Spatial arrangement of street vendor areas based on environmental physical elements (a case study in Jakarta, Indonesia)

Rapid urbanization in Jakarta has intensified informal sector activities, particularly street vending. While playing a vital socio-economic role, this informality frequently generates spatial conflicts within the public realm. In Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones, these tensions are significantly amplified, high pedestrian footfall and constrained spatial capacities create direct competition between mobility, accessibility, and informal economic activities. This study investigates the spatial management of street vendors around Kebayoran Station, a dense TOD hub in South Jakarta. By analyzing six physical elements: land use, building form, circulation and parking, activity space, pedestrian pathways, and vegetation, the research assesses how vendor distribution affects urban sustainability and public space quality. Utilizing field observations, surveys, and cross-tabulation analysis, the findings indicate that vendors strategically cluster in high-footfall areas with limited regulatory oversight, often obstructing circulation and occupying setbacks. Land use and pedestrian pathways strongly shape vending patterns, while limited vegetation and poor infrastructure reduce environmental quality. To mitigate these conflicts without compromising vendors’ livelihoods, this study proposes a framework for adaptive spatial integration, specifically recommending designated vending zones, formalized circulation systems, inclusive pedestrian areas, and enhanced greenery and facilities to improve order, safety, and sustainability. Ultimately, the findings emphasize that achieving sustainable urban livability in TOD areas requires moving beyond exclusionary policies toward inclusive spatial management that formally accommodates the informal economy.