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On the temporal, spatial and structural linkages between informal and formal economic enterprises in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

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Abstract

This paper analyses the temporal, spatial and structural linkages between the informal economic enterprises (IEEs) that have grown and spread in Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and their formal economic counterparts, as well as the impact of the IEEs on the shaping and restructuring of the urban economy. To achieve this, the paper deployed a mixed methods approach which utilised survey and phenomenological case studies on the formal and informal economic enterprises in Bulawayo. The results of this study highlight the linkages between the informal and formal economic enterprises and the impact of political and economic ideology on such linkages, illustrating the spatial layering and patterning of both formal economic enterprises and IEEs in Bulawayo. The main contribution of this paper is its exposition of the impact of political and economic policies of the Zimbabwean nation-state on urban economic enterprises.

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Notes

  1. Makokoba Township is located close to the city centre. The oldest and busiest long-distance bus terminus, commonly known as Erenkin, is also situated close to the suburb. The enterprises included tailoring, hair care services, welding, carpentry, small grocery shops and chicken trading.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Town and Regional Planning, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Trynos Gumbo

  2. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa

    Inocent Moyo

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  1. Trynos Gumbo
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  2. Inocent Moyo
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Correspondence to Inocent Moyo.

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Ethical standards

In collecting and analysing data for this paper, all procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards in terms of upholding anonymity and confidentiality. Informed consent was obtained from all informal economic actors as well as relevant officials included in the study.

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Gumbo, T., Moyo, I. On the temporal, spatial and structural linkages between informal and formal economic enterprises in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. GeoJournal 87, 3119–3131 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10409-2

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