Integrating Street Vendors as Economic Influencers in the Planning of Metropolitan Cities- Lessons From the Study of Street Vendors in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

The street vendors act as economic influencer in metropolitan cities because of their presence especially low income can bid routine items at low price. Street vendors not only fulfil the financial needs of their families, provide supplies to various formal enterprises, create jobs for co-workers, generate revenue through penalties and indirect taxes and reduce unemployment.This research paper highlights the contribution of street vendors in the economic state of an urban dweller by quantifying the number of dependents which rely on the vendor for their well-being and satisfaction level of the vendors regarding aspects like, attitude of regulatory authority and business safety also determines major challenges in their business and the economic factors that pushed them in informal sector. Lamentably there is insufficient research done in this area and this research gap has motivated researchers to grab the attention of local policymakers towards this significant aspect of an urban economy. Keywords: Street Vendors; Local Economic Influencer; Business Safety for Vendors; Planning for Local Economic Development