Introduction

Street vendors form the backbone of informal urban economies, providing affordable goods, services, and vibrant public life. Yet, their everyday workspaces are often precarious—lacking protection from weather, basic infrastructure, dignity, and security.

The Street Vendor Shelter – Shelter That Empowers Livelihood design competition invites architects, designers, planners, and students to rethink the street vendor shelter as more than a temporary structure. The challenge is to create a humane, flexible, and context-responsive shelter that supports livelihoods while enhancing public spaces and urban life.

Objective

The objective of this competition is to design an innovative street vendor shelter that:

• Provides protection from climate (sun, rain, wind)

• Supports daily vending activities efficiently

• Respects the dignity and identity of street vendors

• Integrates seamlessly within urban public spaces

• Is modular, scalable, affordable, and easy to maintain

• Encourages inclusivity, safety, and sustainability

Participants are encouraged to think beyond form and consider social impact, usability, adaptability, and economic empowerment.

The Building Program

The proposed shelter should accommodate a single street vendor unit, with the possibility of replication or clustering.

The design may include:

• Vending/display surface

• Weather protection (roof/shade/rain cover)

• Storage for goods

• Seating (optional)

• Provision for lighting and signage

• Waste management solution

• Space for mobility and flexibility

Designs may be fixed, foldable, modular, or mobile, and should be adaptable to different types of vendors (food, produce, crafts, services, etc.).

Site

This is an open-site competition.

Participants may choose any urban context such as:

• Footpaths

• Market streets

• Transit nodes

• Plazas

• Public parks

• Informal market areas

The chosen site should be clearly explained, supported by context drawings, photographs, or diagrams. The shelter should respond meaningfully to its surroundings.