The Street Economy Archive project examines the influences of parallel economies on social, cultural and political relations as well as their manifestations within the urban everyday life of contemporary cities. We are particularly interested in the influence of these parallel economies on urbanism, public space, street life and the economies of marginalised urban communities.
Street commerce is the most conspicuous form of the informal economy. Because it is so visible, it is subject to constant control and numerous limitations. By exploiting a combination of various economic models and supply strategies, street commerce has been able to remain successful and vibrant. It survives through its adaptability, its mobility, and a feeling for improvisation. When Mexico found itself in the midst of a deep economic crisis in the 1980s, street commerce took over the function of official commerce and supplied all the basic services in the city, from the sale of fresh food and household appliances to the sale of tools and electronic equipment.
Street Economy Archive has recently documented various forms of street commerce in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Venice, Istanbul, Tirana, Madrid and Skopje.