The geography of informal sector operations (ISOs): A perspective of urban Zimbabwe

Abstract

Informal sector operations in the urban sphere of Zimbabwe, like in any other developing countries, continue
to rise astronomically. The chief reason for the growth of this sector is nothing but the plummeting economy
explained in terms high urban unemployment rates and consequential urban poverty. By way of a qualitative
methodology, this paper gives a geographical description and explication of the ISO phenomena in the
country. It is noted that geography of this emerging quintessential sector is analyzable in both spatial and
non-spatial variables and parameters including location, operator composition, organisation and support
engaged, returns realisable, services offered and value added. Different urban centre - whether urban proper
or rural-based - shows different patterns of distribution of ISOs. Understanding the dynamics of ISO
patterning and growth is critical for conceptual development, theorisation and policy direction. This is the
thrust of this short paper.