## Informal Commerce in Downtown Tijuana Impacts Pedestrian Circulation
The flourishing informal commerce in Tijuana’s downtown area is causing significant disruptions for pedestrians, as vendors frequently block sidewalks with their merchandise. Julián Palombo Saucedo, President of the Tijuana Chamber of Commerce for Tourism Services (Canaco), highlighted that senior citizens and people with disabilities are the most affected by this issue.
Palombo Saucedo emphasized that the overcrowding of sidewalks by street vendors leaves pedestrians with narrow passages, which often forces them to walk on the streets, thus increasing the risk of accidents.
“Adults of old age and individuals with disabilities find it particularly challenging to navigate blocked sidewalks safely. This can compel them to step down into busy vehicle lanes, posing a serious risk of being hit by a motorist. We believe that such businesses should be relocated to safer zones that do not impede pedestrian traffic or present hazards to public safety,” he explained.
The problem is most pronounced in Tijuana’s Historic Center, especially around the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Segunda Street and Niños Heroes. Palombo Saucedo noted that while some informal merchants have transitioned to the formal sector, the majority still operate without paying taxes.
He also pointed out that certain individuals manage multiple informal businesses across the city, employing around a dozen workers who lack social security benefits and legal protections, unlike employees in formally established businesses.
“The absence of worker benefits like social security, vacation pay, and healthcare coverage in these lucrative informal businesses is a glaring issue. Such conditions also fail to build employment history, which can severely impact young and adult workers seeking formal employment,” he added.
Palombo Saucedo warned that the lack of official employment history means workers do not contribute to national housing funds, such as Infonavit, or have retirement savings plans like Afore, leaving them without pensions in their later years.
## Secondary Article
### Efforts to Address Informal Commerce in Tijuana
In light of the ongoing issues caused by informal commerce in Tijuana, local authorities and business leaders are exploring various solutions to mitigate the impact on pedestrian traffic and urban congestion.
Recently, local merchants proposed placing trash bins in alleyways to manage the waste generated by informal vendors better. This initiative aims to address the hygiene and cleanliness issues exacerbated by street vendors.
On another front, the Commission of Mobility in Tijuana has been vocal about the traffic problems caused by the influx of unregistered, or “chocolate,” cars. The commissioner attributes the surge in traffic congestion to overpopulation and suggests that stricter regulations are needed to control the number of vehicles entering the city.
Additionally, the local government is under pressure to provide legal titles to residents of Maclovio Rojas, who continue to advocate for property regularization. The goal is to bring more stability and formal operations to the area, which could help reduce the prevalence of informal markets.
These discussions are ongoing, and stakeholders continue to seek a balanced approach that considers the economic benefits of informal commerce while ensuring public safety and order.