The Street Food Project: using research for planning

Abstract

Planning that improves life chances of the poor in low-income countries is challenging and difficult. This article describes Equity Policy Center (EPOC's) Street Food Project as a possible model for using an action research project as a planning tool. The project involved participation of municipal officials, university staff, non-governmental organizations, and the vendors themselves in the design and interpretation of data collection. Implementation of proposals for improving the income of vendors and the safety of the food they sell is illustrated by the founding of the Street Food Vendor's Organization in Minia, Egypt. Policy implications of the nine country study, and of the Minia organization, emphasize the impact of carefully designed research. -Author