ASSESSMENT OF STREET TRADING ON SIDEWALKS IN OSOGBO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Trading on sidewalks in Osogbo have been growing rapidly and uncontrolled. They always use public space such as public roads, sidewalks, parks and fields as trading locations. This study seeks to assess street trading on sidewalks in Osogbo, Osun State. The objectives of the study were to identify the major factors leading to trading on sidewalk, challenges faced by people, traders and authority during trading on sidewalk and government efforts in solving trading activities on sidewalks. The survey research design was used for the study; it involved quantitative and qualitative method. Quantitative methods includes: structured questionnaires, personal observation and interview approach in data collection. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select well establish street trading locations on sidewalk and 288 questionnaires were administered in trading locations on sidewalk for traders, motorists, residents and pedestrian based on the availability of the respondent using Purposive sampling technique. The findings show that people continue to engage in trading on sidewalk as a source of employment. The study observed that uncontrolled street trading in the study area is responsible for environmental problems such as obstructions of traffic, pollution and poor sanitary conditions of the streets. It is worthy of note that the resident, motorists and pedestrians are affected by the activities of the sidewalk traders. There are governments policies on street trading on sidewalks in the City but majority of the traders were ignorant of such policies and locate their business at will. Based on the findings, it is suggested that street traders must have a voice in urban planning and design processes. Reconsidering and reshaping urban spatial planning and zoning, urban regulations, laws and policies, and urban aesthetics to incorporate voices of street traders.