Abstract

The ubiquitous phenomenon of informal street vending emerges in contemporary Chinese cities, including Beijing and Guangzhou. Many studies on street vending focus on spatial governance, informality, mobility and conflicts, while gender differences in informal spaces have been ignored. This study selected three representative sites that engaged many street vendors and pedestrians in Fangshan District, Beijing. Using the spatio-temporal behavior map (STBM), we collected nine vending types, five age groups and gender information during four time periods of a day and nine days (including weekdays and weekends). After building a GIS database, we analysed spatio-temporal behavior patterns under the gender perspective. The results show that female vendors mostly sell small quantities, perishable and less profitable goods; Male vendors occupy more fixed stalls and complicated transportation equipment, while female vendors have more mobile stalls and more convenient transportation equipment; The proportion of female vendors is more in the morning than that at night. We argue that gender differences have a significant impact on the street vending types, the selling methods and the selling times. Our findings provide a scientific basis for creating inclusive street spaces for female vendor groups and enhancing the urban vitality.