4.3. Prioritize Engagement Over Income

Though there are no markings on the street for disability access4street vendors tend to leave adequate (5ft) space for wheelchairs. Street vendors use packaging material, baskets and bikes to display their products. The street sections are drawn as per observations and measurements taken in October 2021.

Street vendors occupy both sides of the sidewalk as a result creating comfortable enclosures for pedestrians. Enclosures create the illusion of protection against vehicular traffic and moving cars on the adjacent road.

● Income

An estimated 100 out of 120 street vendors observed appeared to be elderly asian women. 5 As per interviews, street vendors use income from vending to contribute to satisfying household needs. Street vendors sell excess produce from kitchen gardens, second hand clothes and utensils.

Figure 4 - Street Vendor’s Products Note : Observation Date Friday, 22nd of October 2021. Source: (Chandra et al.)

4 According to Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 5 (Chandra et al. 2021)

Figure 4 showcases the items that are being sold by street vendors. According to multiple observational studies, as of October 2021, approximately 120 stationery street vendors sell homegrown fresh produce, house plants and dry supplies. The variety of produce ranges from staples, such as onions and peppers, to ribbed chinese tomatoes. According to interviews, street vendors sell homegrown surplus produce. However, some of the dry supplies are from emergency care packages offered by the community organizations.

● Engagement

My team and I compared pedestrians' reactions with street vendors' and without street vendors.

Figure 5 - Pedestrian interaction Comparison Between Sidewalks A (with street vendors) and Sidewalk B (without street vendors) Note - Observation Date Friday, 22nd of october 2021. Source: (Chandra et al. 2021)

As per our study, more pedestrians slowed down or stopped on Sidewalk A (with street vendors) than on Sidewalk B (without street vendors). Even though there weren’t too many people buying from the street vendors, their presence initiated interactions. Therefore street vendors are an attraction that activates

the street.

6

Also, we observed that street vendors were in constant communication with each other. Even though we could not understand the topic of conversation, it made us feel a part of something bigger. Sidewalk B was quieter because of the absence of discussion sounds from the street vendors.

Therefore, the city should transform its outlook towards street vendors, considering their potential from income generation methods to agents of street activation.

6 (Kim, 2015)