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The Street as Workspace: Assessing Street Vendors’ Rights to Trees in Hyderabad, India. new paper from @azimpremjiuniv w/ @sukanya360 at https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1atMl_3sEQ7t8s. We focus on one of the most vulnerable groups in cities: street vendors, and their relationship with trees. 1/n
Most contemporary visions for green cities ignore street vendors and fail to consider their uses and expectations of public green spaces. Yet these are the people who know street trees the best, and who need them the most. 2/n
We interview 75 street vendors in 11 market streets in the hot Indian city of Hyderabad. Social hierarchies impact access to trees - there is a pecking order. Women, migrants and small vendors are at the bottom of the hierarchy and get a lower chance of access to a tree 4/n
Urban development & gentrification robs street vendors of their access to trees. Many vendors in Hyderabad lost access to trees after Metro construction. Others were fenced away from roadside trees by private cos, restaurants, builders who restricted access to "their" trees 5/n
Here are some quotes from vendors "“Shade often attracts customers, they tend to spend more amount of time under the shade of the tree. Often other customers join in and have long discussions, and end up buying an extra packet of biscuits. The tree contributes to my income.” 6/n
“This tree is like a home to me, it keeps us away from the scorching heat during summer, and saves us during the rain. A few years back, our house was demolished. I, my wife and our 3-year-old child lived under the shade of this tree for a week. This tree means a lot to us.” 7/n
Sukoon comes up a lot. "“Once I went to my brother’s stall (without trees) to help him when he was ill, and I realized the ‘sukoon’ of sitting under a tree. Every evening I had a terrible headache. I am fortunate enough to find a tree to sit under for the whole day.” 8/n
"“I use the tree as a hanger to dry my shirts that are drenched with sweat”. "“I collect fallen tree twigs to block the ventilation window at home, to keep out pigeons." "“This huge peepal tree is the landmark of my shop. People remember it like that.” 9/n
"“My father used to sit under this tree, now I am the one sitting here. This makes me feel his presence very strongly". “This tree is so close to me - whenever I share my anxiety or worries with the tree, I feel a lot more relaxed.” 10/n
When they lose access? “I used to sit under this tree – it has now been enclosed inside the restaurant in front, to make it pretty." “Earlier 4 of us used to share one peepal tree, the tree was cut as it was in front of a person’s house. Now 4 of us sit in different places.” 11/n
1. There is an intricate bond between street vendors - in the absence of trees, they become even more vulnerable. 2. The unique culture and heritage of Hyderabad are as much a product of its street culture as of its architectural heritage. 12/n
3. Street vendors’ description of displacement from green spaces provides us with insights on impact of gentrification. By beautifying streets, adding railings and fences, enclosing trees, we take away spaces from vendors who used to sit below trees. Dispossession by design! 13/n
4. Rights to city must consider urban planning from perspective of those who live, work on the street. Especially in cities of global South such as Hyderabad, where street vendors play a major role in shaping urban culture & economy. Read https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1atMl_3sEQ7t8s for more 14/end
