Home-based economic activities; Livelihoods and space in Paramaribo, Suriname

Abstract

In this paper, home-based economic activities (HBEAs) in Paramaribo, Suriname, are investigated using a livelihoods framework. Due to its holistic outlook, the livelihoods approach offers opportunities to combine various concerns pertinent to the scholarly debate on the subject. The main focus of the paper is on the interconnectedness between HBEAs and space. Three dimensions of space are used to structure the discussion: its asset qualities, its multi-level nature, and the spatiality of social life. The paper attests, among other things, to the importance of accessibility and proximity in understanding how various assets are deployed within HBEAs.