Abstract:
The issue of street vending is common in urban areas across the world but its impact may
vary from country to country. The main objective of this study is to investigate causes and
consequences of street vending in the study area. The research design used in this study was
Cross-sectional survey design and purposive sampling technique was used to take sample
street vendors and government officials. Instruments that used to collect primary data were,
focused group discussion, key informant interview, non participatory or personal observation
and questionnaire. For this, study 170 street vendors were taken as sample respondents. The
study identified that the major causes of street vending activities were unemployment, looking
for better profits, easy to start the business and escape from tax. Fruits and vegetables were
the major commodities of street vendors in Jimma town. However, vending activity serves as
employment and livelihood for peoples. It also causes significant problems in urban areas
such as traffic congestion, narrowing of pedestrian path, Environmental pollution and
reduces the revenue of the municipality, increase crime, and etc. The study also found
alternative measures to minimize negative impacts of street vending such as collecting and
keeping wastes in municipal provided container, setting vending zone, demarcating
pedestrian movement. Finally, the study suggested that the government of Jimma town should
create employment opportunity to reduce rural urban migration; whole stakeholder should
work cooperatively to reduce urban spatial problems, creating awareness towards waste
collection and disposal and registering vendors’ activity for gradual formalization. Therefore
further study is needed on formalizing the sector and strategies to overcome negative impacts
of street vending activities on the growth of town.
