SPACE AND LOCATION OF TRADE AS LIVELIHOOD STRATEGY OF STREET TRADERS IN DHAKA

Abstract

This research explored and investigated the livelihood of the static and semi-static street traders (STs) through their preference of space and location of trade (SLT) in the context of Dhaka. As a mode of tracing the ST livelihood process, this research adopted the concept of livelihood manifested through Sustainable livelihood (SL) approach and framework proposed by The Department for International Development (DFID), UK.The combined theoretical framework in this research underpinned the necessity to adopt pragmatic worldview towards investigating these issues through a convergent embedded mixed methodology. This research, based on its earlier assumption on the role of Street traders’ chosen space and location of trade (SLT), investigated and revealed the evidence that SLT is the crux of the livelihood process of urban space-based livelihood like STs. This study expects to contribute towards a shift in conceptualizing the relationship between the urban spaces and the day-to-day informality; and in the way that impacts the perspective of governing bodies and urban planners towards planning and management of urban spaces in high-density cities of South Asia.