Urban Economies and Spatial Governmentalities in the World Heritage City of Antigua, Guatemala

A new mobile form of street vending has emerged in Antigua, Guatemala, due to changes in municipal regulations and policing priorities. This study examines how spatial governmentality—both horizontal and vertical—shapes the economic practices of Maya street vendors within the UNESCO World Heritage City's sociopolitically constructed spaces. By applying Foucault’s concept of 'governmentality,' the research reveals that these governance dynamics influence why certain street economies persist while others evolve, offering insights into the interplay between urban regulation and informal economic adaptation.

Little, W. E. (2015). Urban Economies and Spatial Governmentalities in the World Heritage City of Antigua, Guatemala. Economic Anthropology, 2(1), 42–62. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/sea2.12017