Spaces of Contention: Tension Around Street Vendors’ Struggle for Livelihoods and Spatial Justice in Lilongwe, Malawi

Street vending is a global phenomenon in both developing and developed countries. While this activity is often framed through clashes between state policy and street vending activities, we argue that it would be a mistake for state actors and critics to ignore nuanced explanations of why street vendors do what they do despite the continuous tension around them. We draw on the case of Lilongwe, Malawi, and other cities in southern Africa, to discuss some observations that can better reflect on how street vending has become such a contentious space that even leads to violence. We conclude that there is a need for sensible urban planning that recognizes informality as a reality, addresses its potential and underlying danger, and redistributes the ordinary people’s struggle for spatial justice. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.