A research and design initiative for the informal sector of street food vending in India

Abstract

Street food vending in developing countries, like India, provides convenient, inexpensive, and diverse cuisine to locals and tourists alike, while providing employment to millions of urban poor. However, despite street food’s significant role in the urban food supply, it continues to be perceived as unhygienic and a hindrance to modernization. In many cases it exists as an illegal informal market, with migrant vendors working daily on the edges of busy roadways. The study investigated the nature and operations of street food vendors influencing hygienic practices. The author’s research was conducted through direct and indirect interaction with these vendors, the creation and implementation of questionnaires, and continued investigative collaboration with stakeholders. The findings offered a number of impediments that led to poor hygienic practices. The resulting design solution allows street food vendors to overcome shortcomings, which not only benefits their business but also improve the experience of their customers.