Sustainability of the informal sector space in urban areas in the post-covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

The informal sector retailers in Indonesia are considered problems in the urban public spaces and a disturbance of comfort, traffics, views, and environmental cleanliness as a concern during the Covid-19 pandemic period. Until now, the government policies toward the retailers are in the form of eviction. In fact, these activities are actual activities that happen around urban areas, so they must be accommodated. Accommodating those activities is reinforced by its advantage that can provide a livelihood for marginalized people who have a problem due to the pandemic critical events. These activities could be sustainable in urban spaces. Their existence problems were found in Salatiga City, so it’s necessary to study the space as a place for their activities there under the pandemic period. This study aims to examine the retailers’ spaces during the pandemic in Pancasila Square Salatiga City. This study applies a quantitative approach using cross-tabulation to understand the relation of the variables between spaces and the activity characteristics of the retailers. Data was collected using observations and questionnaires. The results describe a suitable location, comfortable place, and sustainable spaces for retailers during the pandemic which will have an impact on the sustainability of the informal sector retailers in urban public spaces.