Disorders of public spaces

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 64 views

The Role of the Informal Sector in Public Space in Urban Cases: A Study of Merdeka Square Area

Introduction

The informal sector, comprising small businesses and street vendors, is an integral part of urban life. These entrepreneurs provide economic opportunities and cater to the needs of the community, but their existence is often associated with problems in public spaces. This study examines the role of the informal sector in public space in Merdeka Square, Medan, a bustling urban area in Indonesia. The research aims to understand the impact of street vendors on public spaces and provide recommendations for minimizing negative impacts and maximizing positive effects.

The Informal Sector in Merdeka Square

Merdeka Square, a prominent public space in Medan, is home to numerous street vendors selling a variety of goods, from food and drinks to clothing and souvenirs. These vendors operate independently, providing economic opportunities for the community. However, their existence also raises concerns about public space management, cleanliness, and order.

Positive and Negative Impacts

The study found that the existence of street vendors in Merdeka Square has both positive and negative impacts on public spaces. On the one hand, street vendors provide economic opportunities for the community, especially for those who do not have access to formal employment. They also make public areas more vibrant and attractive, drawing visitors and increasing economic movements.

On the other hand, the study revealed that 25.18% of respondents felt very disturbed, 54.84% were disturbed, and 19.35% were not disturbed by the existence of street vendors in Merdeka Square. This indicates that the existence of street vendors in the area does cause several problems, including:

Disorders of public spaces: Street vendors who sell on the sidewalk reduce pedestrian space, making the sidewalk narrow and uncomfortable. Uneven sidewalk conditions also add difficulties for pedestrians.
Cleanliness and order: The existence of street vendors can also trigger problems of cleanliness and order in public areas. Waste and waste from buying and selling activities can pollute the surrounding environment.

Further Analysis

This study also found that Types of merchandise and Physical facilities have a strong relationship with the condition of public space. That is, more and more street vendors sell food and drinks, as well as using facilities such as tents and tables, the greater the potential for disruption to public spaces. Meanwhile, the nature of service, service time, and activity space also has a significant influence on the condition of public space. This shows that the better the service and management of street vendors, the smaller the potential for disruption to public spaces.

Solutions and Recommendations

Based on the results of the study, several recommendations can be given to minimize negative impacts and maximize the positive impact of the existence of street vendors in Merdeka Square:

Development of traders' zones: Medan City Government can provide special zones for street vendors in the Merdeka Square area. This zone can be designed by paying attention to the aesthetics and function of public space, as well as pedestrian needs.
Increasing order and cleanliness: Medan City Government needs to increase supervision and enforcement of rules related to cleanliness and order in the Merdeka Square area, including in the street vendor zone.
Training and Development: Medan City Government can provide training for street vendors regarding business management, cleanliness, and trading ethics. This training can help improve the quality of services and images of street vendors in Merdeka Square.

Conclusion

The existence of the informal sector, especially street vendors, in Merdeka Square has a positive and negative impact on public space. Medan City Government needs to bridge the economic needs of the community while maintaining aesthetics, order, and comfort of public space. Through the right collaboration and strategy, the potential for conflict can be overcome, and the Merdeka Square can be a comfortable, orderly, and beneficial public space for all parties.

Recommendations for Future Research

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of the informal sector in public space in Merdeka Square. However, there are several areas that require further research, including:

The impact of street vendors on local businesses: This study focused on the impact of street vendors on public spaces, but it would be interesting to explore the impact on local businesses.
The role of government in regulating street vendors: This study highlighted the need for government regulation, but it would be interesting to explore the effectiveness of different regulatory approaches.
The impact of street vendors on community engagement: This study focused on the economic impact of street vendors, but it would be interesting to explore the impact on community engagement and social cohesion.

By addressing these research gaps, future studies can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the role of the informal sector in public space and inform policy and practice in urban areas.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Role of the Informal Sector in Public Space

Q: What is the informal sector, and how does it relate to public space?

A: The informal sector refers to small businesses and street vendors that operate outside of formal regulatory frameworks. In the context of public space, the informal sector can have both positive and negative impacts, including providing economic opportunities and contributing to disorder and pollution.

Q: What are the benefits of the informal sector in public space?

A: The informal sector can provide economic opportunities for the community, especially for those who do not have access to formal employment. Street vendors can also make public areas more vibrant and attractive, drawing visitors and increasing economic movements.

Q: What are the challenges associated with the informal sector in public space?

A: The informal sector can contribute to disorders of public spaces, including narrow and uncomfortable sidewalks, uneven sidewalk conditions, and pollution. Street vendors can also trigger problems of cleanliness and order in public areas.

Q: How can governments balance the needs of the informal sector with the need to maintain public space?

A: Governments can provide special zones for street vendors, design public spaces with pedestrian needs in mind, and increase supervision and enforcement of rules related to cleanliness and order. Governments can also provide training for street vendors on business management, cleanliness, and trading ethics.

Q: What are some potential solutions to the challenges associated with the informal sector in public space?

A: Some potential solutions include:

Developing traders' zones that are designed with aesthetics and function in mind
Increasing order and cleanliness through supervision and enforcement of rules
Providing training for street vendors on business management, cleanliness, and trading ethics
Encouraging community engagement and social cohesion through public space design and programming

Q: How can communities engage with the informal sector in public space?

A: Communities can engage with the informal sector by:

Supporting local businesses and street vendors through purchasing and patronage
Participating in public space design and programming to ensure that the needs of the community are met
Advocating for policies and regulations that support the informal sector
Building relationships with street vendors and local businesses to understand their needs and concerns

Q: What are some potential future directions for research on the informal sector in public space?

A: Some potential future directions for research include:

Exploring the impact of street vendors on local businesses
Investigating the role of government in regulating street vendors
Examining the impact of street vendors on community engagement and social cohesion
Developing new approaches to public space design and programming that take into account the needs of the informal sector.

Q: How can policymakers and practitioners use the findings of this research to inform their work?

A: Policymakers and practitioners can use the findings of this research to:

Develop policies and regulations that support the informal sector
Design public spaces that take into account the needs of the informal sector
Provide training and support for street vendors and local businesses
Engage with communities to understand their needs and concerns.

By addressing these questions and exploring the complexities of the informal sector in public space, we can work towards creating more inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable public spaces that meet the needs of all members of the community.