A multi-perspective analysis for the better understanding of urban freight transport challenges and opportunities in Montevideo

Abstract

Population growth has been followed by an increase in the share of residents in urban centers, in developed countries as well as in the least developed. These areas of high population density generate an increase in commercial activity, being urban freight transport a key factor, in account of providing the goods commercialized in its stores. Urban logistics presents a series of hard-to-solve issues, and the models which seek to align the interests of the various stakeholders in the search for solutions are scarce. The aim of this article is to present a framework to understand the needs of the different stakeholders, and, in this way, to facilitate joint working with the goal of finding solutions for a better management of urban freight transport. It was found that there are many different regions that coexist within the same city, which makes evident that not all solutions are applicable to all of them. By studding deeply one of these regions, it can be inferred that not all cities are prepared for the current challenge that urban freight transport encompasses. The choice of a multi-perspective study appeared to be convenient to address the complexity these process, allowing the researcher team to gather a comprehensive view of this reality. These various aspects were shown in a workshop that included representatives of each of the stakeholders’ groups. In this workshop, the different distribution strategies and regulations that could be implemented in the short and medium term were deeply discussed.