Social, commercial and economic diversity. Poverty and expectations among street vendors in Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia

• Published in: Cities 2023-09, Vol.140, p.104448, Article 104448
• Main Authors: Peláez-Higuera, Johanna, Calderón-Hernández, Gregorio, Serna-Gómez, Héctor-Mauricio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Colombia; Informal economy; Intermediate city; Perspectives on relocation; Street vending
• ISSN: 0264-2751
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2023.104448

In Colombia, over 50 % of the working population is employed in the informal economy, including street vending. This research aimed to analyze the socioeconomic conditions of street vendors located in public spaces of Florencia, Department of Caquetá, Colombia. The study examined the vendors' socioeconomic and commercial heterogeneity through gender, age, educational level, migratory status, income, type of goods and services they offer, and use of public space. To address this objective, we conducted 190 surveys and 39 interviews. This study shows the multifaceted nature of street vending and the vendors' perspectives on possible relocation, which is important for the development of public policies, especially since the research was carried out in an intermediate city. •The research was carried out in an intermediate city, which have been little studied in terms of informal economy and street vending.•The research allowed the analysis of the push-pull paradigm in Street Vendors migration.•The study made it possible to contrast the gender discrimination in informal economy and Street vending.•The research provides insight into the variability in street vending related to poverty and other factors of vulnerability as forced displacement.•The research identified key elements related to relocation and formal employment that contribute to the formulation of public policies.