Chapter 20 - City logistics and the urban environment

Abstract

Concern for the urban environment has raised the profile of urban design and streetscape. Recent trends in urban design and traffic engineering are reviewed and the implications for city logistics are outlined. Measures to improve the streetscape and air quality are favoring the greater use of electric vehicles. The role of urban consolidation centers to transfer inbound cargo from large vehicles suitable for intercity use to smaller, quieter, “greener” vehicles for intracity pickup and delivery is described. The emergence of omnichannel retail is changing shopping behavior and widening the range of last mile delivery options to include “click & collect” from stores, delivery to a locker, car boot delivery, in-home delivery, and conventional home delivery. Construction logistics is benefitting from better planning, off-site consolidation centers and, potentially, electric heavy goods vehicles. The significant benefits offered to city logistics by public transport are discussed. Finally the advantages for city logistics and a more sustainable urban environment of a move to a more circular economy, such as that being strived for in Amsterdam, are described.