The importance of public space in supporting city economies and in contributing to poverty reduction is rarely recognized. Instead, public space is more often an arena for contest--between municipal governments or other vested interests, and street traders, whose activities are proscribed by restrictive social norms, ambiguous legal status, street violence, or an official response that vacillates between indifference and eviction. This book breaks new ground in linking literature on the informal economy, urban livelihoods, and public space. Based on a research study in four developing cities - Dar Es Salaam, Kumasi, Maseru, and Kathmandu - it explores the survival strategies of street traders and their relationships with city governments. It concludes by exploring the practical and policy implications for pro-poor street management. This book is essential reading for all those interested in innovative city governance.

The importance of public space in supporting city economies and in contributing to poverty reduction is rarely recognized. Instead, public space is more often an arena for contest - between municipal governments or other vested interests, and street traders, whose activities are proscribed by restrictive social norms, ambiguous legal status, street violence, or an official response that vacillates between indifference and eviction. Based on a research study in four developing cities - Dar Es Salaam, Kumasi, Maseru, and Kathmandu - Contested Space explores the survival strategies of street traders and their relationships with city governments, and examines the practical and policy implications for pro-poor street management.'This book breaks new ground in linking the literature on urban design, urban livelihoods and the informal economy...it is essential reading.'Tony Lloyd-Jones, University of Westminster.