Alison Brown - The Urban Informal Economy
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Published 2018-10-09
Alison Brown: The Urban Informal Economy
The informal economy is the lifeblood of many cities today. However, diversity makes the informal economy hard to capture in conventional urban policy processes, and for many informal workers precarious and dangerous work, exploitation, harassment, or evictions are a daily threat. Recognising the potential of urban informal workers and their solidarity economy in urban planning, informal settlement upgrading, and recovery from urban violence, disasters and other crises is key to social inclusion of informal workers, to local economic development and to building resilience in 21st century cities. This lecture addresses the challenges and opportunities that the informal economy presents.
The Global Urban Lectures are 15-minute lectures on themes related to sustainable urbanisation, delivered by renowned experts, UN-Habitat partners and UN-Habitat staff. The lectures have been ranked among the best MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) on cities.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN–Habitat) is the United Nations agency working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.
A street vendor - Photo by Alison Brown
Global significance of the IE - Vanek et al. 2014: 8
Components of IE as % of non-agricultural employment - ILO 2013: 9
Informal employment as a % of non-agricultural employment - Herrera et al 2011 (WIEGO) (French research agency DIAL 1-2-3 Method)
Street Vendors in Peru - Photo by Alison Brown
Transport workers, Muhanga, Rwanda - Photo by Alison Brown
Home-based enterprise, Kosovo, Nairobi - Photo by Alison Brown
Dharavi waste recycling - Photo by Alison Brown
Flower sellers, Nairobi - Photo by Alison Brown
Ill-equipped local governments - Photo by Alison Brown
Machinga Complex in Dar es Salaam - Photo by Alison Brown
Community Photo - Alison Brown
Local women - Photo by Alison Brown
Creative design: Brook St, Durban - Photo by Alison Brown
Solidarity - Photo by Regan Doyle
Dandora Uprising Savings Group - Photo by Alison Brown
Post-conflict IEs, Hargeisa - Photo by Alison Brown
Post-Earthquake Nepal - Photo by Alison Brown
Refugee Economy - Photo by Kate Dickenson
Lady selling vegetables - Alison Brown
All Comments (8)
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Very informative. Thanks Prof
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Very interesting lecture and information on the informal economy
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An very enlightening and providing insights which assists in terms of a change in mind set
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Thank you Alison, this is very useful for policy makers.
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Thank you Alison for a very enlightening and educative presentation, as a practitioner in the planning field I agree with most of your submissions except the ability of the informal economy to facilitate economic recovery in post crisis situations. First, this should be contextual. Secondly, research shows that informal economies are highly affected during crises and takes longer to recover.
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Very well explained
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Very informative
