The document discusses whether streets in the global south are inclusive. It notes that historically streets were lively social spaces, but current discourse is limited to developed world contexts. The reality in cities like Dar es Salaam is that streets see active socializing but are male-dominated and lack opportunities for all. Issues include lack of space for activities and unsupportive policies toward informal street vendors. Urban design could play a role in balancing needs and making marginalized groups more visible and included.

1. Street design and the reality of urban life
in the global south:
are streets in the global south inclusive?
Jimly Al Faraby
School of Geography and Planning
Cardiff University
AlFarabyJ@cardiff.ac.uk
Rethinking Global Urban Justice
September 11-13 2017 | Leeds

2. The street as a social place

3. Source: https://studenthandouts.com/world-history/ancient-rome/pictures/
Historically, the street was a lively public place for
festivals, cultural ceremonies, ritual, and social activities
(Hass-Klau, 1998).

4. • The significant role of the street as a social and cultural
space in the city, due to its potential contribution to the
quality of public life in the city and to create
inclusiveness among members of the society (Jacobs, 1961;
Whyte, 1980; Appleyard, 1980; Gehl, 1987; Jacobs, 1993; Mehta, 2009).
• “The key to successful urban places, therefore, is the
transaction base, and this must be as complex as
possible. […] Urban areas and cities must also provide
space for social and cultural transaction, as we shall see”
(Montgomery,1998)

5. Copenhagen, Sep 2013

6. Barcelona, Aug 2017

7. Munich, Aug 2017

8. However...
• “It is culture that structures behaviour and helps explain
the use or non-use of streets and other urban spaces”
(Rappoport, 1991).
• The discourse of the street is still limited to the narrow
range of geographical and cultural settings (especially
from the developed world) (Fyfe, 2006).

9. Therefore...
• Potential bias in the design standard of public space (including
streets), which tends to overlook the socio-cultural, economic, and
political dimensions attached to the space (Townshend & Madanipour, 2008;
Carmona, 2010; Brown, 2006; Oranratmanee & Sachakul, 2014).
• “It quickly became apparent that received design practice was
narrowly focused on the concerns of northern city managers, which
in turn influenced the prevailing ideology of municipality in the south.
Concepts of aesthetics and public order led to a desire to ‘tidy’ and
‘control’ public space, which completely ignored the reality of what
was happening on the ground in low and medium income cities and
the importance of public space to the livelihood of the poor” (Brown,
2006).

10. chaotic
encroachment
disorderly
ugly

11. INCLUSIVE-
NESS
Needs
Demands
Use &
Users
(Langstraat & Van
Melik, 2013)
(Varna &Tiesdell,
2010)
(Nemeth &
Schmidt, 2011)
The more inclusive public space is characterised by a wide range of
activities performed by a large number and diverse users

12. Urban Life in the Global South:
Dar es Salaam City

13. Dar es Salaam Street
Scene
Source: “Street level”, 2011; illustrations by Sarah
Markes

14. Study Area: India Street, Dar es Salaam city centre
Selected Area:
• high intensity of socio-economic activity;
• represents typical/common urban streets in Dar es Salaam City
Center
• represent the image of the city;.

16. Sitting and talking Standing and talking
Standing, reading newspaper,
talking, enjoying fruit
• Active social interactions mostly involve shop workers, parking men, and
informal street traders.
Sitting, resting, and talking
Sitting, eating, and talking Sitting, resting, and talking

17. Social Interaction among Street Users
Source: Business Actors Interview, May 2014
• several forms of active social
interactions involving
pedestrians were observed,
such as greeting, waving,
asking direction, talking to
acquaintances met on the
way, talking with the fellow
pedestrians around street
vendors, or bargaining with
street traders
Pedestrians and social interactions

18. 76.8%
23.2%
76.3%
23.7%
• types of pedestrian activities are
more male-oriented,
• the street does not offer enough
attraction for women.
• the street does not offer much
opportunities for optional
activities for children and elderly
Pedestrians and inclusiveness

19. What's the problem? (1):
The space

20. More space, more activities, more users?

21. What's the problem? (2):
Supporting policies
• Unfavourable policies and attitudes from city authorities trying to
control and limit the existence of informal economic actors, ranging
from obligating strict registration and permit for operation to violent
eviction, displacement and “street cleaning”. For instance:
– In 2003, legislation delegalized street traders by cancelling nguvu kazi (trade
license) for street traders,
– The issuance of The Finance Act 2004 ordering all businesses to be registered
and licensed,
– In 2006, the eviction of informal traders from the street was ordered by the
issuance of a letter from Prime Minister’s Office
– The City Center Redevelopment Plan 2002 also proposed the clearance of street
space from street traders

22. Conclusion
• Are streets in the global south inclusive?
– “Well, it depends..”, socially and politically.
• What role can urban design play?
– Finding the right balance, mediating different needs
and interests of different social groups, including
those who are marginalised and “invisible” on the
street (the poor, women, children, elderly, etc.) in the
local context.