Abstract
In Africa, the informal sector as a whole is estimated to account for 60 per cent of all urban jobs and over 90 per cent of all new urban jobs. After home-working, street trading is estimated to account for the largest share of these jobs. Trends in street trading over time are integrally linked to urbanization, migration and economic development processes(Sharma & Konwar, 2014). In this regard, urban planning may be said to be gender blind in terms of informal female activities. Women have had to deal with an urban planning strategy that does not include them. The failure of African planners to plan for informal economy means that they do not plan for women, who form the majority. This situation raised many issues that is should be taken in consideration in urban planning level with regards to the concept of urban equity, and gender equity with correlation to urban spatial systems (Sharma & Konwar, 2014).Women are central to urban planning and Development, both as key users of urban space in their role as home managers, and as bread winners (a city tailored to women). Moreover, the Main issues and trends of gendered perspectives in planning of public open spaces Inclusion; Urban spatial planning has an important role to play in inhibiting or supporting street traders. Most African cities inherit colonial spatial planning where residential neighborhoods were segregated by economic and social classes. This separation has implications for street traders who largely live in poorer parts of the city, when this happen women are one of the vulnerable groups that suffer the most. Furthermore, Women in economic informality are not a homogeneous category (Fallis, 2013). issues such as Infrastructure, safety, accessibility, and Social perception, shifting these perceptions remains a critical challenge, it should be studied to promote gender equity in the urban public open space (Skinner, 2008). This paper investigates the spatial impact of engendered informal work in Khartoum, represented in tea ladies and their role both as users of and service suppliers in public open spaces. This involves issues of gender, space and informal economy. It raises some central questions such as: what are the challenges of working in informal economy for women? what is the spatial distribution of these activities and how did it change with the growing use of services? Are the physical components of public space supporting them as female users?What are the proposed gender mainstreaming strategies that could be tailored to Khartoum context? The objectives of research are: to investigate on the relation of informality and gender work; Track the use patterns of female vendors and tea ladies both as users and as service suppliers, Define the main issues and trends with regards to this model of gendered work. segregated by gender, and propose a gender sensitive strategies, policies and recommendations that could enhance their economic activity, and promote gender equity in the space. The study review the theoretical concepts of gendered informal work as an integral factor in planning of the public spaces. The case study is located in Khartoum in three different neighborhoods with differences in quality of life( ALSAFIA neighborhood first class, SHAMBAT neighborhood third class and ALHAG YOSIF informal settlement) . The main methodology of the research relies on the critical analysis method applied through a direct observation of user behavior on the site, and in-depth interviews, The expected outcomes of the research are; definition of the existed situation , and Set of criteria’s that promote friendly open public space for working women in informal economy in Khartoum.
