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

Abstract

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.