ENCROACHMENTS AND URBAN MOBILITY: A STUDY OF HAWKERS' IMPACT ON SADDAR BAZAAR'S TRAFFIC FLOW"

Abstract

In any civilization, the formal organized sector and the informal unorganized sector are the main sources of resource-generating use for the urban economy. The urban poor in most Asian countries' cities make their living by working in the unorganized sector. Street vending is one way for these urban, impoverished people to make a living. Few hawkers, however, reside near where they work and take buses or two-wheelers to cover considerable distances. Hawkers' invasion indeed limits the amount of space available for commuters and walkers, which leads to traffic jams. One major issue that most people in a large metropolis like Karachi deal with daily is traffic congestion. Saddar is also home to Karachi's major coach station, which makes it extremely difficult to connect to other parts of the city. The unlawful occupation or an international organization's authorized usage of property and land is the reason for the encroachment in Saddar. The municipal authority has occasionally forced these sellers and hawkers out of the Bazaar through  anti-encroachment campaigns. Many alternatives to the traffic plan are presented in the proposal, including rerouting public transportation, removing hawker settlements, and turning Saddar into a pedestrian zone. The ideas underlying this proposal form the basis of a future revitalization plan for Saddar and the area's cognitive map. If this plan is implemented, Saddar may frequently be transformed into the multi-class entertainment and recreational area that the modern, socially divided city sorely needs. Through a questionnaire study, information has been gathered from respondents and Saddar market visitors to identify the primary issues and observe the current circumstances of Saddar residents. Bring back Saddar's traditional way of life and turn it into a destination for tourists and shoppers alike.