Areas for Improvement

To better support the dynamic relationship between vendor activities, traffic, and other spatial uses of the intersections, it is important to acknowledge various elements of each space that limit vendor livelihoods, curtail effective traffic flows, and compromise pedestrian safety. There are significant pedestrian and vendor safety issues at both Wato and Cathedral Junctions that need to be addressed. Additionally, vendors at each site face numerous challenges related to their overall well-being. Clarifying the dimension and scope of these areas for improvement is key to ground potential recommendations that reflect the need, urgency, and process for change.

Both intersections present a dangerous environment for

pedestrians. There is insufficient space and protection for pedestrians at Wato and Cathedral Junctions. Limited sidewalk space at Wato Junction is insufficient to accommodate the high volume of pedestrian traffic, forcing pedestrians onto the roadway and encouraging unsafe behaviors like jaywalking. Obstacles such as pedestrian guardrails, motorcycle parking, construction debris, and poor sidewalk maintenance also block sidewalks, corralling pedestrians into the unsafe center of the intersection. Street hawkers face particular difficulty in accessing sidewalks from the roadways where they vend. While Cathedral Junction has sufficient sidewalk space on the outer edges of the intersection, there is insufficient protection for pedestrians wishing to cross. Crosswalks are ill-placed, without wheelchair accessibility, and with physical obstacles such as trees and billboards. These issues discourage the use of designated crosswalks. Sidewalk barriers also disincentivize the use of sidewalks by vendors pushing carts or carrying heavy loads.

Moreover, rash driving by motorcyclists puts everyone at risk. Motorcycles drive through the pedestrian traffic islands at Wato Junction and make other unpredictable maneuvers that are difficult for pedestrians to avoid. The danger posed by motorcycles weaving through traffic lanes is also a major safety challenge facing vendors in Cathedral Junction.

Physical infrastructure is poorly

maintained at both sites. While vehicle signals are maintained at both intersections, several pedestrian signals at Cathedral Junctions are uninstalled, do not function, or are out-of-sync with traffic signals—posing serious threats to pedestrian safety. Pedestrians at both intersections cannot see around turning lanes to check for oncoming vehicles. Pedestrian light phases are also too short for slower-moving pedestrians to cross the wide, high-speed roads at Cathedral Junction and to accommodate the very high pedestrian volumes at Wato Junction. Furthermore, poor street lighting at both intersections makes it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians at dark hours. This problem is particularly acute at Wato Junction, where the evening rush period sees thousands of pedestrians crossing the streets. Improving pedestrian signals and street lighting could have significant benefits for pedestrian safety.

Other broken or missing infrastructure hampers safety and cleanliness at both sites. Sidewalks are broken, slanted, or obstructed in many locations throughout Wato and Cathedral Junction, presenting trip hazards and forcing pedestrians and vendors into the roadway. Additionally, the WWS team did not observe any public trash cans or other waste management infrastructure at either intersection (beyond those provided by vendors).

Vendors face vulnerabilities in their economic and physical

well-being. Many vendors report that their vending activities provide barely enough income to cover their family expenses. Several expressed the desire to sell a higher quality product or own a formal stall, but lack the capital to expand their businesses. Moreover, vendors have little access to formal social safety nets, and vendors are unaware of the social protection programs for which they are eligible.

Moreover, vendors engage in strenuous and dangerous work. Most vendors work long hours and put physical strain on their bodies by standing for extended periods of time, carrying heavy products on their heads or pushing heavy carts. For street hawkers, particularly in Cathedral Junction, there is the added danger of working amidst moving traffic.

Street vendors’ relationships with authorities are strained

and fraught with tension. Even though vendor-AMA relations have reportedly improved in recent years, vendors still live in fear of eviction or product confiscation by the AMA. Additionally, there is confusion as to the legal framework and taxation policies faced by informal vendors, which creates inefficiencies in policy response.