Reasons for Street Vendors to Use Public Space

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 58 views

The Spatial Study of Street Vendors in the Corridor of Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Aksara: Between Difficulty Structuring and Socio-Economic Impacts

Introduction

The phenomenon of street vendors, also known as PKL (Penjual Kaki Langsung), is increasingly widespread in big cities, including Medan. Their existence is a serious concern because it creates various problems, especially related to public spatial planning. The case study in the corridor of Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Aksara, Medan, aims to uncover the behavior of street vendors in utilizing public space and their impact on the surrounding environment.

Background

Street vendors have been a part of urban life for centuries, providing essential goods and services to the community. However, their existence is often associated with negative impacts, such as congestion, flooding, and aesthetic decrease. In Medan, the growth of street vendors has been rapid, with an estimated 10,000 vendors operating in the city. The corridor of Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Aksara is one of the most densely populated areas, with a high concentration of street vendors.

Methodology

This study uses a quantitative approach with data collection through field observations and interviews using questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS software version 12, involving crosstab and chi-square analysis. The study aims to identify the factors influencing the growth of street vendors, their typology, types of merchandise, trading locations, trading aids, and reasons for using public space.

Results

The study reveals several interesting factors:

Tribe and Kinship Factors

Tribe and kinship are factors that influence the growth of the number of street vendors at the study site. The existence of family bonds and solidarity between traders from certain tribes contributes to the increasingly dense existence of street vendors in the area.

PKL Typology

PKL in this area is divided into two groups: Mobile traders and settled traders. Moving traders generally use carts or stroller trains, while traders settled to build semi-permanent stalls.

Types of Merchandise

Types of merchandise sold by street vendors in this area vary, including fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat/chicken, and other household needs.

Trading Location

PKL uses various public areas to sell, including roads, sidewalks, and shoulders of the road. Limited space causes no clear boundaries between traders, giving rise to the impression of slums and irregular.

Trading Aids

PKL uses various tools to sell, such as tables, stroller, stalls, and beca goods.

Reasons for Street Vendors to Use Public Space

PKL options to sell in public spaces due to the large number of buyers in the area. The existence of street vendors in crowded locations such as Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Aksara are considered effective to reach many consumers.

Negative Impact of PKL

The existence of street vendors causes a number of negative impacts, including:

Congestion

The placement of stalls on the road and sidewalk bodies can hamper traffic flow, especially during rush hours.

Floods

Placement of stalls in waterways can clog water flow and increase the risk of flooding.

Aesthetic Decrease

The presence of stalls that are not neatly arranged and the presence of waste around the location can reduce the aesthetic value of the environment.

Positive Impact of Street Vendors

On the other hand, street vendors also have a positive impact:

Opening of Employment

Work as a street vendor is an alternative to livelihoods for some people who have difficulty getting formal jobs.

Recommendation

Seeing the complexity of the problems encountered, it is necessary to make efforts to arrange street vendors in the area of Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Aksara in an integrated manner. This effort requires a synergy between the government, street vendors, and the community. Some solutions that can be considered:

Spatial Planning

The government needs to provide special areas for street vendors, such as traditional markets or culinary centers, which are equipped with adequate facilities and infrastructure.

Application of Regulations

The government needs to apply clear rules regarding trading permits, operating hours, trading locations, and arrangement of stalls.

Increasing Awareness

Community needs to be involved in the efforts to arrange street vendors through educational and campaign programs.

PKL Capacity Building

The government needs to provide training to street vendors to increase their knowledge and skills in trading and managing businesses.

Through collaborative efforts, it is expected that the structuring of street vendors in the area of Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Literacy can be carried out effectively and sustainably. Structuring efforts that pay attention to the balance between street vendors and public interests, can create a more orderly, aesthetic and sustainable public space.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of understanding the behavior of street vendors in utilizing public space and their impact on the surrounding environment. The findings of this study can contribute to the development of effective policies and strategies to manage street vendors in Medan. By addressing the complexity of the problems encountered, it is possible to create a more sustainable and equitable public space for all stakeholders.

Limitation

This study has several limitations, including:

The study only focuses on the corridor of Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Aksara, which may not be representative of the entire city.
The study relies on quantitative data, which may not capture the nuances of the complex issues involved.
The study does not explore the perspectives of other stakeholders, such as local residents and business owners.

Future Research

Future research can build on the findings of this study by:

Conducting a more comprehensive study that covers the entire city.
Using qualitative methods to capture the perspectives of other stakeholders.
Exploring the impact of street vendors on the local economy and community.

By addressing the limitations of this study and building on its findings, it is possible to develop more effective policies and strategies to manage street vendors in Medan and create a more sustainable and equitable public space for all stakeholders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Spatial Study of Street Vendors in the Corridor of Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Aksara

Q: What is the main objective of the spatial study of street vendors in the corridor of Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Aksara?

A: The main objective of the study is to uncover the behavior of street vendors in utilizing public space and their impact on the surrounding environment.

Q: What are the factors that influence the growth of street vendors in the study area?

A: The study reveals that tribe and kinship factors, as well as the existence of family bonds and solidarity between traders from certain tribes, contribute to the increasingly dense existence of street vendors in the area.

Q: What are the types of merchandise sold by street vendors in the study area?

A: The study shows that street vendors in the area sell a variety of goods, including fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat/chicken, and other household needs.

Q: Why do street vendors use public spaces to sell their goods?

A: Street vendors use public spaces to sell their goods because of the large number of buyers in the area. The existence of street vendors in crowded locations such as Jalan Arif Rahman Hakim and Jalan Aksara are considered effective to reach many consumers.

Q: What are the negative impacts of street vendors on the environment?

A: The study reveals that the existence of street vendors causes a number of negative impacts, including congestion, flooding, and aesthetic decrease.

Q: What are the positive impacts of street vendors on the community?

A: The study shows that street vendors also have a positive impact, including providing employment opportunities for some people who have difficulty getting formal jobs.

Q: What are the recommendations for managing street vendors in the study area?

A: The study recommends that the government, street vendors, and the community work together to arrange street vendors in an integrated manner. This can be achieved through spatial planning, application of regulations, increasing awareness, and PKL capacity building.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including the focus on a specific area, reliance on quantitative data, and lack of exploration of other stakeholders' perspectives.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research can build on the findings of this study by conducting a more comprehensive study that covers the entire city, using qualitative methods to capture the perspectives of other stakeholders, and exploring the impact of street vendors on the local economy and community.

Q: What are the implications of the study for policy-making and urban planning?

A: The study highlights the importance of understanding the behavior of street vendors in utilizing public space and their impact on the surrounding environment. The findings of this study can contribute to the development of effective policies and strategies to manage street vendors in Medan and create a more sustainable and equitable public space for all stakeholders.

Q: How can the study be applied in other urban areas?

A: The study's findings can be applied in other urban areas by considering the specific context and needs of each location. Urban planners and policymakers can use the study's recommendations to develop effective strategies for managing street vendors and creating a more sustainable and equitable public space.