1. Rationale

10 am PST in Oakland Chinatown, Oakland, CA

I walk along the sidewalks in Oakland Chinatown, to identify issues with the pedestrian circulation for the Department of Transportation in Oakland. On my way, I see a crowd emerging from the corner of 9th and Webster street. In curiosity, I camouflage myself in the crowd and sway in the crowd’s direction. It is loud and chaotic. I overhear but do not understand conversations. The crowd follows a unique rhythm. The tempo of the crowd slows down near street vendors. Street vendors are sitting on the floor abutting the brick and mortar store fronts. I locate them on my sketched street map and move on to my next task.

11 am PST UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

To understand the existing engagement process, I analyzed the engagement sections of future proposal documents in Oakland Chinatown. The street vendors did not make it to the list of potential or existing stakeholders of the public realm. On further investigation through the planning documents, I found directions to apply for mobile food vending City of Oakland. Does permitting adequately recognise street vendors as dignified stakeholders in planning processes?