Paradigms of street food vending in sustainable development – a way forward in Indian context

ABSTRACT

Street food vending provides many opportunities like market heterogeneity, economic flexibility for the city dwellers and often urban safety. Instead of looking at street vendors as an eye sore, they can be integrated into the urban fabric. The various approaches towards understanding the dynamics of street food vending is explored in this paper through the methodology of literature study. The parameters of sustainable development can be better incorporated through understanding the relevance of street food vending in establishing vibrant public places, as a means to promote healthy food to the urban poor, playing a vital role in augmenting the food security of a city and in strengthening the economic capacity of the city by promoting food tourism. Activities along the street are multivariate, with different actors and activities playing a role. The literature study with respect to India shows the research gap in understanding the paradigms of street food vending. An attempt is made to study the current policies and approaches by Government of India. More in depth analysis need to be effected, with issues pertaining to the India, for successfully incorporating policies and formulating comprehensive approaches in street food vending.

KEYWORDS:

• Street food vending
• vibrant public places
• healthy food
• food security
• food tourism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Reshmi Panicker

Reshmi Panicker is an architect with 16 years of experience in industry and academics. She is currently pursuing her PhD and at the onset of her research has many national and international publications. Her interest lies in the socio cultural impacts on spatiality of our cities.

R. Shanthi Priya

Dr. R. Shanthi Priya completed her PhD in the area of Building Science from Anna University, Chennai, India. She has published research articles in reputed National and International journals with High Impact factor. She has also completed two major research projects sponsored by University Grants Commission (UGC), India.