Neighborhood Economy Based on Street Vending: A Case Study of Baked Sweet Potato (Yakiimo) Vendors in Kyoto, Japan

Abstract

Street vending, the buying, and selling of goods in public spaces, has been viewed as an undesirable business practice from the perspective of urban policy and road traffic laws. In addition, it has been generally prohibited on streets, due to regulations imposed by urban administrations. In recent years, a growing body of research has highlighted the importance of incorporating street vending into urban growth strategies, since it functions as both a tourist attraction and a source of employment. However, since street vending is also closely linked to social relations within the community, the dynamics of street vending cannot simply be based on the relationship between the city government and the street vendors themselves. Therefore, this study analyzes the mutual relationship between the vendors of yakiimo (baked sweet potato) in the Demachi district of Kyoto, Japan, the shopping district that rents the premises to the vendors, and the customers who purchase yakiimo from the vendors. This study also examines how the social relations in the community are generated and maintained through such street commerce, forming the neighborhood economy.