Planning with urban informality: a case for inclusion, co-production and reiteration

Abstract

Based on an embedded case study of street vendor relocation and upgrading and multimodal transport planning in Solo, Indonesia, this paper explores the challenges and opportunities for democratic problem solving and shared value creation at the interface between the informal sector and formal urban planning and development apparatuses. Findings underscore the importance of incorporating diverse knowledge systems, existing forms of social organisation and collective action, and ‘boundary organisations’ in mediating collaboration between ‘informals’ and state planning agencies on inclusive, equitable and co-generative terms, along with policy experimentation, learning and adaptation in the face of urban complexity and uncertainty.