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Systematic Review of Informal Urban Economies

Author

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  • Mpendulo Harold Thulare

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa)

  • Inocent Moyo

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa)

  • Sifiso Xulu

    (Department of Geography, University of the Free State, Phuthaditjhaba 9869, South Africa)

Abstract

Amid globalization and market liberalization, urban informality has continued to grow in leaps and bounds in many parts of the world. Against this backdrop, the purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of studies conducted on urban economic informality at various geopolitical contexts to provide an update on the current state of knowledge in the urban informal economy-related research. A total number of 290 studies were sourced from various academic sources; however, a total number of 166 research papers satisfied the requirements of this review paper. The findings of this paper show that research on the urban informal economy has grown from 2000 to 2021, which is a 22-year period in which this review paper was based. The main themes of urban economic informality research depict it as a multifaceted system that is constituted by inputs, processes and outputs that have linkages with the formal economy. Based on these findings, it is recommended that more research should focus on how to integrate research on urban economic informality into the broader agenda of sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Mpendulo Harold Thulare & Inocent Moyo & Sifiso Xulu, 2021. "Systematic Review of Informal Urban Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11414-:d:657434
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lina Martínez & John Rennie Short, 2022. "The Informal City: Exploring the Variety of the Street Vending Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-18, June.

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