Recent research has underscored the central role of local authorities in shaping sustainable urban logistics. Although European directives have long encouraged greener freight solutions, French planning documents have historically paid limited attention to logistics. A new study, analyzing 121 local authorities, provides fresh insights into how urban logistics is being gradually integrated into local public policies, and how national initiatives, such as the InTerLUD program, are accelerating this shift.
The findings show a heterogeneous landscape. Large metropolitan areas, particularly those with populations above 250,000, demonstrate higher levels of maturity in developing urban logistics strategies. Smaller municipalities, however, often face severe resource constraints. This imbalance confirms earlier observations by Ducret et al. (2016) and Kiba-Janiak (2017): while Paris and other major cities are advancing, many smaller authorities lag, mainly due to limited staffing and financial capacity.
InTerLUD has emerged as a key facilitator. By promoting voluntary charters that engage both public and private actors, the program encourages local authorities to adopt coordinated strategies. It provides methodological support, governance tools, and a framework for diagnosing logistics needs. Importantly, InTerLUD introduces a normative influence, encouraging local authorities not yet involved to join, both through the legitimacy conferred by national recognition and the demonstration effect of peers.
Nevertheless, challenges remain. Voluntary charters alone have shown limited impact, a concern highlighted by the French Senate in 2022. Unlike similar efforts in Northern Europe, these charters have not consistently translated into concrete policy actions. To address this, InTerLUD has expanded its support, aiming to help implement 120 operational measures across France between 2023 and 2026. Sustaining structured dialogue platforms and multistakeholder governance remains essential for transforming commitments into practice.
The study also confirms broader European trends. Resource allocation has a “cascade effect”: more staff and financial resources lead not only to better strategies but also to stronger governance and more effective action. Conversely, small and medium-sized authorities continue to struggle, as reflected in findings by Lindholm (2012). Political support emerges as another decisive factor. As Shrestha (2024) notes, urban logistics has become politicized—no longer a technical issue alone but a matter of governance and public priority.
In conclusion, the research highlights significant though uneven progress in France. National programs such as InTerLUD can reduce disparities by providing legitimacy, resources, and practical tools. Yet the real test lies in moving from voluntary commitments to sustained implementation. Strengthening multilevel governance, enhancing political backing, and ensuring inclusive decision-making among stakeholders will be key to embedding sustainable urban logistics across all French territories.
References
- Ducret, R., Lemarié, B., & Roset, A. (2016). Cluster analysis and spatial modeling for urban freight. Journal of Transport Geography, 54, 11–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.05.010
- Kiba-Janiak, M. (2017). Urban freight transport in city strategic planning. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 24, 4–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2017.05.002
- Lindholm, M. (2012). How local authority decision makers address freight transport in urban areas. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 39, 134–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.03.097
- Shrestha, A. (2024). Urban logistics governance: From optimization to politicization. Routledge.
- Strale, M. (2019). Governance of the transport system: Consolidating the multilevel approach. European Planning Studies, 27(3), 467–484. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2018.1552528
- French Senate. (2022). Report on urban logistics policies and voluntary charters. Paris: Sénat.
- French Government. (2023). InTerLUD: Operational actions for sustainable urban logistics 2023–2026. Paris: Ministère de la Transition Écologique.