal Workers in Public Space: A Toolkit for Local Authorities”
Informal workers – such as street vendors and waste pickers – who work in public spaces play a central role in urban economic and social life in cities around the world. But, in today’s global economy, local authorities face pressure to privatize, commercialize and securitize public space. This reduces the amount of public space available for regulated use by citizens, including informal workers. How can local authorities balance these competing interests? And what can they do to promote inclusive public spaces?
On February 15, 2019, Supporting Informal Workers in Public Space: A Toolkit for Local Authorities was launched. This toolkit was developed by WIEGO with the support of the Cities Alliance.
Two of the Toolkit’s authors, Jenna Harvey and Sarah Reed provided an overview of the contributions of informal workers in urban economies and public space, and outlined why local governments should make policies and institutionalize governance systems that enhance these benefits at the event. They also introduced resources for achieving this objective: tools for data collection, considerations for regulatory system design, and principles for long-term management through participatory governance.
The event was opened by representatives of Cities Alliance and included expert commentary from Setha Low, Director of Public Space Research Group at CUNY and renowned scholar of public space and Matthew Shapiro Legal Director for the Street Vendor Project, a membership-based organization representing New York City’s street vendors.
Questions were taken at the event and virtually via Twitter. Follow #PublicSpace4All & @WIEGOglobal for updates!
More information
Visit WIEGO’s Public Space Page
Read How Cities Can Achieve Public Space For All
Read Strategies for Street Vendors to Create “Public Space for All”
