ABSTRACT
Urban planning authorities exist in order to create ‘picture perfect’ cities and towns. In the African context, this often means towns without bustling markets, bus stops and streets. The informal sector, which dominates most cities on the continent, is an amorphous combination of both the positive and negative aspects of city life in Africa. And there is considerable literature available on the various contributions that this sector makes to the continued existence and growth of cities. At the micro level, individuals and households are sustained while at the macro level, industries are sustained through the distribution of goods facilitated by various low cost informal networks. Even though the informal sector is in many cases undesirable, it nonetheless remains vibrant and continues to thrive in urban settings.
