This paper synthesizes recent research and evidence on urban policies and local government practices as they relate to street vending, one of the most visible occupations in the informal economy. It presents the latest available evidence on the size, composition and contribution of street vending, and reviews the rich literature on street vending as well as media coverage reflecting the extent of exclusionary policies and practices. While many analyses explore the reasons behind evictions and relocations through case studies, this paper draws on participatory methods and surveys to examine the more "everyday" challenges that street vendors face, even when licensed. The data demonstrate the livelihood impacts of generalized workplace insecurity, harassment and confiscation of merchandise on street vendors' earnings, assets and time. We briefly explore the models of organizing and policy approaches in Ahmedabad, India and Lima, Peru, where collective action among vendors has resulted in more innovative policy approaches. We argue that legislative reform and greater transparency in the content and implementation of regulations are needed, combined with the political will to challenge the appropriation of strategic urban spaces by more powerful interests.

Millions of people worldwide make a living selling goods on the streets. This article traces the ebbs and flows of exclusion and inclusion of street traders from Durban's public spaces from the 1920s to the present. It shows that over time the city has, variously, expelled traders, allowed unmanaged trading and actively incorporated traders into urban plans. It suggests that there is an ongoing struggle for access to the streets, and draws attention to the role of the national and local state, as well as local political struggles. The history of street trading in Durban provides useful material for understanding marginality and informing policy.

The idea of a 'second economy' has become a feature of recent government economic policy. In this paper we focus on one important element of the second economy -the informal economy. We analyse the nature of the informal economy in South Africa, providing some descriptive statistics and analysis to highlight the nature and extent of the informal economy. Given the present prominence of the 'second economy' concept, we provide some analysis of the efficacy of current government support measures to the informal economy, concluding that these are few and far between, patchy and incoherent, and largely ineffective. We then examine linkages between employment in the formal and the informal economy arguing that, contrary to the views of the President and the ANC, there are in fact fairly close linkages between the formal economy and the informal economy. Finally, by way of conclusion, we use the evidence provided in the paper to comment on the accuracy and relevance of the 'second economy' concept.

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II. thE SIzE, compoSItIon and contrIbUtIon of thE (Urban) Informal EconomyAccording to the United Nations, in 2014, 54 per cent of the world's population was urban.