New York City boasts more than 10,000 street vendors, whose ubiquitous hot dog carts and art stalls and mango stands are woven into our urban landscape.

Over the past decade, the city's "quality of life" crackdown has made it increasingly difficult for these small businesspeople to earn their livelihood in public space. That said, street vendors can - and should - play a key role... [read more]

New York City boasts more than 10,000 street vendors, whose ubiquitous hot dog carts and art stalls and mango stands are woven into our urban landscape.

Over the past decade, the city's "quality of life" crackdown has made it increasingly difficult for these small businesspeople to earn their livelihood in public space. That said, street vendors can - and should - play a key role in activating these spaces.

In connection with Urban Design Week, the Design Trust, Street Vendor Project, and Columbia University's Street Vendor Planning Studio are teaming up to explore the opportunities and challenges at the the intersection of street vending and public space.

We'll convene in the a privately-owned public space (POPS) in the heart of the Financial District for food and discussion. A selection of small-scale street vendors will be selling light fare; cups, plates and utensils will be provided.

Transit:
N/R Whitehall
4/5 Bowling Green
2/3 Wall Street
J/Z Broad Street

For more information on vendors' role in urban life, check out the Street Vendor Project: http://streetvendor.org/about.

Image courtesy of the Center for Urban Pedagogy's stellar Vendor Power! project: http://makingpolicypublic.net/index.php?page=vendor-power