When streets collide: Urban policy responses to informal–formal work conflicts

Urban streets increasingly serve as contested arenas where formal and informal economic activities intersect, generating visible and persistent conflicts. Informal work—such as street vending, mobile services, and temporary labor—directly challenges urban managers, especially in regulating land use, governing public spaces, and shaping economic policies. Although scholars have explored various aspects of these tensions, researchers still lack a comprehensive and systematic understanding of how cities across the world have responded through policy. This study systematically reviews academic and policy literature published between 1980 and 2025 to map the full range of urban policy responses to conflicts between formal and informal work. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study analyzes 297 peer-reviewed articles and policy reports to identify response patterns, regional trends, and conceptual frameworks. It classifies responses into three main types: exclusionary (e.g., evictions and policing), accommodative (e.g., licensing and designated zones), and integrative (e.g., participatory planning and hybrid governance). The findings reveal that although many cities still rely on exclusionary approaches, more inclusive and negotiated strategies increasingly shape urban responses—especially in cities of the Global South. This review offers a clearer understanding of the evolving landscape of urban policy responses and lays the groundwork for more equitable, adaptive, and context-sensitive urban governance.