Exploring gender-based spatio-temporal patterns of informal street vending: A case study in Fangshan District, Beijing, China

Abstract

Many studies have shown that, due largely to family and socio-cultural influences, women prefer part-time and flexible employment, which aligns with the character of informal street vending. However, unlike many other workers, female vendors must consider the temporary use of space and co-produce an ever-changing environment that interacts with a diverse range of people with heterogeneous demands, a phenomenon that has received little research attention. Using spatial-temporal behavior mapping and on-site observations at three street spaces in Fangshan District, Beijing, China, we examined the spatio-temporal behavioral patterns of female vendors and explored gender differences in the type, mode, spatial meaning, and time of informal vending in the Chinese urban context. Our results indicate that when vending space is limited, male vendors tend to cluster; female vendors are more dispersed, and more likely to occupy spaces with unfavorable selling environments. When there are fewer vendors on the site, female vendors sell closer to the inner side of the street (i.e., less accessibility compared with male vendors). Most female vendors sell relatively lightweight and small goods with low profit margins. Male vendors tend to occupy fixed stalls and utilize heavier transport equipment, while female vendors are more likely to be flexible in location and use lightweight transport equipment. Furthermore, female vendors are more likely than male vendors to operate during weekdays and in daylight hours than on the weekends and at night. We also attempted to understand the potential reasons for gender differences in temporary space use, and informal socio-economic co-production, in urban street contexts. Our study provides further scientific basis for the promotion of more inclusive, vibrant, and healthy urban environments by considering the largely overlooked group of informal female street vendors and their temporary inhabitation and use of urban street space.