"Globalization: The increasing integration of national economies through international flows of trade, investment and financial capital," (Guinness and Nagle 2002). We know when globalization has hit when you see all the brand name fast food restaurants around every corner, when clothing stores are all brand name. What then happens to our local retailers who can't afford high priced stores to sell in, does this make their product less valuable.
In Chagaunas, vendors used to set up on the side of the streets and sell their goods, not any more. All local vendors were told to pack up and set up their shop in the old car-park of the old Health Center. The white tents that you see are vendors who are now blocked off from the 'walking consumer', their new location is some what out of the way, this then takes away from the values of their goods and services.
Each vendor may have the same as most stores or even better, but their location, their stature in society and the way they are labeled, sends a message to the public that they themselves and their product is less valuable. This has always been a part of our culture, street vending, but they say that the vendors don't fit in. But i say it is the vendors who adds identity to the city, without them every city would just be tall buildings and traffic. Don't you think?
Below is a link to a you tube video about vendor rivalry, funny, but i think it shows how vendors now have to compete for their own space.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm1VHXkN18g
Sources
- Guinness, P. and Nagle, G. (2002) Advanced Geography: Concepts and Cases (Revised edition) Oxon: Hodder Murray, Pg 136.
I totally agree with you, as a stalwart pedestrian. But in urban areas that hold the car as king, we would be in a minority. :(
ReplyDeleteI love street vendors. I like the idea of "hidden" identity. Good work.