ABSTRACT

Street hawking has become a global concern and a global phenomenon where in many people have involved into it as a source of employment.  Street hawking has continued to swell due to high rates of unemployment, poverty, inflation, poor education and other related issues. The objective of this study was to examine street hawking and urban disorder in Bamenda II subdivision. The study made use of both primary and secondary data were a sample study was conducted in the neighborhood from Bamenda II.

The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of study consisted of inhabitants of Bamenda II municipality. A questionnaire survey study was used to carry out the research work. Primary data was collected using questionnaires where all the issues on the questionnaire were addressed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Furthermore, interpretations were made based on the results presented on tables, chats and figures. In the analysis, the frequency of street hawking give enough reason why there exist urban disorder as they move from street to street without any control; 83%. With this and more, they get themselves into trouble like traffic congestion; 88% which consequently results to road accidents and other problems.

Street hawking causes urban disorder in several ways including obstruction of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, environmental pollution, noise pollution. It is important for city authorities to regulate and manage street hawking activities to ensure that they do not negatively impact the urban environment and the quality of life of residents. The findings of this study recommends that street hawking contributes significantly to urban disorder in Bamenda II and that effective policy interventions are needed to address this issue. However, it is recommended that the authorities educate the hawkers and promote them to grow to businesses so as to limit street disorder in Bamenda II.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

This chapter focuses on the introduction, which is the basis for this study, background of the study, internship institution, and statement of the problem, literature review, research questions, objectives, hypothesis, and significance of the study. Also, this chapter contains the scope of the study area that’s where the study will be carryout, a geographical description of the study area and definition of terms. In this regards, the literature review which consist of pre-existing materials or secondary material written by different authors about the topic is part of this chapter.

1.2 Background to the study

The study of street hawking and urban disorder is a complex topic that has been the subject of much research and debate over the years. The phenomenon of street hawking is a common sight in many cities around the world, particularly in developing countries, where it is often seen as a way for individuals to earn a living and support themselves and their families. However, street hawking can also be seen as a symptom of broader issues related to urban disorder, such as overcrowding, poverty, and unemployment. The presence of street hawkers can create a sense of disorder and chaos in urban areas, leading to concerns about safety, sanitation, and public health. At the same time, there are also arguments that street hawking can have positive social and economic impacts, such as providing low-cost goods and services to consumers, and creating employment opportunities for marginalized individuals (Timalsina, 2021).

Street hawking and urban disorder has existed for hundreds of years as occupation and considered as a foundation of cultural and historical heritage of many cities. However, the integration of urban informal street hawking in its public places always exaggerated by negative perceptions of the local authority and city dwellers. This undesirable implication has raised many issues such as increase of traffic congestion in many areas, major concerns relating to road safety, poor comfort level of public, degradation in the urban environment, imbalance use of movement space between open and built spaces, and the decrease in the quality of life for the urban dwellers (Rey, 2022). There are not many pedestrian space left and the public face danger and degradation in urban environment with the presence of other restrictions and irritations (that is dirt, noise and visual pollution) thus mobility in the city becomes dangerous as the pedestrians risk their lives between moving traffic and parked cars, thus, increasing unsafe activities especially to the daily user (Bhowmik, 2005).

Carmona (2010) reported the relationship between people and their environment (space) is a necessary component of urban design and consider it in a social dimension. The study added that by creating the built environment urban designers influence pattern of use and thus of social life. Therefore, the pattern of activity not only be determined on the situation but also depends on social, cultural and perceptual context. Place as a function of “activity”, physical ‘attributes’ and ‘conception’. Thus, in this process it is important to find out what activity is associated with, or is expected to take a place within a given place; what the physical features or settings are; and what the conceptions people hold of the activity within the physical environments (Bhowmik, 2005).

In developed countries, street hawking is more advanced than that of the developing world. Street hawkers have for long been part of the urban street life in cities of developed countries. Street hawking, an informal activity has become a permanent part of the urban street both spatially and over time. However, for decades, city authorities have implemented divers repressive measures to manage the informal activities from the urban space as they recognize it as a societal nuisance especially as it contradicts and distorts urban elites and city planners’ image of ‘modern city’. Street hawking is the selling of goods and/or services in public places including in Open Street, sidewalks, alleyways.  Street hawking is a common phenomenon in many developing countries, where individuals, often children, sell goods on the streets to make a living. While the practice can provide a source of income for those who engage in it, it also poses a number of risks and challenges. One of the main issues with street hawking is that it often involves children, who may be forced to work long hours in difficult conditions. These children may miss out on education and other opportunities, which can have long-term consequences for their future prospects.

In addition to the risks to children, street hawking can also create problems for public safety and sanitation. In some cases, street vendors may block sidewalks or impede traffic, which can create hazards for pedestrians and drivers alike. There may also be concerns about the cleanliness of the food or other products being sold, which can pose health risks for consumers. Despite these challenges, street hawking remains a common practice in many developing countries, and it can provide a valuable source of income for those who engage in it. Governments and other organizations have attempted to address some of the risks associated with street hawking, through initiatives such as providing education and training for young vendors, creating designated hawking areas, and improving public safety and sanitation. However, much work remains to be done to ensure that street hawking is safe and sustainable for those who rely on it for their livelihoods (Mitullah, 2011). Street hawking has been the order of the day in many towns and cities of the world. It has been the economic lifeline for many people at the bottom of the economic pyramid in developing world, prevalent within urban and suburban contexts. Street hawking and urban disorder are two sides of a cutlass where one can’t go without the other in developing countries of the world. It has allowed poor, mostly uneducated, unskilled people, to make out a living with no capital investment and without the expense of maintaining business space or formal registration. (Bekeme, 2017).

Street hawking is a common practice in Cameroon, especially in urban areas. It involves the sale of goods and services on the streets, usually by informal traders who do not have a permanent shop or stall. The practice is prevalent among youth, women, and children who are often from poor backgrounds and engage in it as a means of survival. Street hawking in Cameroon is a popular informal sector activity, and it is estimated that over 60% of the population in urban areas is engaged in some form of informal trading. The goods sold by street hawkers range from food items such as fruits, snacks, and cooked meals to household items such as clothes, shoes, and electronics.

Despite its popularity, street hawking in Cameroon is not without its challenges. One major challenge is the lack of proper regulation and management, which has led to issues such as overcrowding, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution. Additionally, street hawkers are often subjected to harassment and extortion by law enforcement agents, who demand bribes or confiscate their goods. Efforts have been made by the government to regulate street hawking in Cameroon. For instance, in 2014, a law was passed to regulate informal trading activities in urban areas. The law provides for the creation of designated areas for street hawking, the provision of basic amenities such as toilets and waste disposal facilities, and the registration of informal traders. However, the implementation of the law has been slow, and many street hawkers continue to operate outside designated areas.

It is an important source of livelihood for many people. While efforts have been made to regulate it, there is still a need for more effective measures to address the challenges associated with street hawking in the country (Bekeme, 2017).

In Northwest Region of Cameron, street hawking is mostly seen barely a month to the end of summer holidays as hawking by parents, children on the street of Bamenda is mostly noticed with claims of fetching their school needs. They hawk items like; banana, Groundnut, fresh corn, pawpaw pineapple among other items.

Street hawking and urban disorder have been very much seen in Bamenda II subdivision precisely at the food market. Street hawking as from the observations is an occupation taken up by migrants when they arrive in urban areas; offering on scale household items, vegetables, cooked food on streets for a living. Street hawking is a situation where vendors stand by or on the street, both the young and the old some of whom carry goods like oranges, vegetables, shoes, etc. in their hand and some on the head, others also set up stands or tables by the roadside and display their wares on them. Urban disorder is refers to situations such as encroachment on roads, disrespect for highway code, poor waste disposal and noise pollution in most urban areas of developing countries. Overall, the study of street hawking and urban disorder is an important area of research, as it has significant implications for urban planning, public policy, and social welfare. By understanding the various factors that contribute to these issues, policymakers and researchers can work to develop effective strategies for addressing them and promoting more sustainable and equitable urban development (Timalsina, 2017). This study will therefore, focus on the street hawking and urban disorder in Bamenda II subdivision.